Tidbits from Trailer Pat - Chapter Two

Today's tidbits are all about PUMPKIN!

1.  Remember my picture of this funny looking pumpkin?

According to this website, Superfreak Pumpkins, they call the pumpkins with large bumps "knuckleheads", and the pumpkins with smaller bumps "goosebumps". Isn't that cute? Their website has free template designs that you can print and use for carving your pumpkin. Next go to this great website, PCJack-o-lantern, that gives wonderful hints for carving a pumpkin.

2. Okay. So you scooped the guts out of the pumpkin. Now what. Here's what I want you to do. I want you to separate the seeds from that other nonsense. Say what? Be patient, my little chick-a-dees. It's well worth it. Let's make some pumpkin seeds!

Rinse the seeds. In a small saucepan, add the seeds to water, about two cups of water to every half cup of seeds. Add a half tablespoon of salt for every cup of water (more if you like your seeds saltier). Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.

Spread about a tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a roasting pan, and add seeds, all in one layer. Bake on the top rack until the seeds begin to brown, 10-20 minutes. When browned to your satisfaction, removed from the oven and let the pan cool on a rack. Let the seeds cool all the way down before eating.

(Recipe courtesy of Mark Allen's American Kitchen Restaurant)

Enjoy!

3) Finally, here is a delicious recipe for Pumpkin Squares from my friend Marcia. No, I don't buy a real pumpkin and do whatever you have to do to cook with it; I just buy a can of Libbey's pumpkin and call it a day! These are sooo delicious, try and eat just one!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix wet ingredients in bowl:

16 oz can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 c oil

Mix dry ingredients in another bowl.

2 c flour
1 2/3 c sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix. Pour onto ungreased cookie sheet (with sides!). Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool

Frosting

3 oz cream cheese
2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)

Mix together till creamy. Frost. Cut into bars. Eat. Enjoy!  Yum!

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