It’s all about that Veg
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Well, good morning to all of you!! I love fall… there’s so much beauty in the changing of colors and I think fall is the BEST season for getting fresh produce and veggies. Two of my favorites to get in abundance during this time of year are apples by the peck and squash. We went to the pumpkin patch this weekend with my siblings and their families. It was so much fun to see the assortment of pumpkins, squash and to just be able to take in the sights, sounds and smell of the season. We picked fresh raspberries, two varieties of apples and of course, pumpkins. My son loved the cute little gourds and my daughters of course, had to go through the patch and find the perfect one to call their own.
Family time like this puts me in the mood for hot chocolate, spiked apple cider and a few pumpkin spice recipes. Yeah, I know, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING is out right now and I’m not immune. It’s not my favorite spice combo but I can’t resist creating a few recipes here and there that at least incorporate pumpkin in the name getting in that extra veg right? I’m working on a fun recipe right now that’s less pumpkin spice and more maple-pumpkin wrapped in a cinnamon roll package. Hoping I can get it right to share with you soon!
The first time I tried pumpkin it was in a pumpkin pie. I hated it. The texture, the overwhelming spices, everything but the crust was just, well, GROSS. It’s still not a pie I would ever willingly consume. Despite my first exposure to pumpkin, I’ve learned it’s actually quite tasty done the right way like adding it to a sauce or incorporating it into a baked good. I mentioned in a recent post that I’ve collaborated with over 45 other food bloggers to give you an amazing digital cookbook called The Casual Veggie to help you find everyday recipes for all of your veggies and to find new ways to incorporate veggies into your daily mix. For example, did you know you can substitute pureed squash or pumpkin for some of the tomatoes in sauces to add creaminess in many recipes? Fun facts and inspiring ways to use a variety of 29 different veggies is part of what makes this cookbook so great.
As part of preparing for the cookbook to launch on October 19th, I wanted to introduce you to the talents behind all of the recipes. Below are links to my fellow food blogger friends whom I’ve been happy to collaborate with and create great recipes for all of you to enjoy.
Hola Jalapeno
Primal Health with Jean
Stupid Good
The Delicious Balance
The Weekly Menu
Where is my Spoon?
Will Cook For Friends
And with that, I leave you with a goofy pose from me and the hubs to bring a smile to your face…
Cheers to a happy fall and thanks for checking out my collaborative cookbook launch because, really, it’s ALL about that veg!
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Hi Kari — so fun getting to “meet” you through working on this cookbook! Your kids are so adorable, those photos instantly brought back my own childhood memories of pumpkin picking. So excited for the release of the book, I can’t wait for the 19th!
I am loving Fall for the apples and pumpkins . Did some apple picking and hoping to visit a pumpkin patch soon. Excited about October 19th! See you then!
My next pasta dish is getting a creamy helping of pumpkin, thanks for the tasty tip!
Hey Kari,
Meeting you through the launch party. I have been stocking up on apples this fall and plan to make it to a pumpkin patch as well this week. Fall is simply the best
Pumpkin is the best, best thing about autumn for me… Nice to meet you 🙂
Nice to “meet” you! I’m excited to be working on the cookbook with you. I can’t wait to see the recipe for the cinnamon rolls you mentioned…that sounds AMAZING!
Kari! It’s great to meet you, and what a fun way to get to know other folks who love food as much as we do! Your kiddos are so cute and fall is such a fun time. Love your creative ways for using pumpkin! Looking forward to the 19th!
Pumpkins are one of my favorites! I remember the first time I saw small pumpkins in the produce section of my grocery store and realized they were for eating and not for jack-o-lanterns! Crazy concept!
Hi Kari! It’s so great to meet you and bond over making real food family memories.
I enjoyed your pumpkin article because they aren’t just healthy but have a magical quality!
xo, Elaine
What a wonderful story Kari! Pumpkins are a true sign of fall.