Halloween is only a week away and the stores are full of bright orange, cheery pumpkins but if prepping a 12lb fruit sounds like too much work for a weekday night canned pumpkin makes a great alternative for incorporating the same flavors into your menu quickly and easily.
Easy homemade pumpkin soup
Starting with a can of pre-made chicken stock makes throwing together a soup an easy job. Add onions, garlic, your favorite spices, and a can of pumpkin and simmer until thick. Finish it off with a little heavy cream and serve with crusty bread for an instant classic that the whole family will love.
Mac n’ cheese
The next time you are putting together a batch of your favorite mac n’ cheese add a can of pumpkin and a dash of nutmeg for a fall twist on a classic dish. This hearty meal pairs perfectly with a glass of wine on a cold fall night.
Pumpkin muffins
Pumpkin makes a great addition to a variety of baked goods and its rich texture helps to keep breads and muffins moist. Pumpkin-chocolate chip muffins are easy to make and left overs can be frozen, making them a go-to snack to take to school or the office.
Pumpkin hummus
You can make this snack food from scratch with a food processor. Just combine a can of pumpkin with a can of garbanzo beans in the processor and mix until smooth. Add a little garlic, tahini, olive oil and lemon juice and you have an appetizer worthy of your best cocktail party.
Pumpkin Pie
Last but not least, the perennial favorite, pumpkin pie. This classic dessert is not just for Thanksgiving Day and should really be enjoyed throughout the fall season. Any can of pumpkin will have easy to follow directions printed on the back and if you are short on time, a pre-made crust can get this pie in the oven in less than 5 minutes.
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