Pumpkin Everything

October 3, 2012

in Pumpkin

That title pretty much describes my food choices over the last week. It would probably be faster for me to tell you what I have not put pumpkin in. Um…salad…hummus? Although, I’m certain there’s a pumpkin hummus recipe out there. I bet it’s good, too.

Pumpkin Potato Soup with Tofu

In between bowls of pumpkin potato soup, my usual smoothies, snacks, and desserts have all been replaced with pumpkin versions. I wouldn’t exactly call these recipes, but here’s how I’ve been enjoying pumpkin recently…

Pumpkin Protein Shakes

Pumpkin Protein Shake

One cup of unsweetened almond milk, a banana, about a third of a cup of pumpkin puree, half a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, a scoop of vanilla protein powder (I like the Vega Performance Protein), and a handful of ice. Blend and devour. It reminds me of pumpkin cake batter, which is always a good thing.

No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Filling

No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Filling

Okay, so it’s not exactly pumpkin pie filling, but the flavor is similar and it takes like thirty seconds to pull together. Half a cup of pumpkin puree, a couple of tablespoons of full-fat coconut milk, a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, half a packet of NuNaturals stevia, and a small handful of pecans for crunch. Mix everything together and take a moment. This snack is so good.

Pumpkin Banana Soft-Serve

Pumpkin Banana Soft-Serve

I eat some version of banana soft-serve for dessert several nights a week and I have been for years. For some reason, it never occurred to me to add pumpkin. I know! I’m just as surprised as you are. You can make this in the food processor or high speed blender: one frozen banana, one quarter cup of pumpkin puree, scant teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, pinch of xanthan gum (optional, but it helps to thicken it), and just enough almond milk to allow it to blend. You can omit the milk if you’re using a food processor, but I typically need a tablespoon or two to get things going in the blender.

Seriously, why have I not made this sooner?! I actually thought to myself – who needs self-serve fro yo when you can make this? That’s a big deal.

If you’re looking for other pumpkin recipes, I’ve got you covered:

pumpkin_spice_donut

Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread (I’m planning to attempt a gluten-free version soon…)

Individual Pumpkin Custards

Pumpkin Banana Bread

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cups

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Pumpkin Molasses Smoothie

Pumpkin Pie

vegan_pumpkin_pie

What’s your favorite way to enjoy pumpkin? Because clearly, I don’t eat enough of it and I need ideas.

P.S. I just added a pumpkin category. It seemed necessary.

 

{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }

Nikki October 3, 2012 at 10:10 am

Pumpkin hummus: 1 container or regular hummus + about a half cup of pumpkin puree (or more or less–I just eyeball it until it looks pretty orangey) + a Tablespoon of cumin.
It’s so easy and v.v. yummy, I promise!

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Amanda October 3, 2012 at 10:27 am

Sounds great! Thanks!

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christine October 3, 2012 at 10:26 am

I’m working on a gluten-free pumpkin oatmeal scone recipe. Isn’t quite what I want it to be just yet, but I’ll be posting it soon! And I love your no bake pie filling snack idea. Definitely up my alley :)

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Amanda October 3, 2012 at 10:28 am

Pumpkin oatmeal scones sound really good!

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Amanda October 3, 2012 at 10:45 am

I tried to comment on your blog, but my comment wouldn’t go through for some reason…just wanted to tell you that your site is beautiful, and I love your food philosophy that you included on your ‘about’ page. Excited to read more!

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Audrey October 3, 2012 at 11:05 am

Mmm. I can’t wait to try some of these. And just in case you are wondering, here’s a pumpkin hummus recipe. I just saved it the other day! http://www.edibleperspective.com/home/2011/10/18/pumpkin-spice-hummus.html

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Amanda October 3, 2012 at 11:19 am

Thanks for the pumpkin hummus recipe!

