Ah, autumn! It’s the time of year that simply bursts with colour and flavours from the autumn harvests. Our pick of the crop? That most versatile of veggies: the pumpkin! This is one vibrant, versatile squash that comes into season in winter and is packed full of body-benefitting vitamins and antioxidants that particularly protect your skin and eyes. Cheap and low in calories, it can serve as the main ingredient for dozens of recipes from chili to chia pudding.
Here are 11 mouth-watering recipes that follow Paleo, vegan and/or gluten-free guidelines and prove beyond a doubt that pumpkins aren’t just for carving scary faces!
1. Raw Pumpkin Tarts
Raw, vegan and paleo–could these be any healthier? Featuring a grain-free crust packed with a sweet, squashy filling, these are naturally sweet thanks to the dates. We like ours a little bit warm, just cos it’s a bit chilly out there!
Recipe: Detoxinista
2. Vegan Pumpkin Pie
This recipe is, of course, an inevitable addition to our list. There are plenty of options out there, but we like this recipe because it’s got the added protein kick of tofu–just make sure yours is organic, as most tofu is made from GMO soybeans
Recipe: FoodNetwork
3. Paleo Pumpkin Pie
This nutritious recipe is the perfect holiday treat–plus it’s suitable for both Paleo and Vegan diets!
Recipe: Healy Eats Real
4. Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding
Chia is definitely having a moment, and why not? It’s a high protein, healthy food packed with good fats, and it’s also super versatile and easy to use in cooking. Add a few spoonfuls of canned pumpkin to your next batch of chia pudding and a few spices, and it will taste like a healthier version of pumpkin pie!
Recipe: Greatist
5. Pumpkin Zucchini Bread
This yummy loaf contains 2 of your 5 a day, and tastes amazing too! Fully Paleo, if you’re following that kind of diet, and easier to make than most muffins.
Recipe: HellYeahItsVegan
6. Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts
You can ditch a bit of the sugar, because it’s the spice that makes these gluten free treats really nice!
Recipe: Gluten Free on a Shoestring
7. Honey-Nut Pumpkin Brittle
Wonder what to do with the seeds after you make a pumpkin soup? Just follow this recipe and voila! Your dessert is ready now, too!
Recipe: Chow
8. Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Pumpkin’s creamy texture makes for the perfect smoothie! Tastes more like a dessert than something super healthy…but it is actually packed with vitamins and minerals.
Recipe: Oh She Glows!
9. Pumpkin Butter
Ditch the jam and try this smooth spread for breakfast on toast, added to a smoothie, or dolloped onto a chia pudding. If you don’t want to use cane sugar, no problem: add some agave or coconut sugar instead.
Recipe: Serious Eats
10. Roasted Cauliflower Pumpkin Swirl Dip
This versatile dip can be served chilled, warm or baked with an array of different crackers, dipping vegetables, breads ect. Slightly sweet and infused with all the great autumn flavours, this dip is the perfect accompaniment to any social gathering.
Recipe: Lunchbox Bunch
11. Raw Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
No flour. No sugar. No animal products. No problem to whip these up pretty quick. And no problem to scarf them down fast, either!
Recipe: My Whole Food Life
This article was originally published on www.eluxemagazine.com