Pumpkins are one of nature's blank canvasses. They are best known for their ability to be carved into a myriad of artistic masterpieces, decorating the doorsteps of homes across America. However, this ever-versatile ingredient can also play the starring role in both savory and sweet foods—from soups and raviolis to pies and even ice-cream.
Not only are pumpkins extremely versatile in recipes, their nutritional value is often underestimated. Known as a superfood, pumpkins pack a punch of B-vitamins alongside their mellow, inviting, and quintessentially American flavor.
Here are three nutritious and delicious pumpkin recipes the entire family can enjoy.
Healthy Chicken Bites with Pumpkin
Add some fall flair to the proverbial chicken nugget by dredging them into a pumpkin puree before breading and baking. The kids don't even have to know.
Ingredients:
2 skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
? cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
? teaspoon salt
? cup pumpkin puree (if you used canned, make sure it's plain pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling)
Water (a couple of tablespoons)
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Cooking spray
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
2. Line three small bowls next to each other, as if in an assembly line. In the first bowl, mix flour, poultry seasoning and salt. In the second bowl, mix pumpkin puree and water together until it is about the consistency of baby food. In the third bowl, pour in the panko bread crumbs.
3. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, then coat with the pumpkin puree, and finish by enrobing in panko. Place chicken bites on cookie sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until cooked thoroughly.