(ARA) - Pumpkin pie is an American tradition and it may be hard to imagine how one could improve on such a classic dessert. But by using organic pumpkin, you can give your family the pure, rich taste and wholesomeness the settlers enjoyed on that very first Thanksgiving.
As per capita pumpkin consumption rises (25 percent since 2003 according to the United States Department of Agriculture), demand for organic pumpkin is also increasing. At Corvallis, Ore.-based Farmer's Market Foods, sales of organic pumpkin have risen 60 percent annually for the past three years.
"More and more consumers are cooking with organic pumpkin because of its pure, rich taste and abundance of nutritional benefits," says Tracy Miedema of Farmer's Market Foods. "We've been tracking this growing trend, and it's not one we see slowing down any time soon."
Farmer's Market Organic Pumpkin and Organic Pumpkin Pie Mix contain no fat, trans fats or cholesterol, and are excellent sources of fiber and the disease-fighting antioxidant beta-carotene. Each half-cup serving of organic pumpkin contains 50 calories, 10 grams of carbohydrates and 6mg of sodium. The organic pumpkin pie mix contains 100 calories per one-half cup serving, 25 grams of carbohydrates and no sodium. Farmer's Market recommends using certified organic ingredients whenever possible for best flavor and nutrition. Here's a recipe you may want to try:
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
3 eggs
1 can Farmer's Market Organic Pumpkin
3/4 cup oil
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts
Cinnamon /Sugar Topping
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice and cloves. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until well combined. Add pumpkin and stir to combine. Add oil gradually, stirring to mix well. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix. Do not over-mix. Add raisins and walnuts, stirring just to combine.
Fill 12 large muffin cups or 16 mini-muffin cups 3/4 full or two mini-loaf pans and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon/sugar topping to make tops hard and crunchy.
Bake for 30 minutes or until tops are firm.
To receive a free booklet of organic recipes, "The Farmer's Market Collection: Above and Beyond," e-mail recipebooklet@farmersmarketfoods.com. Type "recipe booklet" in the subject line and include your name and address in the body of the message. Or mail a letter or postcard with your name and address to: The Farmer's Market Collection, Farmer's Market Foods, P.O. Box 817, Corvallis, OR 97339-0817.
Courtesy of ARAcontent |
Reader's Comments