Halloween is coming and "Trick or Treat" usually means "too much candy". At Harvest Home Farmer's Markets, we've found some tasty ways to give your family Halloween treats without the extra sugar. Are you carving a pumpkin? You can do a lot more with that pumpkin than just carve a face. Seeds make a variety of delicious and healthy snacks. Pumpkin gives muffins and pies a great nutty taste!

For a simple tasty snack, try roasting pumpkin seeds. They are full of good things for your body: magnesium for your heart and zinc for your immune system. Plus healthy fats, antioxidants, fiber AND protein!

Roast Your Own:

• Save and Clean The Seeds: Place the pumpkin pulp into a sink full of water. The seeds float to the top and can be easily removed with a slotted spoon. Pat the seeds dry with a towel. Don't dry the seeds with paper towels; the seeds will stick.
   
• Dry The Seeds: Preheat the oven to 300° F. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake until they are dry, about 50 - 60 minutes.
   
• Roast With Flavor: Set the oven to 350 F. Place seeds in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and your choice of spices (see tips below). Lay seeds on a flat baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Don't like seeds? Try pumpkin muffins (see our Recipe section) or this pumpkin dish from one of our farmers. 

Delicious Pumpkin Side Dish: Cut a pumpkin into 2 or 3-inch pieces, leaving the skin on. Place the pieces into a steamer with a stick of cinnamon in the water. Cook until the pumpkin is soft then mash the pieces with one stick of panela also known as a sugar stick. YUMMM, enjoy!

No matter how you prepare your pumpkin, it's sure to be a hit. Happy Halloween!

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Pumpkin Muffins

Recipe

Pumpkin Muffins are great for Halloween breakfast!

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups of flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup plain pumpkin
• 1/2 cup butter (one stick) melted
• 3/4 cup of chocolate chips

Preparation

• Heat oven to 350° F. 
• Grease muffins cups.
• Mix together flour, sugar, pie spice, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
• Break eggs in another bowl.  
• Add pumpkin and melted butter. Whisk until well blended.  
• Stir in chocolate chips.
• Mix wet ingredients into dry with a spatula. 
• Scoop into muffin cups. 
• Bake for 20-25 mins until puffed and springy to the touch in the center.
• Turn out the muffins and let them cool on a rack.
• Wrap in plastic bag and keep for a day or two before serving for more flavor.

Pumpkin Seeds, Many Ways

Tips

 Toss dried pumpkin seeds with 2 Tbsp of olive oil and any of the spice mixtures listed below. Return the coated pumpkin seeds to the oven for 10 minutes.   

• Chili-Lime Pumpkin Seeds2 Tbsp lime zest, 2 Tbsp freshly-squeezed lime juice, 1/2 Tbsp chili powder and 1/4 tsp salt.
   
• Rosemary-Parmesan Pumpkin Seeds2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese and ½ tsp garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. 
   
• Indian Pumpkin SeedsToss with garam masala; mix with currants after roasting.
• Spanish Pumpkin SeedsToss with smoked paprika; mix with slivered almonds after roasting.
• Barbecue Pumpkin SeedsToss with brown sugar, chipotle chili powder and ground cumin.
• Get your kids to help make pumpkin seed snacks. They'll love cleaning the seeds!

Treat Alternatives: For a different and non-candy treat, try "Spider Rings", Halloween tattoos or glo-sticks from Amazon. They cost much less than candy!    

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