Skip to main content

MCC Daily Tribune Archive

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!


The Wellness Council presents November’s food of the month: pumpkin.

It may be the Great Pumpkin. Charlie Brown, but it's not always the best to eat.  Larger varieties of pumpkins are fibrous, watery, and bland when cooked.  Choose pumpkins that are 3-6 pounds with a 1-2 inch stem and have names like Sugar Pie, New England Pie, Baby Bear or Baby Pam.  Pumpkins are best after steaming and can be used to make pies, pancakes, breads, muffins, soufflés, stuffing, soups, and custards.

Pumpkin is a low-calorie vegetable that is rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Dieticians recommend pumpkin in controlling cholesterol and weight reduction programs.  But wait – what about the seeds?  Pumpkin seeds are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that help to lower bad cholesterol and are a good source of protein.  Need a healthy snack? Just roast some pumpkin seeds; they are also great in salads, granola, casseroles and baked goods.

Check out some great recipes below for pumpkin and pumpkin seeds:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/pumpkin-seeds-recipe.html

https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/09/28/recipe-pumpkin-bread/

FYI:  Due to heavy rains this year in Illinois, which produces about 90% of sugar pumpkins, there will be a shortage of canned pumpkin this year.  Libby's, a major processor of canned pumpkin, predicts it will run out by Thanksgiving.  So preplan and stock up now or there may not be pumpkin pie on your dinner table at Thanksgiving.

As part of MCC’s Wellness Council we will be bringing you healthy eating ideas.  Each month we will focus on a specific food group and its nutritional benefits.  We will also provide links with more information about each food as well. 

The Wellness Council would like to encourage everyone to join the efforts of AAWCC and the Support Staff Professional Development Planning Council to fill the MCC Food Pantry for Thanksgiving.  Please see the attached flyer for details including drop-off locations and suggested donations. 

Sandy Warren, Deneen Rhode, Tanya Mack, Matt Farley
College Wellness Council
10/29/2015


Attachments:
icon Thanksgiving Flyer.pdf