Happy fall y’all! One of my favorite things about fall {besides the beautiful colors} is pumpkins! There are so many different things you can do with pumpkins from decorating your doorstep to enjoying them as a meal or dessert.
Today I’m revisiting a post from last year. I thought it was appropriate for this time of year and I hope you’ll get some good ideas from it! Once again, I’m going to tell you five things to do with a pumpkin.
Technically the first two use canned pumpkin, but it’s still pumpkin. Right?
#1 – Pumpkin Pie Dip in a Pumpkin
This dip is soooo good! My friends have actually asked me to make this dip for several different occasions. I wish I could call it my own, but I got it from Southern Living.
It’s
very easy.
Beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Make sure cream cheese is softened or you will end up with a lumpy dip. Add pumpkin and mix until blended. Add spices and
mix well. I add 1/2 tsp nutmeg in addition to the cinnamon and ginger. That’s it!
Transfer dip into a small pumpkin and serve with gingersnaps or graham crackers.
#2 – Pumpkin Chili
My bestie Melly from Chicago sent this recipe to me. I have to say I was a bit skeptical of this recipe at first. But I’ll try anything once, so I went for it. So glad I did! The pumpkin gave the chili a rich, nutty flavor.
Pretty basic ingredients. You can find the measurements in the recipe link below. The recipe calls for 2 jalapenos but I didn’t even use a whole one. I’m a wuss! I used white kidney beans (cannellni beans) because I thought they would go better with turkey than dark kidney beans. I also used fire roasted diced
tomatoes because I really like the flavor.
Chop veggies and saute in olive oil until tender, about 5 minutes.
Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
Please let me tell you about this wonderful Pampered Chef tool! It’s one of my new faves!
The Mix and Chop. See the before picture above. . .
and now the after picture! This tool does what it says, it chops up the meat and
mixes it with the veggies. LOVE IT!
Add tomatoes, pumpkin and spices. Bring to a boil and turn down heat.
Add beans, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
I felt the need to add a good bit of salt at the end of cooking. You be the judge.
Serve with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. So good! You can find the original recipe
here.
# 3 – Paint it!
We got these little guys at the pumpkin patch. I mixed
Crayola Kids’ Paint with a little water, stuck a brush in each jar, and let the kids go at it. Parker Reese just wanted to eat the paint (like everything else), but he managed to get a little paint on the pumpkin.
These masterpieces make a great decoration on my dining room buffet!
#4 – Carve It!
Before
I’m pretty sure most of us know how to carve a pumpkin, but just in case. . .
1. Cut off the top
2. Scoop out the guts
3. Eat the top (no please don’t)
4. Carve the face
5. Light it with a candle
After!
#5 – Cook the seeds for a yummy treat!
Don’t throw those seeds away! This can be somewhat time consuming, but so worth it!
Separate the seeds from the guts and soak in salt water for 10 minutes.
In the meantime, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
Strain water from seeds. Remove any remaining pulp.
Spread seeds in a single layer on prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with sea salt.
Bake in the oven for 30-45 minutes (seeds should be golden and slightly browned), stirring twice during baking.
There you have it! 5 things to do with pumpkins.
Oh, wait, I thought of one more. . .
#6 – Use it as a pillow!
I just had to include this picture. It is one of my favorites. Silly little monkey!
I hope you enjoyed this trip back in time!
Linking up here:
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I love pumpkin pie dip and now I must try pumpkin chili. That sounds so good! I'm going to be up your way this weekend and I need to know the best Hobby Lobby to go to (its my first time going to one!).
The pumpkin dip sounds really yummy! I've always wanted to roast pumpkins seeds too, but for some reason it never happens:)
Jen, Your boys are A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. I love all these ideas! I have to pin these recipes… Thank you for sharing them! I recently started a link party and if you want to link up anything, I would love it! http://mushkiloves.blogspot.com/2011/10/mushk-loves-my-stuff-party-2.html
Have a great day!
Kirsten
Hey Jen, I just pinned that chili. I've got to try it this weekend; looks so delicious!
I love this! Especially the last picture, how adorable!
Great rundown on ways to use pumpkin
I would love for you to link up your creation at http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2011/10/jaqs-studio-first-ever-linky-party.html
Have the chili bookmarked!Must be a good, thick chili. I am eagerly waiting for that dip this holiday season
That chili looks amazing. I would love for you to share your great pumpkin ideas at Bacon Time. I have a new ongoing Fall linky and my regular weekly anything goes linky fri-monday, come strut your stuff.
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/