PUMPKIN MADE SWEET & SALTY

Pumpkin is a type of squash and is a fruit because it contains seeds.

Eating pumpkin is a great way to get many nutrients.  It is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, folate and fiber.  Therefore, eating pumpkin can actually help to improve heart, vision, GI and cell membrane health. 

Canned pureed pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling are are readily available at grocery stores, especially during the fall season.  Pureed pumpkin is cooked mashed pumpkin without any added seasoning whereas pumpkin pie filling contains added seasonings including sugar.  I like to buy canned pureed pumpkin because I can make both savory and sweet dishes by adding different ingredients according to my needs.  So what do I do with a can of pureed pumpkin?  How about an appetizer (pumpkin vegetable soup), an entrée (pumpkin coconut chicken) and a healthy snack (no bake pumpkin chocolate bites)!

My soup recipe is easy and versatile.  Use any vegetables that you have on hand or according to your preference. No chicken broth? No problem, replace it with any broth in your pantry, milk or water.  For more flavor I like to sauté and season all the vegetables before adding the liquid.

Instead of using chicken in this pumpkin coconut chicken recipe, you can use white fish, beans and/or lentils for a meatless meal.  The sauce from this recipe goes well with either rice or pasta. 

My pumpkin chocolate bites is a no-baking required dessert. Patting the pureed pumpkin with paper towels and toasting the oats on stove first helps to give a firmer texture and nuttier flavor. Melt your favorite chocolate in the microwave to save time because everything tastes better with chocolate!

Let me know what do you do with your can of pureed pumpkin?