Fall makes us think of pumpkins but it’s time they go beyond home decorating and the traditional pie!  Pumpkin is low in calories and one serving gives us 20% of our daily fiber needs.  Pumpkin is also a great source of vitamin A.  Try these easy and delicious pumpkin recipes to give your taste buds a deliciously healthy fall treat!

Hint of Honey Pumpkin Spread
Makes about 1-1/3 cups

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Meijer 1/3 less fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), at room temperature
1/2 cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
2 tbsps. Meijer honey
1 pinch ground cinnamon

  1. Stir cream cheese, pumpkin, honey and cinnamon in medium bowl for 1 minute or until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate in tightly covered container for up to 4 days.  
  2. Serve with apple slices or whole-wheat crackers.

Pumpkin Spaghetti
Serves 6

1 cup 100% Pure Pumpkin (canned)
1/2 jar of Meijer Organics Traditional Pasta Sauce
1 Box Barilla Plus Multigrain Thin Spaghetti
Parmesan Cheese, grated

  1. 1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, add pumpkin and pasta sauce to a skillet and bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes more.  
  3. Spoon pumpkin sauce over spaghetti and top with grated Parmesan cheese.

NOTE:  Can also add cooked lean ground beef or turkey to sauce.

Everyday Pumpkin Parfait
Makes 2 servings

1 cup Greek fat-free or lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 to 2/3 cup lowfat or fat free granola

  1. Combine yogurt, pumpkin and pie spice in small bowl. 
  2. Place 1/2 yogurt mixture into two 1-cup parfait glasses.  Top yogurt mixtures with 1/2 of granola.  Top each with remaining yogurt mixture and granola.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Latte
Makes 2 (8 oz.) servings

1 cup strong coffee
2/3 cup Meijer Evaporated Fat-Free Milk
¼ cup 100% pure pumpkin
1-2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

Combine coffee, evaporated milk, pumpkin, sugar, and spices in a small saucepan.  Heat until very hot over medium-low heat and stir occasionally.  Carefully pour into mugs.  (To make a foamy top blend hot mixture in a blender for 1 minute).