Think of the word pumpkin and images of jack-o-lanterns or whipped cream-covered Thanksgiving pies will probably pop into your mind.
Pumpkin is traditionally considered a holiday food and is a staple in our kitchen pantries and freezers during that festive time of the year.
However, did you know that pumpkin is now heralded as one of the ‘Super Foods?’
According to Dr. Steven Pratt, author of SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, ‘Well, pumpkin is one of the most nutritionally valuable foods known to man. Moreover, it’s inexpensive, available year round in canned form, incredibly easy to incorporate into recipes, high in fiber, low in calories, and packs an abundance of disease fighting nutrients.’
What exactly makes pumpkin so super? The powerful antioxidants known as carotenoids give this food its super status. Carotenoids have the ability to ward off the risk of various types of cancer and heart disease, along with, cataracts and macular degeneration.
The Health Benefits of Pumpkins and Pumpkin Seeds
- Because pumpkin is high in fiber, it can aid in weight loss efforts (1).
How can we add this wonder food to our diets through out the year? Take advantage of the benefits and great taste of pumpkin with the following delicious Pumpkin Recipes.
Any Day Pumpkin Pancakes
Measure flour into bowl and add dry ingredients. Stir in buttermilk and add pumpkin. Mix Well. Cook on hot griddle or skillet until golden brown.
Pumpkin Spiced Muffins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl cream butter with brown sugar. Beat in eggs, then
pumpkin and milk.
In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, spices, salt and baking soda. Add to the creamed mixture. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Check out our recipe for
Halloween Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
The Art of Manliness has a great recipe for
how to roast pumpkin seeds
.
And here are a few ways to
spice up your roasted pumpkin seeds
.
References:
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