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Mai-Lis October 3, 2012 at 12:50 pm

I am totally with you, I think my skin might be turning orange from all the pumpkin. I have a pumpkin chili (complete with pumpkin puree and pumpkin beer) cooking in the slow cooker right now (drooling). I’ll let you know how it comes out! Meanwhile, I’ll be off making some of that soft serve…

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Michelle Collins October 3, 2012 at 1:12 pm

That pumpkin protein shake sounds awesome. I, too, am loving everything pumpkin right now!

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Dixya @ Food, Pleasure and Health October 3, 2012 at 3:17 pm

Everyones talking about pumpkin. love the idea of soft serve pumpkin. have you tried making pumpkin pancakes? those are gooood.

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Amanda October 3, 2012 at 3:44 pm

I haven’t made pumpkin pancakes yet. Those will have to make an appearance soon. :)

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jess October 3, 2012 at 3:36 pm

3 cheers for pumpkin love! i’ve been loving my pumpkin power smoothies in the morning and it’s about time for some of my pumpkin scones too! here’s the link :) http://cupcakesandkale.blogspot.ca/2011/11/pumpkin-scones.html

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Amanda October 3, 2012 at 3:46 pm

Those sound really good, especially with the spiced glaze. And so much better than Starbucks!

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Kathy Steger @FoodWineThyme October 3, 2012 at 9:31 pm

Can I please have some pumpkin spice donuts. :)

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Amanda October 4, 2012 at 7:54 am

haha I need to make some more of those soon… :)

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Megan {Country Cleaver} October 3, 2012 at 11:10 pm

I want a whole mixer full of that pumpkin pie filling. That’s the best part of every Fall.

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Amanda October 4, 2012 at 7:54 am

I agree! I don’t even really care about the pie crust – just give me the filling!

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Lisa Marie @ MidwestVeg October 4, 2012 at 3:07 am

And here I thought I was weird for putting pumpkin in everything for the past week. Err… 2 weeks. That soft serve sounds awesome! Actually, it all sounds awesome, but pumpkin ice cream is something I haven’t tackled yet. Yet…

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Amanda October 4, 2012 at 7:55 am

Not weird at all! You have to try the soft serve – it’s SO good.

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Shana October 4, 2012 at 7:52 am

I recently mixed pumpkin with refried beans to make burritos. Awesome combination! Also, have you thought about pre-mixing the banana and pumpkin? If you freeze it in ice cube trays, it will be small enough to puree in the blender and you won’t lose any of the texture!

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Amanda October 4, 2012 at 7:56 am

The pumpkin/refried bean combo sounds really good, actually. I think I need to try that…
I hadn’t considered pre-mixing the banana and pumpkin, but that’s a great idea!

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Jennifer S October 4, 2012 at 3:08 pm

Love this!

I just made some pumpkin hummus last night! I used a basic hummus recipe, added 1/2 an avocado, about a cup of pumpkin and a touch of cumin, some cayenne, and cinnamon. Yum!

Pumpkin peanut butter cups? Whut! I’m going to have to get on that.

I hate the transition from summer to the cooler months (winter and I do not agree) but I do love pumpkin season! Its my favorite thing about this time of year. Eating and carving pumpkins…2 of my most favorite things! I can’t wait to stock my freezer with fresh pumpkin purees and pumpkin chunks for after pumpkin season!

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Amanda October 4, 2012 at 4:02 pm

I haven’t carved a pumpkin in years. I think I need to get on that! Your hummus recipe sounds great, by the way. :)

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Erica @ Coffee & Quinoa October 5, 2012 at 1:15 pm

Hah, don’t you love how the food blog world just makes you totally obsessed with the next seasonal food? I don’t think I’d ever done anything with a pumpkin except carve it before this year… and now I’ve had it in my oatmeal for 2 weeks straight!

