Beyond Pie Filling

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Whether you make your own or use a can, it seems you’re almost guaranteed to always have just a little bit left over. And, nobody likes to waste precious pumpkin purée. A little pumpkin goes a long way in making your favorite dishes tastier and more nutritious. Here are some easy recipes that go well beyond pie filling.Bowl of pumpkin soup

Pumpkin Soup

The main ingredients in vegetarian pumpkin soup are pumpkin purée and vegetable broth. Variations are endless, but some of our favorites include the addition of caramelized onions, low-fat milk, cinnamon and nutmeg. Another option is to create a traditional potato soup using canned pumpkin instead; season with cumin and a pinch of curry. Pumpkin soup makes a great first course for a holiday dinner.

Pumpkin Hummus

Pumpkin adds a touch of color and light earthiness to the flavor of hummus. Stir 1/4 cup of pumpkin purée into 1 cup (about 7 oz. container) of your favorite hummus. You can find a variety of brands and flavors in the Deli Department.

Pumpkin Chili

Adding a can of pumpkin to your pot of chili provides a good dose of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Whether your favorite chili recipe involves beans, tofu or ground beef, the addition of pumpkin purée gives the chili a nice substance, flavor and texture.

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Give your favorite tomato sauce a little extra body and festive flavor. Simply stir 1 cup of pumpkin purée into 3 cups (about 26 oz.) of your favorite jarred or homemade pasta sauce. You can also sweeten up your favorite lasagna recipe by spreading pumpkin purée between the layers.

Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting

Cream two sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature, 1/2 cup of pumpkin purée, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Slowly add two pounds of confectioner’s sugar (more or less) until the buttercream is no longer separated by the pumpkin.

Need more pumpkin inspiration? Try these recipes below!