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Pumpkins represent Halloween, but at the same time, they have an important history that is worth learning more about. Originating in North America, pumpkins have been cultivated in Central and South America, where their nutrient-dense flesh and seeds were highly valued by indigenous communities.
Nowadays, carving pumpkins is a common custom that families and communities take pleasure in. Halloween-themed pumpkin festivals feature enormous pumpkins, carving competitions, and pumpkin-based recipes become the main focus of the celebrations. With pumpkin pie being one of the most classic sweets, other dishes range from pumpkin desserts, one-pot pumpkin recipes, pumpkin spice lattes, and so much more. If you’re planning a Halloween party at home, you can try the following pumpkin recipes:
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Starbucks is known for its pumpkin spice latte ever since its launch in 2003. Before the development of combining it with coffee, a pre-blended mixture known as pumpkin pie spice was used for baking. Along with sulfiting chemicals, the flavours included hints of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. At home, you can use fresh pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice to make a pumpkin spice latte. It is naturally sweetened and is the creamiest latte you've ever had, with a subtle flavour of maple syrup swirled right in. Enjoy this delicious brew with breakfast and, if you're feeling fancy, top it with a little whipped cream and additional spices.
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Pumpkin Spice Pie
You will adore having this homemade pumpkin spice pie in your kitchen if you enjoy baking in the fall. A traditional pumpkin spice pie has a bronzed top that is free of cracks, soft filling, just the right amount of spice, and not too much sweetness! Simple to create, it’s excellent in every aspect. Use canned or fresh pumpkin, or a store-bought pie crust for ease! Simply prepare the crust, whisk together the ingredients, and then pour the mixture into the pie crust that has been half-baked. You can prepare it in advance to ease the burden of holiday preparation. If you want, add more pumpkin pie spice and garnish with whipped cream.
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Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding
Pumpkin bread pudding is incredibly simple to make, and since the pumpkin already adds a creamy texture to the custard, less milk and eggs are needed than in a traditional bread pudding. This can be made with any type of bread. However, avoid using sliced sandwich bread! For this, you will need bread from the bakery. You can use a couple of teaspoons of apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice if you don't have all the individual spices on hand. Give everything at least half an hour to rest. This is a great dish to prepare in advance and keep in the refrigerator before baking, since the bread will absorb the liquid more the longer it is left to rest.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
These lovely pancakes are fantastic for fall and taste great with just a little butter. They are made with real pumpkin and warm pumpkin spices. Your pancake toppings go well with the rich flavour of the pumpkin spice. You can experiment with a variety of flavours by drizzling them with maple syrup, whipped cream, berries, or chopped pecans. Due to the moisture from the pumpkin puree, the pancakes tend to be softer and fluffier. All you need is a skillet or griddle, a whisk, and a basic mixing bowl. You need basic kitchen gear only, and no stand mixers or special moulds for this pancake recipe.
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Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
A pumpkin spice-flavoured ice cream also has quite a good following. The recipe is easy and quick because it uses real pumpkin and the classic pumpkin spice. An ice cream maker is not necessary for this home-made ice cream recipe. The heavy cream can be whipped using a stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer. If you want a workout, you could even use a whisk to manually whip the cream! The ice cream base, which is a mixture of spices, pumpkin puree, and sweetened condensed milk, is then mixed with the whipped cream. By doing this, the ice cream becomes lighter, and no churning is required. Store in the freezer for a few hours, and next thing you know, you have your ice cream.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Pumpkin Spice Tea
During the colder months, many of you warm up with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa, but pumpkin spice tea is also a good choice. This tea hits all the right taste buds since it has those warming spices for an added cosy boost. Ginger root, cinnamon, liquorice root, cloves, and cocoa husk are other ingredients in pumpkin spice tea. Because of all those spices, this beverage has a perfect pumpkin spice flavour profile. If you're a black tea drinker in general or drink the ever-popular masala chai, then this blend will be an absolute hit in your household. The subtle hints of cinnamon also come through beautifully, giving the cup of hot tea a familiar flavour with a dash of spice.
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The truth is that, whether you like it or not, pumpkin spice somehow finds its way into your lives. It's evident that pumpkin spice has long since gone beyond taste; it's a two-decade-old cultural phenomenon. It's about comfort, nostalgia and a little serotonin wrapped in clove and cinnamon, rather than just about flavour.
