The Culinary Connoisseur
We’re Pumped!
26
Oct
Oct
Wouldn’t you know it? There are still people who believe pumpkins are not kosher! It’s time to get rid of this silly misconception and add tasty, vitamin rich pumpkins to our menus.
Produce in season is always the most flavorful and now is peak pumpkin season. Pumpkins contain many nutrients like lutein, magnesium and beta carotene. Studies have found pumpkin can promote regeneration of damaged pancreatic cells, resulting in increased insulin levels. According to the research pumpkin extract may be very good product for pre-diabetic people, as well as those who already have diabetes, possibly reducing or eliminating the need for insulin injections for some type-1 diabetics.
The seeds also offer many health benefits. They are a good source of protein, zinc, and other vitamins, and are even said to lower cholesterol. One gram of pumpkin seed protein contains as much tryptophan as a full glass of milk. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a popular healthy snack.
Some pumpkin recipes call for canned “pumpkin puree” but making it fresh at home is easy. Prepare some extra and freeze it for other delicious recipes.
For the pumpkin puree:
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup caramel chips
½ lemon, zest and
juice
1 small pumpkin (2-3 pound)
½ cup sugar
For the muffins:
4 eggs 1-1/2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup caramel chips
For the drizzle:
1 cup caramel chips
½ cup whipped topping, defrosted
Peel pumpkin and remove seeds. Cut into large chunks and place in medium saucepan. Cover with water and add sugar. Cook for 30 minutes, or until the pieces are easily pierced with a knife. Remove from heat and drain well. Allow pumpkin to cool slightly and mash.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour a 12 cup muffin pan or line with cupcake cups. In a small bowl, combine pumpkin, vanilla, eggs, oil and brown sugar. Sift in flour, baking powder, soda and cinnamon. Combine wet and dry ingredients, beat until smooth. Add caramel chips. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 20-30 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Remove and cool.
Place topping in a medium saucepan. Heat just until small bubbles appear at the edge of the pot. Add caramel chips. Turn off the heat. Stir until combined. Drizzle over muffins. Serve.
This filling side
dish can be a whole dinner with the addition of sliced grilled chicken
dish can be a whole dinner with the addition of sliced grilled chicken
1 lb. spaghetti (regular
or gluten-free works well)
or gluten-free works well)
3 tablespoons olive
oil
oil
2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 cups of cubed pumpkin
4-5 ounces spinach,
fresh or frozen
fresh or frozen
½ teaspoon crushed red
pepper flakes
pepper flakes
½ lemon, zest andjuice
Kosher salt and
pepper, to taste
pepper, to taste
¼ cup pecans, finely
chopped
chopped
Coat cubed pumpkin in
1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt. Heat oven to 400 degrees and bake pumpkins for
about 40-50 minutes, until it turns soft and gets lightly caramelized.
1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt. Heat oven to 400 degrees and bake pumpkins for
about 40-50 minutes, until it turns soft and gets lightly caramelized.
Heat remaining oil in
a large sauté pan and add garlic. Cook garlic on low-medium heat, stirring
frequently so it doesn’t burn. Add pepper flakes and cook for another minute or
two stirring frequently.
a large sauté pan and add garlic. Cook garlic on low-medium heat, stirring
frequently so it doesn’t burn. Add pepper flakes and cook for another minute or
two stirring frequently.
Bring 4 quarts of
water to a boil in a large pot. Add
kosher salt generously. Cook spaghetti
for a minute shorter than you would normally.
Drain.
water to a boil in a large pot. Add
kosher salt generously. Cook spaghetti
for a minute shorter than you would normally.
Drain.
Mash half the pumpkin with
a fork or potato masher (you can also use a food processor or blender for a
smoother texture). Put both mashed and whole pumpkin chunks into the pan with pepper
flakes and garlic. Add drained pasta to the pan. Add spinach to the pan, breaking up pieces if
you are using frozen.
a fork or potato masher (you can also use a food processor or blender for a
smoother texture). Put both mashed and whole pumpkin chunks into the pan with pepper
flakes and garlic. Add drained pasta to the pan. Add spinach to the pan, breaking up pieces if
you are using frozen.
Toss together all
ingredients together. Season to taste with salt and freshly pepper, a squeeze
of lemon juice and some lemon zest.
ingredients together. Season to taste with salt and freshly pepper, a squeeze
of lemon juice and some lemon zest.
Sprinkle with chopped pecans
and serve immediately.
and serve immediately.