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Amanda October 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm

It’s so true! haha To think I ate my oatmeal plain for all these years… ;)

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Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning October 5, 2012 at 2:21 pm

yeah… I am a pumpkin lover for sure! I make an awesome pumpkin chili (and might have to break out that recipe this weekend!). I like pumpkin in any form I can get it- especially in beer. I will have to try out the pumpkin hummus recipe in some of the comments above!
And you NEED to carve a pumpkin this year. Even if you just get a little one from Trader Joe’s (though you really should go to a pumpkin patch- think about how awesome apple picking was…) My friends and I are going tomorrow evening to pick some- and then coming back to my house for pumpkin beer and a bunch of hearty, plant-based foods for dinner :)

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Amanda October 5, 2012 at 3:19 pm

That sounds like so much fun! I finally tried a Pumpking beer the other day – it was good!

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Lindsey @ Pas de Deux October 7, 2012 at 9:42 pm

My sister just made this pumpkin hummus (no chickpeas!): http://pasdedeuxblog.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1521&action=edit

And tomorrow, I’ll be posting about my week of pumpkin for breakfast. Pumpkin banana soft serve is GENIUS! I’ll have to get on that one soon!

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Amanda October 8, 2012 at 9:41 am

Pumpkin hummus is next on my list! :)

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Lisa G October 8, 2012 at 9:01 pm

Well you said you’ve had pumpkin in everything but salad…that will change! Check out the spiced pumpkin, lentil & goat cheese salad recipe on epicurious.com. REALLY great!

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Amanda October 9, 2012 at 9:42 am

Thanks for the recommendation, Lisa! I’m on a mission to put pumpkin in everything! ;)

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Lisa G October 9, 2012 at 9:14 pm

I also put pure pumpkin in plain, non fat greek yogurt–with a little cinnamon, stevia and flax seed! Perfect breakfast.

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Colette @ JFF! October 9, 2012 at 3:26 pm

Pumpkin donuts?!
O
M
G

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Amanda October 9, 2012 at 3:42 pm

Oh yes! And relatively healthy, at least donut-wise!

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Cheryl October 11, 2012 at 3:10 pm

Just found your site and am so happy to see that we share a love of pumpkin!! LOL. Your site is really nice and you’ve got some excellent recipes. I’m sorry to hear about your pup… I actually adopted a Blue Healer that was deaf! Cutest pup ever… but he decided to make my 3 year old a chew toy one day, and being deaf – could not hear commands to stop… our vet suggested that we find the pup a new home. We were heart broken, but just could not trust him around our child. Sad. They are such sweet dogs… but they do have a ton of energy!!

Anyhow… here is yet another recipe for Pumpkin Hummus. http://www.veggieful.com/2012/09/spicy-pumpkin-hummus-recipe.html#
I looked at some of the others that were posted and this one is different – more like an actual hummus recipe. I am hoping to try it soon. I hope you like it also. I am going to try your Pumpkin Potato Soup – sans the Tofu. I don’t eat much tofu due to the GMOs and I’m not totally in love with it but when I can find organic I’ll use it in baking and such.
Blessings to you and I shall look forward to more of your wonderful writing and recipes!!

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Amanda October 11, 2012 at 3:21 pm

Thanks for such a thoughtful comment, Cheryl. :) We definitely share a love of pumpkin, and I’m really excited to give that hummus recipe a try! The ingredients include some of my favorites and the flavors sound wonderful.
I’m sorry about your dog. It’s a really hard choice to make, but it sounds like you made the right decision for your family. Sometimes it’s just best to part ways.
The pumpkin potato soup is still great without tofu. I’ve considered subbing in beans instead, so that might be worth a try if you’re looking to add some more protein/staying power. I hope you like it!

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Kailey October 13, 2012 at 9:30 am

I love everything about this post because to me fall = pumpkin season!! Those pumpkin spice donuts look divine!

Never thought to add pumpkin pie puree into banana soft serve – such a great idea!

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Amanda October 13, 2012 at 3:57 pm

The pumpkin banana soft serve is my new favorite dessert. I’ve pretty much been eating it every night. :)

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Lara October 21, 2012 at 9:44 am

YUM.

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