WHAT'S COOKING? PUMPKIN

The St. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry provides food to those needing assistance in the area, including dairy, various protein, fresh vegetables, and fruit, along with canned and boxed goods.

But did you know that sometimes you can make homemade treats for the furbabies in your family with the items the pantry provides?

Canned Pumpkin is one of those items to make some special treats for the family dog.

NOTE: Please check with your veterinarian before deciding pumpkin is going to be part of your pet’s daily diet.

PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

1 Cup unsweetened canned pumpkin

2 Cups whole wheat flour

1 Egg

Preheat oven to 350. Put 1 cup of pumpkin in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whip the egg. Add it to the pumpkin and mix well.

Add in the flour, stir and then transfer to a non-stick surface. Knead the dough until well mixed. Roll it out on a floured surface until it is 1/2 inch thick. Cut the dough into squares. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.

PUMPKIN CAT TREATS

1 cup low-sodium skinless boneless canned sardines, drained

1/2 cup 100% canned pumpkin (plain, without any spices)

1 tablespoon fish oil

1 tablespoon kelp

Mix together and roll into balls. Put leftovers in a container, separating each layer of balls with waxed paper to keep them from sticking together. Treats keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Now that you have learned a couple of treats for your furbabies, how about some pumpkin recipes for the family to enjoy.

PUMPKIN ANGEL FOOD CAKE

1 Box of angel food mix

1 Cup of pumpkin

1 1/2 Teaspoon pumpkin spice mix

Make cake according to the directions on the box. Add pumpkin and spices. Bake as directed on box.

PUMPKIN FUDGE

2 Cups of sugar

1 Cup of brown sugar, packed

3/4 Cup of butter

2/3 Cup evaporated milk

1/2 Cup canned pumpkin

1 1/2 Teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

12 oz pkg. White chocolate chips

7 oz jar marshmallow creme

1 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a heavy saucepan; heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Continue heating until mixture begins to boil, stirring constantly; continue boiling until candy thermometer reaches soft-ball stage or 234 to 243 degrees. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until melted. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into a buttered 13 x 9 baking pan; cool to room temperature. Cut into squares; store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

BAKED SQUASH
RECIPE

Preheat oven to 375. Bake squash like you would potatoes for 1 to 1 1/2 hour. Should be fork tender. Cut and scoop out seeds and inside. If you use spaghetti squash, use a fork to scoop out the insides. This will resemble spaghetti and you can eat it just like regular spaghetti.

Stuffed squash-bake as above, scoop out seeds. Fill with any of the mixtures below: cooked chicken, fresh or cooked mushrooms, spinach, a mixture of cooked vegetables, cooked sausage or ham. Reheat for 10 to 15 minutes, in a 350 oven.

“What’s cooking?” is a question many families face daily. Some families don’t even bring up the topic because the cupboards are bare.

Food pantries provide families in need with items. However, there are times the family doesn’t know what to do with the free groceries delivered.

Annunciation’s St. Vincent de-Paul Food Pantry provides food to those needing assistance in the area, including dairy, various protein, fresh vegetables, and fruit, along with canned and boxed goods.

If you don’t know what to cook with the groceries provided, what good is the assistance?

That is why volunteers at the St. Vincent de-Paul Food Pantry want to provide recipes to help people use the groceries they receive.