Canned Pumpkin… A Penchant for Pumpkin
This is about getting inspired by the cans in your pantry closet. I am an enormous fan of pumpkin. I am not sure if that is why my favorite season is autumn, or because pumpkin is so synonymous with my favorite season, I love it so much. Or maybe it is its deep orange color (which happens to be my favorite color). I think what I love most about it, is that it is still a “Seasonal Vegetable”. People generally eat pumpkin, in the autumn and early winter, the time in which it is ready for harvest. I am also a huge proponent of eating seasonally, so all of these reasons tickle my fancy! Plus I generally only eat it in season, so it is a treat for me every year.
Now when you bring in the element of canning, something I want to experiment with this year, you can have veggies and fruits that are not in season, because you prepared them for eating later, by preserving. I did not can my own pumpkin, here, but I did have some canned pumpkin in my pantry, just the same. I got a hankering to do something with it, and so I dove in.
I knew I wanted to make Pumpkin Quick Bread, but I also wanted to try a baked dessert too. So I went with Pumpkin Brownies.
Both recipes were great, and even Roberto loved them, which is great, because he is kind of iffy about pumpkin, especially in dessert items. So now I know there are several pumpkin recipes I can make that he will love too!
For the Pumpkin Bread I used a combination of these two recipes , one from No Fear Entertaining and the other from RecipeGirl but used yogurt instead of oil and added raisins.
For the Pumpkin Brownies I used this recipe, except that before the last 10 minutes of baking, I topped the brownies with coconut, so it came out with toasted coconut on top! YUM!
Judy - January 21, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I don’t “can” but I have become a pro at freezing. Right after Halloween this year I bought a huge pumpkin. Roasted it and pureed it and froze it in freezer bags. Been using it all winter long. I am going to use it now to make pumpkin brownies!!! Great looking recipe!
Happy Cook - January 21, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I do have canned things in my pantry. Especially beans and tomatoes etc…
I love that bread.
It looks so yumm. I love the brownies too, but i think i love and adore the bread 🙂
Jenni - January 21, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Ooh, that bread looks so moist and lovely! A little cinnamon/honey/butter seems like just the ticket:)
kellypea - January 21, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I am totally in love with the cans in my cupboard right now, I tell you. And yes, I have pumpkin. These sound so yummers! Pumpkin brownies. Who knew?
Wandering Coyote - January 21, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I bookmarked that brownie recipe because it looks totally wicked! I’m a huge fan of pumpkin, too. I have a bunch in the freezer that I cooked down from an actual whole pumpkin. It’s a bit of work, but worth it. Thanks for the post!
kat - January 21, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Love the idea of pumpkin brownies!
Jen - January 21, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Your pumpkin loaf looks amazing… I’ve been really into pumpkin this year and will put in on the list of things to make.
holler - January 21, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Those brownies look great! I haven’t tried pumpkin in anything sweet before, but I am tempted. It is just a pity we can’t buy canned pumpkin here, it would be so handy for something like this.
Superchef - January 21, 2009 at 3:26 pm
even i loove pumpkins..but i recently found out that I am allergic to the canned ones available in stores 🙁 but im still good to go with fresh pumpkins :)) loved the idea of sprinkling coconut in the end…they look so nice and toasty on the brownies..
Elle - January 21, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I love pumpkin anything! Have a great recipe for Pumpkin Sausage Potato Chowder that I think is my favorite soup ever.
And thanks to you, I made the same brownies! I’d have added coconut, too, if i had it on hand. Delicious!
pickycook - January 21, 2009 at 5:12 pm
i am a pumpkin junkie – gotta admit the pumpkin brownies look amazing.
Mallika - January 21, 2009 at 5:50 pm
The brownies look amazing! My vegetable man sells pumpkins all through winter. I am going to try these! By the way, I am going to trawl your site for an idiot proof birthday cake that I want to bake for a friend.
Peter G - January 21, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Mmmmm…you have me won over on that one Jenn! They both look so moist…perfect with a “cuppa”.
The Duo Dishes - January 21, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Ooooh pumpkin can do some wondrous things!
nina - January 21, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I love how you have given these recipes your own twist….they both look absolutely scrumptious!!!
Sara - January 21, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Yum, I have a ton of canned pumpkin that I need to use up, will give this a try!
RecipeGirl - January 22, 2009 at 12:56 am
Looks yuuuuuummmy! Glad you found some recipes that worked. The coconut looks like a great addition too!
Navita - January 22, 2009 at 5:32 am
u won’t believe Jenn..hve never had pumpkin in my dessert…but the brownies look inviting so m gonna try it! 🙂
Tracy - January 22, 2009 at 8:30 am
I also want to start experimenting with canning and perserving great summer flavors. I did a bit this fall for the first time, it is nice feeling to have our own homemade canned tomatoes to use throughout the winter. The pumpkin loaf looks so tasty.
joan nova - January 22, 2009 at 9:35 am
I’m a big fan of pumpkin too…just don’t use frequently enough. I love the idea of the coconut on top. It takes it to ‘the next level’. No wonder you said “yum!”
Peter - January 22, 2009 at 10:30 am
I think preserving is frugal, smart and traditional…like the old folks did to survive the cold months.
Your pumpkin bread looks moist, great for brekkie with cawfee!
Laurie - January 22, 2009 at 10:50 am
Pumpkin brownies!!! Total yum – and a healthy snack for the kids. Gotta love that. I’ve been playing with pumpkin too.
I used to grow my own vegetables and can them years ago and then got busy with work, family, etc. This past summer I got back to it and rediscovered how much I love it!
I’m betting you will too. There is nothing better than going down into the basement to retrieve a jar of my homegrown tomatoes. It’s like summer in a jar!
I made alot of relish (bumper crop of cukes) and jam too and gave them away for Christmas. It was a popular gift.
lo! - January 22, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Oh, yum. Nice call with the coconut, Jen. Those brownies look fabulous.
One area where we can improve in the local eating arena would be to start canning fruits & veggies. I hate to admit it, but I’ve got a canning phobia (that I need to diminish). I freeze tons of produce, but I NEED to start canning…
courtney - January 22, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I have only just begun to apprciate pumpkin. It works so well in baked goods likle these. A touch of spice and healthy.
The Leftover Queen - January 22, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Thanks everyone for telling me about your canning experiences, I just bought a case of jars, so all I need now is some bumper crops! 😉
Aggie - January 23, 2009 at 9:31 am
Oh!! Pumpkin brownies! Everything looks delish…but I am so making the pumpkin brownies!
Laurie - January 23, 2009 at 12:15 pm
These look very moist! I still have cans of pumpkin in my pantry.. I love pumpkin and have been eying a recipe for a pumpkin casserole from one of my Italian cookbooks. I love the vibrant colors Jenn! 🙂
Deborah - January 24, 2009 at 3:28 pm
How funny – I was thinking of making some pumpkin bread today! It’s times like this when I’m very grateful for canned goods!
Deborah Dowd - January 24, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Here is a little-known fact about canned pumpkin- it is great if your dog has intestinal problems(especially the messy kind). I have used this home remedy several times, and it works like a charm!
David Hall - January 25, 2009 at 7:15 am
Hiya Jen – I’ve secret to tell you that is something to do with the pumpkin. No, nothing seedy but all to do with food that I will announce in March. As you can see I’m struggling to keep it in!
Cheers
David x
Ruby - January 27, 2009 at 11:52 am
Oooh, yummy! Cranberry pumpkin bread is one of my FAVORITE things to eat!! I really need to make some now 🙂