The Best Natural or Organic Pumpkin Recipes

It is always the perfect time for pumpkin - natural, pure pumpkin. Especially when summer turns into Fall and it begins to cool off. Thanksgiving brings back memories of Grandma's homemade Pumpkin Pie still warm from the oven and heaped up with rich whipped cream.....yuuuuuuummmmmmy!! Or what about homemade pumpkin bread at Christmas time, covered with butter and sprinkled with walnuts? These bring back such good memories and are so delicious, but they are filled with such rich ingredients that we can't have them very often.

So below are four natural pumpkin recipes that you won't have any guilt with.

Pumpkin itself is a member of the squash family and therefore it is very good for us nutritionally. Squash is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C. It is also a very good source of magnesium, vitamin A, dietary fiber, potassium, copper, folate, and phosphorus. In addition, summer squash is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, calcium, zinc, niacin, and protein.

So with all these nutrients packed into pumpkin, let's find some more ways to get this great vegetable into our everyday meals so we can have it more often. Below are some delicious recipes that you can enjoy year round that have none of the guilt attached to them some of the typical holiday recipes would. These are made with natural, or all organic ingredients if you so prefer the organic route. Either way, they are delicious and full of rich, natural flavor and they are quick and easy treats you can make with no artificial ingredients or flavors, additives or preservatives.

You are welcome to make substitutions wherever you desire to make it organic. Let's start with the basics and you can experiment and build on from there.

Recipe 1 - Pumpkin Protein Shake.

In a blender

1 c. milk, Almond Milk or any milk

1/3 of a can pure pumpkin, not the pumpkin pie mix; it can be regular or organic.

1 scoop vanilla whey protein (health food stores sell this in a 1 serving size if you need it)

½ banana

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

Blend until smooth. Add 6 to 8 ice cubes and blend until crushed. If you want to, add about ¼ cup Ezekiel 4:9 Cereal. Pour into tall glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy!

For a slight change, add a slice or 2 of fresh pineapple when blending.

Recipe 2 - Pumpkin Yogurt

In cereal bowl

Start with 1 c. plain, natural or organic yogurt (no sugar or additives)

½ c. plain pumpkin

½ c. unsweetened apple sauce

dash of pineapple juice - if you have some

½ teaspoon vanilla

a couple sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg (to taste)

add 1/3 c. raisins

Stir to mix. Sprinkle with walnuts or pecans, or Ezekiel 4:9 cereal. Tastes like a chilled pumpkin pie! Enjoy instead of ice cream or sugary desserts. Great for breakfast too!

Recipe 3 - Pumpkin Pancakes

Mix together in bowl

1 ½ c. wheat flour

½ c. brown sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1 ¼ c. oats ( dry oatmeal, not instant)

1 c. organic milk, soy milk, almond milk or rice milk

1 c. plain pumpkin

2 eggs (organic or regular)

Scoop by 1/3 cup measure onto hot griddle, lightly oiled. Bubbles will begin to show across the top. When most of the bubbles have popped, flip over. Cook 1-2 minutes longer. The pancakes should be golden brown. Stack 2 - 3 on plate and sprinkle with cinnamon and pecans. Then drizzle raw honey over the top. Yum - Yum! Or cover with fresh fruit - blueberries or strawberries are always great!

Recipe 4 - Easy Pumpkin Bread

Grease 2 loaf pans - 9x5x3 or bundt cake pan Preheat oven to 350*

In large bowl completely mix

3 eggs

1 c. oil

1 can pure pumpkin

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon baking powder

3 teaspoons cinnamon

Add to the mixture

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 c. unbleached flour (whole wheat, if desired)

½ c. oats

1 cup chopped nuts (whatever you have on hand, walnuts, pecans or macadamia are good!)

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. honey

Mix lightly but well. Pour into loaf pans equally. Bake 45 min. Knife inserted should come out clean. Let cool on rack until room temp.

Slice and enjoy warm with butter, honey or whipped cream cheese for a treat!

I hope you have enjoyed at least ONE of these natural pumpkin recipes with an old favorite. With an organic or good canned pumpkin so readily available, there's no reason why we can't enjoy this wonderful, rich flavor all year 'round.