College Cooking: Cooking With Pumpkin

Pumpkin is one of those vegetables that is almost emblematic of fall, and yet the only way it usually gets to your
Thanksgiving table is in a store-bought pie. But pumpkin can be so much more—and since it keeps for six months whole or for years in a can, it can and should be a year-round addition to our diets. D
 
Did you know that pumpkin is extremely low in calories, used for weight reduction programs, and is an excellent source of nutrition? As you can tell by its bright orange color, pumpkin is full of goodness. Not only is it loaded with Vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids, pumpkin is a good source of Vitamins C, K, and E, and lots of minerals, including potassium and iron. Pumpkins also are a great source of fiber.
 
As far as cooking with pumpkin goes, it can be used in any squash recipe; it offers a depth of flavor that many other winter squashes don’t have. Also, canned pumpkin makes your cooking prep much easier without compromising any taste or nutrition. There are SO many wonderful pumpkin recipes, here are a couple of my favorite:
 

• Thai Pumpkin Soup: You will need 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil, 1 tbsp. of butter, 1 chopped clove of garlic, 4 chopped shallots, 2 chopped small red chili peppers, one tbsp. of chopped lemongrass (can also use a pinch of dried lemongrass), 2 cups of chicken stock, 4 cups of pumpkin puree, 1.5 cups of unsweetened coconut milk, one bunch of fresh basil leaves. In a medium saucepan, heat oil and butter over low heat. Cook garlic, shallots, chilies, and lemongrass in oil until fragrant. Stir in chicken stock, coconut milk, and pumpkin. Bring to
  a boil. Serve topped with basil leaves.
• Pumpkin Bread:You will need 4 egg yolks, 1 cup oil, 2/3 cup of water, 1 (15oz) can pumpkin puree, 3 cups of sugar, 1.5 tsp. of salt, 1 tsp. of cinnamon, 1 tsp. of nutmeg, 2 tsp. of baking soda, 3.5 cups of flour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix egg yolks, water, oil, and pumpkin puree. Add sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and flour and mix well. Pour into three medium loaf pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Store in airtight container.

 
Hopefully these recipes have inspired you to incorporate pumpkin into your everyday diet. Whether you simply roast it in the oven with olive oil or make a delicious dessert, pumpkin is an extremely flavorful and healthy ingredient that is perfect for any diet. With only 45 calories per serving, every girl should be screamin’ for pumpkin!