Wednesday, October 30, 2013

What are Pie Pumpkins?

Greetings wellness lovers!

I hope you have been enjoying the lovely season of fall! And hopefully you've been able to spend a little time in the kitchen, baking up some delicious seasonal (real food) treats! 

If any of you are like me, you may find yourself reading a fall recipe calling for a "pie pumpkin"... and wondering, what type of pumpkin is that... exactly?


Anyways, I have come to learn that a "pie pumpkin" is technically a pumpkin grown with the intention of eating/baking purposes, rather than for decorative use.

Pie pumpkins generally tend to be sweeter with a higher sugar content, and weigh between 4 - 8 pounds. There are several different heirloom varieties of pie pumpkins... common ones found at the grocery store are the  'Small Sugar Pumpkin' or 'New England Pie Pumpkin.'

Nutrition benefits...

Pie pumpkins are an excellent source of  beta carotene, calcium, potassium, and fiber. So if you haven't baked them into anything yet, or made a healthy soup out of them... what are you waiting for?

More benefits of pumpkins + links to recipes!

xoxoxo,
Ashley