Pumpkin, Spice and Everything Nice
Image credit: Pixabay
With the start of November, Thanksgiving dinner is something many students are already looking forward to. And what Thanksgiving, or Friendsgiving, meal is complete without everyone’s favorite pumpkin-flavored side dishes?
Pumpkin spiced lattes are a fall staple, but there are many other ways University of Maryland students can feed their pumpkin needs this month and add some flavor to their Friendsgivings.
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Cups
Junior marketing and supply management double major Quinn Alle-Press found a recipe that ties in candy with pumpkin, and it is her staple goody during the colder seasons. A Reese’s peanut butter cup is already a mixture of peanut butter and chocolate, but imagine adding pumpkin into the mix, creating peanut butter pumpkin cups!
Alle-Press finds this to be the perfect treat if you find yourself wanting a break from typical candy.
“They tie Halloween candy and fall together so they’re always fun to make this time of year,'' Alle-Press said.
Click here for the recipe.
Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
What is better than a warm muffin in the colder seasons? A mini muffin.
Sophomore accounting major Mary Dunbar’s family likes to spice up mini chocolate chip muffins by adding pumpkin.
“We always make them Thanksgiving morning and snack on them while we cook the rest of dinner,” Dunbar said.
If you are feeling extra fancy, you can shake things up by taking a note from Dunbar’s mom, who makes the muffins even more festive by baking them in a pumpkin-shaped pan.
“They are the perfect combo of pumpkin and chocolate,” Dunbar added.
Click here for the recipe.
Image credit: Pixabay
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Not the biggest fan of muffins? No problem. Pumpkin bread is a staple for many Thanksgiving dinner tables. It is easy to make, and you can add some flavor with chocolate chips. You can even add a dash of cinnamon for that extra holiday flavor.
Click here for the recipe.
Pumpkin Soup
The start of November also marks the start of flu season. Many sick students find themselves craving one thing: soup. Sure, you could go classic with chicken noodle soup, but if you are looking to change things up, try pumpkin soup.
It takes about an hour to make, but the warm, cream-like result will be worth the time.
Click here for the recipe.
Image credit: Pixabay
Penne Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce
Before going home for Thanksgiving, many students look forward to having a Friendsgiving meal with their group, but struggle to find easy-to-make Thanksgiving foods. Pasta is an easy meal for any college student, and senior international relations major Rachel Brynien likes to add some pumpkin to the basic meal.
“My favorite fall dish is penne pasta in pumpkin sauce,” Brynien said. “My favorite thing about it is how the sauce is super creamy. It’s sweet and savory and topping it with parmesan cheese adds an extra kick. It’s the perfect dish to warm you up.”
Click here for the recipe.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Looking for something pumpkin-flavored to snack on between classes? Roasted pumpkin seeds will solve that issue! Simply buy pumpkin seeds at your local grocery store, toss them in a bowl with melted butter and salt, spread them on a baking sheet, then bake them.
Throw the roasted seeds in a sandwich bag and snack on them between classes.
Click here for the recipe.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
While these are all great ways to spice up a grand Thanksgiving meal, you can never go wrong with a classic pumpkin pie for dessert after scarfing down as much turkey as you possibly can. Many already have this as a staple family dessert, but if not, maybe this Thanksgiving is the time to try it out.
Click here for the recipe.
Image credit: Pixabay
Whether it is a meal, snack or baked goods, there are plenty of ways to enjoy pumpkin-flavored foods this holiday season. With these recipes, you are bound to have a pumpkin filled Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving dinner.
