Think of the word pumpkin and images of jack-o-lanterns and
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 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. Dr. Pratt mentions many other disease
fighting super foods in his book as well, but we are most
interested in pumpkin because of the year-round availability and
ease of use in canned form.
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
2-1/2 cups flour 1 cup of buttermilk 1 tsp. salt 2-1/4 tsp. soda
2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 cup of pumpkin
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
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1
cup pumpkin 1/4 cup milk 2 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1
tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp.
salt 1/4 tsp. baking soda
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.
About the author:
About the author:
Sherry Frewerd publishes 'Family Crock Pot
Recipes' and 'Recipes to Live By', both sites offer free and
delicious recipes that your family will love. Visit today at:
http://familycrockpotrecipes.com and
http://theres-more-to-life-than-food.typepad.com/recipes_to_live_
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