Weekend Menu Hacks: The Great Pumpkin

Long the hallowed harbinger of Halloween, the noble pumpkin has broken out into a social media star in its own right: Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, aka “fall’s official beverage,” came back on the market yesterday, news announced on the P.S.L.’s Twitter page, which garnered more than 114,000 followers. Starbucks isn’t alone on jumping on the pumpkin haywagon. According to Forbes.com, in 2015 “annual sales of pumpkin-flavored food, drinks and novelties were at more than $500 million.” Maybe this year pumpkin will “break the internet.”

It makes sense pumpkin is so popular: Its mellow creaminess and pleasing color help contribute to its popularity. Plus, it’s good for you, packed with fiber, blood-pressure-lowering potassium, antioxidant beta-carotene, and cell-enriching vitamin A. Charlie Brown was right, it is a great pumpkin.

So make this menu to celebrate the orange orb. Or, everytime Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton insult each other during Sunday’s second Presidential debate, take a sip of the Pumpkin Flip Cocktail. #DrinkingGameAlert

The Great Pumpkin Menu

The Pumpkin Flip Cocktail

Pumpkin Hummus

Petite Savory Stuffed Pumpkins

Pumpkin Spice Pudding

Step 1: Combine all of the pudding ingredients in a blender, and blend for 1 minute on high. Pour into parfait glasses and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare and then roast the pumpkins for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the inside flesh is fork tender.

Step 3: Meantime, make the wild rice according to package directions.

Step 4: Add the remaining ingredients to the wild rice, spoon into the pumpkins and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 5: Blend all ingredients for the hummus, transfer to a bowl and top with pumpkin seeds.

Step 6: Whip up the cocktail.

Step 7: Plate, serve, eat, love. #IEatClean

Click here for more Weekend Menu Hack Recipes.