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COOKING, RECIPES

Pumpkin Perfection

Pumpkin Perfection
By Melinda J. Hill, CFCS, CFLE Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences OSU Extension, Wayne County Warm days in October have lengthened our fall produce season by a couple of weeks for everyone to enjoy, but we all know that our fall harvest will soon be over when we have a killing frost.  The pumpkins and squash along with apples and cider bring fall aromas from the kitchen.  I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for a couple of new things to add to our family meals and these fall fruits and vegetables are wonderful additions.  As you look for recipes, try to find those that have low fat ingredients and use methods of preparation that roast, bake, grill or microwave to limit the necessity of adding fat like breading and frying.  Here's a recipe I'm going to try from the University of Illinois Extension, to give a little variety to weekend breakfast with the family or snack/dessert to take to the next family gathering.  Hope you will try them too! [tasty-recipe id="38336"] [tasty-recipe id="38337"] Roasted Pumpkin Seeds I always get questions this time of year on how to roast the seeds. Pumpkin seeds are especially good, but squash can be done too.  Wash and drain them well.  Spread on a jelly roll pan in a single layer and spray lightly with vegetable oil.  Season as desired with salt, chili powder, seasoned salt, etc.  Roast in a low oven (250 degrees) for about an hour or until they are crisp and dry. These are a great snack or you can even save them for an art project on a rainy day.  They are a wonderful small muscle task for young children.  They can play with them in a bowl or glue them to a paper plate along with dried leaves, acorns, pine needles, corn kernels, or anything else they may gather on a nature hike. We all have a daily routine that we follow to some degree.  We also have a diet routine or food habits that we also get into.  I urge you today to try something new.  Treat your family to one of these fall vegetables and maybe it will become a family favorite.  Here's one of ours: [tasty-recipe id="38335"]
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