Pumpkin Beyond Pie

This comes to many peoples’ disbelief, but I hate pumpkin pie (insert gasp!). I can’t help but cringe during this time of year knowing it’s the drooled over dessert at Thanksgiving. And why is it that it’s the first thing people think of when you mention pumpkin? There are so many great things you can make and create with pumpkins besides the standard pie! A few of these things include:
   

• Pumpkin bread, muffins, mousses, and even savory pumpkin dishes are becoming quite popular. Be sure to try Magic Chef’s recipe for pumpkin bars. You can find the recipe here: http://mcappliance.com/recipes/pumpkin-bars
• Try baking the seeds for a tasty salty fall snack! After you’ve separated the seeds from the guts and rinsed them thoroughly, place them in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet. Stir them around to coat them with oil and whatever seasoning you prefer (salt, pepper, garlic salt, cayenne, etc.) Roast them at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour or until crunchy. You can also go the sweet route by coating them with cinnamon and sugar.
• Spice up a dinner party with pumpkin serving bowls. Place your hollowed-out pumpkin on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Brush the insides and the tops with a little vegetable oil. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes. These bowls are perfect to serve your favorite soups or hot drinks in!
• Lastly, try making a fall-festive beautiful pumpkin planter! Pick your favorite uncarved pumpkin. Cut off the top and remove the insides and discard them, or use for baking. Pack some potting soil into your pumpkin until it’s about one-third full. Place your plant into the pumpkin, and fill it out with more potting soil. Viola!

Pumpkins are a very versatile vegetable… help show everyone there is more to pumpkin than pie!