Pumpkins on Parade

Tis the season for pumpkins, and all through the land, halloween festivities are feverishly being planned. Jack-O-Lanterns are delicately perched on steps by the door, but don't stop there, Pumpkins are great for So Much More!

Pumpkins are a vegetable, after all, and a yummy one at that. These orange treats are bursting with nutrients like beta-carotene (Vitamin A), potassium, and magnesium. So don't let this golden opportunity to add some color to your plate pass you by; pumpkin is great in breads (pumpkin muffins! pumpkin pancakes!), soups, roasted in the oven with butternut squash and green beans (and perhaps a hint of maple syrup), cheese cake (that's right, I said pumpkin cheese cake!), and the very classic pumpkin pie.

Perhaps you're thinking "But I don't have an oven, how am I suppose to enjoy pumpkin?". Never fear my friend, I've saved the best for you! Be the Super Hero at your next Halloween Party by bringing this scrumptiously healthy pumpkin dip.

Pumpkin Party Dip

makes 12 servings (2 Tbsp. each)

Tools

1 bowl

1 spoon

measuring spoons

Ingredients

3/4 cup Philadelphia light cream cheese (soften in a microwave or run package under hot water).

1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (no salt added)

2 teaspoons maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Combine the pumpkin, softened cream cheese, and brown sugar in the bowl until smooth and creamy (yes this is much faster and easier with a mixer, but you can do it by hand). Once smooth, add the maple syrup and cinnamon and mix well. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30min before serving.

Serve with apple slices, celery sticks, ginger snaps, or vanilla wafers. It also makes a terrific spread on whole grain English muffins.

Nutrition Info

-dip only-

Serving Size: 2 Tablespoons

per serving:

Calories 71 . 1

Total Fat 2 . 3 g

Saturated Fat 1 . 5 g

Cholesterol 7 . 5 mg

Sodium 79 . 3 mg

Potassium 55 . 5 mg

Total Carbohydrate 14 . 9 g

Dietary Fiber 0 . 3 g

Sugars 14 . 2 g

Protein 1 . 6 g

Photo Credit: m0rnizstar (Ella Marie) via www.sxc.hu