You might as well get used to it…it’s all-pumpkin, all-the-time for the next 2 months or so.  Since I just bought 6 cans of organic pumpkin puree from Costco for about $5, I’m embracing the tradition full-on.  And, so will my kids.  That’s right kids, start embracing.

In honor of this forceful vegetable takeover, here are 31 Awesome recipes using canned pumpkin, from Greatist.com.  And later this week, I’ll share my recipe for Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies (yum. and yum. REALLY!). So get out there and stock up on pumpkin puree!

31 Pumpkin Recipes from Greatist.com

Drinks

1.  Pumpkin Pineapple Cocktail Pumpkin has a smooth, warming quality that typically lends itself to creamier dishes, but it also works well in this sweet, citrusy cocktail terrific for any season.

2. Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake Get jacked-o’-lantern (… sorry) with this muscle-building shake—the perfect end to a brisk outdoor workout.

3. Pumpkin Smoothie For a practically guilt-free dessert, this terrific vegan recipe tastes just like a pie without the pastry. Bottoms up!

4. Pumpkin Egg Nog An awesome twist on the holiday staple, this is how to start a December morning—and the sugar-free version has far fewer calories than your typical nog.

5.  Pumpkin Chai Latte What could be better to sip on in front of a crackling fireplace? This no-frills recipe simply adds pumpkin to chai tea, but it bestows a depth and smoothness that’s perfectly warming.

Snacks

6. Pumpkin Butter Like a regular bit of butter, but better! To get the morning feeling extra seasonal, try this pretty healthy, cinnamon-spiced spread (there’s not that much sugar) on a muffin, pancake, or some freshly-baked bread.

7. Pumpkin and Sage Savory Muffins Savory muffins just don’t get enough play, but this is a super simple, delicious way to bring them to the table. Made with oats, olive oil, herbs, and apple cider vinegar, they’ve got no added sugar but can still warm from head to toe.

8. Pumpkin Pie Brown Rice Krispies Half a cup of maple syrup might seem like a lot, but when it’s spread among sixteen servings it makes for a healthy, delicious cereal square—without all the marshmallows.

9. Gluten-Free Pumpkin and Coconut Squares Packed with coconut, ginger, and cinnamon, these bars are melt-in-your mouth delicious and contain no wheat, butter, or sugar.

10. Pumpkin Scones Perfect with cinnamon and peanut butter, fresh berries, or some Greek yogurt and honey, this American twist on the British staple is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea and a good book.

11. Savory Pumpkin Hummus The recipe for this unusual dip has just one step: throw everything in a food processor. The mixture of chickpeas, pumpkin, cumin, and cayenne creates a rich, Middle Eastern flavor well suited to pita and antipasto.

Breakfast

13. Pumpkin Pie Pancakes With just one tablespoon of sugar between four servings these rich, intoxicating pancakes are a healthier option for kids and adults alike. They also pair beautifully with preserves, yogurt, nuts—you name it!

14. Crockpot Pumpkin Oatmeal There’s something magical about the way crockpots make healthy food even more delicious. This recipe uses extra healthy steel-cut oats. Put everything in the crockpot before heading to bed, and you’ll wake to a luxurious (and bright orange) breakfast that will keep you full until the afternoon.

15. Healthy Spiced Yogurt Parfaits This parfait takes only take ten minutes to prepare and makes breakfast feel like dessert. Full of Greek yogurt, granola, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this dish is so simple and delicious that it’s sure to become a staple.

16. Pumpkin Spice Latte Quinoa Breakfast Casserole The name might sound like a game of Madlibs, but this gluten-free and protein-rich breakfast is no joke. Flawlessly melding the flavors of coconut, pecans, maple, and vanilla, it’s hard to believe how healthy this breakfast is—just make sure you have an hour to prepare it!

17. Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Yeast Waffles The batter can be made the night before, and with less than half a tablespoon of brown sugar per waffle, it’s easy for this tasty, crispy breakfast to become a morning mainstay. Try them topped with fresh berries and Greek yogurt!

Mains

18. Pumpkin Black Bean Burgers Pumpkin has never really found a home between bread, but these gluten-free patties will change the way you think about burgers. Be sure to remember the cilantro-lemon crema to add a zesty tang to this Mexican-inspired main.

19. Pumpkin Meatloaf with Pumpkin BBQ Sauce This smoky, flavorful loaf is just right on a chilly Fall evening. The BBQ sauce adds an extra dimension to the savory/sweet dynamic—just don’t go overboard on the sugar!

20. Pumpkin, Black Bean, and Jalapeño Quesadilla Pumpkin tastes so smooth and creamy that it’s amazing we don’t mix it with cheese more often. These quesadillas are a terrific “level-up” for you standard Mexican fare, and the substitution of Greek yogurt for sour cream is an especially nice touch.

21. Pumpkin and Cashew Ricotta-Stuffed Pasta Shells This innovative vegan recipe uses cashews as a base for the “ricotta” stuffing and the sage “cream” sauce. Cashews are so high in fat that you certainly won’t miss the dairy—and your guests won’t know what hit ‘em!

22. Chickpea Pumpkin Patties For a high-fiber patty, try this spicy, deep orange concoction that comes alive with fresh basil and parsley. The recipe already contains breadcrumbs, so try serving the “burger” on a bed of vegetables with some tahini or mustard.

23. Pumpkin Shrimp Curry To many of us, pumpkin is synonymous with fall, chilly breezes, and Thanksgiving fare, but this dish drops a can into a traditional, South Asian curry to great effect. The coconut, ginger, and lime add an unusual dimension to the vegetable, but it works beautifully.

Desserts

24. Pumpkin Protein Fudge Smooth, decadent, and protein-packed, nobody will guess this is a healthy dessert! The coconut oil and almond butter provide filling fats to help give this treat an unmistakeable melt-in-your-mouth quality.

25. Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream It’s neither cheesecake nor ice cream — it’s better. This high-protein mixture of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, almond milk, and pumpkin will satisfy any late night ice cream craving without piling on the calories.

26. Pumpkin Pie Frozen Yoghurt Fro-yo gets a bad wrap for being more or less ice cream in disguise, but this vegan recipe uses vanilla-flavored coconut yogurt to create an innovative and healthy dessert — just make sure you have four hours to freeze the stuff!

27. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies Sweetened only with raisins and a little agave, baking these vegan cookies is a great way to spend an autumn afternoon. It’s wise to cook in small batches, though — it’s a little too easy to eat an entire tray!

28. Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts Made from a lengthy but delicious list of ingredients that includes oats, ground flaxseed, banana, and yogurt, these donuts are filling, healthy, and a lot of fun to serve. Feel free to omit the dusting of cinnamon sugar, or substitute plain cinnamon or nutmeg instead.

29. Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding Jam-packed with the holy trinity of protein, fiber, and omega-3s, chia also forms a goopy gel when it’s added to liquid. This makes it’s perfect for making healthy puddings, and this coconut-based variation is an amazing example.

30. Pumpkin Custard If you can get your hands on some stevia, this recipe makes a super healthy, sugar-free dessert that can be enjoyed morning, noon, or night.

For the dog

31. Chicken Liver and Pumpkin Ice Cream… for Dogs
We said “weird” recipes, didn’t we? It turns out pumpkin purée is a great way to help with canine constipation, but even healthy pooches love this liver-stuffed ice cream. Why should Fido be the only one without a holiday treat?

Thanks Greatist.com and Costco!  Bring on the pumpkin!

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