Many people buy pumpkins for fall décor or carving. But the next time you buy pumpkins, you may consider buying extras for cooking. Pumpkins are low in calories and packed with key nutrients that help keep our bodies healthy, particularly during cold and flu season.

The Cleveland Clinic notes five benefits of pumpkin, including eye and heart health, boosting your immune system, and more. 

Pumpkins can be a healthy addition to a balanced eating pattern. Consider incorporating them into your cooking this fall. When buying pumpkins for cooking, make sure they are labeled as “cooking” pumpkins, which are more tender and thin, making them better suited for cooking than regular carving pumpkins.

USU Extension recommends these recipes to get started with using more pumpkin in your cooking. 

  1. Homemade pumpkin puree: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11184/make-your-own-pumpkin-puree/.
  2. How to freeze homemade pumpkin puree: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/a45686740/can-you-freeze-pumpkin-puree/.
  3. Pumpkin soup: https://cookieandkate.com/creamy-vegan-pumpkin-soup/.
  4. Fall salad with roasted pumpkin: https://themodernproper.com/roasted-sweet-potato-salad-with-orange-vinaigrette. Use roasted pumpkin instead of roasted sweet potato in the recipe.

You can read more on USU Extension's website.