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Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce to you, that the fall season is right around the corner.
And you know what that means.
It means it’s almost time for a pumpkin-themed everything. From brilliant pumpkin crafts and decorations, to delicious and soul-warming pumpkin-flavored recipes, and so on.
And like always, you know we can’t resist bringing you the best tips, tricks as well as yummy recipes, to help you make the most of the season.
In this post, you’ll discover some of the nutritional and health benefits of pumpkins, how to choose the best ones, other useful tips, and also 40 incredibly delicious pumpkin recipes to enjoy.
I’m talking soups, pies, cookies, tarts, you name it. Prepare to enjoy the best of this wonderful seasonal veggie.
Let’s dive in.
Pumpkins 101
Before we dive into the yummy stuff, let’s take a quick look at this interesting veggie.
Hailing from the “winter squash” veggie group (think butternut, spaghetti squash, etc.), pumpkins are a popular vegetable that are commonly harvested around the fall/Autumn period. Although their canned versions are usually available year-round.
And just like other members of the squash family, they are also very healthy and nutritious.
Pumpkins pack a good load of essential nutrients and minerals, like vitamins A, C, K, potassium, and so on, while also being really low in calories.
A single cup of cooked pumpkin, packs only about 49 calories, 3g of fiber, 2g of protein, and almost zero grams of fat. So yeah, they’re really good for you.
Choosing The Right Pumpkins For The Occasion
When we think of pumpkins, one of the first pictures that comes to our minds, are those huge orange ones we usually carve out and decorate for Halloween.
But they’re not the only types that exist. There are actually up to about 30 different varieties out there. And depending on what you plan to use them for, you need to pick the right ones for the occasion.
The huge orange ones we usually think of, are called jack-o-lanterns. While they’re great for decorating and carving out, they’re actually not the best types you want to be cooking or baking with.
When it comes to cooking, there are several varieties that would serve you well.
The most popular ones, are called “sugar” or “pie” pumpkins. They’re smaller than the regular jack-o-lanterns, and have a significantly better taste, and texture, that will make them amazing in your meals.
Some other wonderful pumpkin varieties that work great in the kitchen are Casper, Cinderella (yes, like the movie) and blue doll among others.
You could also easily get canned pumpkin puree at your local supermarket too.
Storage
Storing your pumpkins properly is pretty important, especially if you plan to use them over a long period of time, and not just immediately.
For whole pumpkins, it is usually advised to store them in a cool, dry place, at about 50F. Say a garage for example. And you’ll want to keep them on a good surface, like a neat rug, or cardboard for longer shelf life.
Whole pumpkins can last for about 2-3 months in good condition.
For cut up pumpkins, you’ll want to make sure they’re properly wrapped and sealed before placing them in your fridge. Cut up pumpkins last only a couple of days at best.
40 Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
Now that we know how good this seasonal veggie is, and how to choose the best ones, it’s time to explore some of the best pumpkin recipes out there.
From main dishes, to sides, and tasty treats, there’s something for every occasion.
Mains and Sides
1) Pumpkin Oatmeal
Get the recipe at – Well Plated
2) Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Get the recipe at – Cookie And Kate
3) Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Get the recipe at – Spoon Fork Bacon
4) Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Get the recipe at – Ambitious Kitchen
5) Easy Homemade Pumpkin Pancakes
Get the recipe at – Inspired Taste
Also See: 25 Amazing Keto Pumpkin Recipes To Enjoy This Fall
6) Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Get the recipe at – Well Plated
7) Vegetarian Spinach Pumpkin Lasagna
Get the recipe at – Ambitious Kitchen
8) Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding
Get the recipe at – The Natural Nurturer
9) Best Ever Pumpkin Muffins
Get the recipe at – Lovely Little Kitchen
10) Savory Mushroom and Quinoa Stuffed Mini Pumpkins
Get the recipe at – Simple Seasonal
11) Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Get the recipe at – Iowa Girl Eats
12) Pumpkin Cornbread
Get the recipe at – Cooking Classy
13) Roast Pumpkin Salad with Feta, Pine Nuts & Baby Spinach
Get the recipe at – Bake Play Smile
14) Roasted Pumpkin with Yogurt Sauce and Pine Nuts
Get the recipe at – Recipe Tin Eats
15) Easy Vegetable Pumpkin Stir-fry (Vegan and Gluten-free)
Get the recipe at – Earth Of Maria
Also See: 20 Incredible Vegan Dinners That’ll Make Your Mouth Water
16) Roasted Pumpkin
Get the recipe at – Dinner At The Zoo
17) Simple Pumpkin Waffles
Get the recipe at – Savory Nothings
18) The Best Ever Pumpkin Chili
Get the recipe at – One Lovely Life
19) Pumpkin French Toast
Get the recipe at – Averie Cooks
20) Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie
Get the recipe at – Foodtastic Mom
Also See: 25 Keto Thanksgiving Recipes That Are Out Of This World
21) Chipotle Pumpkin Veggie Burgers
Get the recipe at – Peas And Crayons
22) Vegetarian Pumpkin and Kale Pasta Bake
Get the recipe at – MJ And Hungry Man
23) Pumpkin, Spinach And Goat Cheese Quiche
Get the recipe at – Del’s Cooking Twist
Desserts and snacks
24) The Great Pumpkin Pie
Get the recipe at – Sally’s Baking Addiction
25) Pumpkin Bread
Get the recipe at – Love And Lemons
Also See: 20 Healthy Halloween Treats To Enjoy Without Guilt
26) Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
Get the recipe at – Insanely Good Recipes
27) Creamy Pumpkin Hummus
Get the recipe at – Plays Well With Butter
28) Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
Get the recipe at – Gimme Some Oven
29) Pumpkin Scones (Starbucks Copycat)
Get the recipe at – Cooking Classy
30) Pumpkin Dump Cake
Also See: 20 Delicious Apple Desserts That Are Too Good To Resist
31) Mini Pumpkin Pies
Get the recipe at – Dessert For Two
32) Healthy Pumpkin Bars
Get the recipe at – Hummusapien
33) Pumpkin Pie Bites
Get the recipe at – Pumpkin n Spice
34) Pumpkin Roll Cake
Get the recipe at – Life, Love And Sugar
35) Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Get the recipe at – Sally’s Baking Addiction
Also See: 24 Yummy And Healthy Holiday Desserts To Enjoy Without Guilt
36) Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse
Get the recipe at – Family Fresh Recipes
37) Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Get the recipe at – Cloudy Kitchen
38) No Bake Pumpkin Dream Bars
Get the recipe at – 365 Days Of Baking And More
39) Pumpkin Crisp
Get the recipe at – The Cookie Rookie
40) Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups
Get the recipe at – Cookie And Kate
Enjoy these amazing delights this fall. Which one is your favorite? Let me know down below