Oh My Gourd you guys!! It’s OFFICIALLY October and you know what that means. It’s pumpkin season!! If you’ve already dived into a pumpkin spice latte, you’re not alone (I definitely did that weeks ago), but I am here today to share about the star of the squashes- the pumpkin!
These recipes are simple and are so easy to prepare. The pancakes can be made in bulk and frozen for a future meal while the meatballs, curry, and stuffed bell peppers make great lunches the next day or can be done meal prep style!
if you’re looking for other high protein recipes, check out our High Protein Breakfast Recipes, High Protein Meal Ideas, and Iced Protein Coffee.
Fun facts about pumpkin!
- It is a type of squash that belongs to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae.
- It is a nutrient-dense fruit, low in calories, and rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. Additionally, it contains small amounts of other vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium.
- Pumpkin can be used in various culinary applications. It can be roasted, boiled, steamed, mashed, pureed, or even used in soups, stews, curries, and salads. Pumpkin can also be used in baked goods like bread, pies, cookies, and muffins.
To honor the transition into Pumpkin season- I gathered 5 delicious high-protein pumpkin recipes to share!
Pumpkin Protein Pancakes:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup pumpkin puree
– 2 eggs
– 1 cup oat flour
– 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp nutmeg
– 1/4 cup milk (any type)
Instructions:
a. In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk until well combined.
b. Add oat flour, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until a batter forms.
c. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and ladle the batter to form pancakes.
d. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown.
e. Enjoy with sugar-free maple syrup or top with your choice of berries
Pumpkin Protein Smoothie:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup pumpkin puree
– 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
– ½ frozen banana
– ½ cup Greek yogurt
– ½ cup almond milk
– 1 tbsp honey (or low-cal sweetener of your choice)
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– 5 Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients in a blender
- Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy
- Adjust sweetness and consistency by adding more honey or milk if desired.
Pumpkin and Chickpea Curry:
Ingredients:
– 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
– 1 cup pumpkin puree
– 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp yellow curry paste
– 1 tsp turmeric
– 1 tsp cumin
– Salt and pepper to taste
– cooked rice, quinoa, and/or broccoli
Instructions:
a. In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
b. Add curry paste, turmeric, and cumin. Stir well.
c. Add chickpeas, pumpkin puree, and coconut milk. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
d. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over rice or quinoa or cooked broccoli.
Pumpkin and Turkey Meatballs:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup pumpkin puree
– 1 lb ground turkey
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
a. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
b. In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
c. Shape the mixture into meatballs and place on a baking sheet sprayed lightly with cooking spray.
d. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
Pumpkin and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers:
Ingredients:
– 4 large bell peppers, halved and seeds removed
– 1 cup cooked quinoa
– 1 cup pumpkin puree
– 1 cup cooked and shredded chicken breast
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 tsp dried oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
a. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
b. In a bowl, mix quinoa, pumpkin puree, shredded chicken, Parmesan cheese, oregano, salt, and pepper.
c. Fill each halved bell pepper with the mixture.
d. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the peppers are tender.
And there you have it- 5 easy high protein pumpkin recipes to ring in the new season!
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