Menu Plan Monday: Pumpkin!

If you’ve got pumpkins, flaunt ’em!  and we’ve got pumpkins, a happy army of mini pumpkins.

I must confess my prejudice. I just don’t really like big fat pumpkins, unless I’m carving them.  The little ones are much cuter, and much less of a hassle to grow.

And I am so grateful for my pumpkins!  We moved here smack in the middle of growing season, and I could not convince DH that the very first priority when we moved was to establish a garden bed.  So by the time we settled in, pumpkins were one of the few things we could still start from seed and harvest.

Every year, I delight in watching them grow from the tiniest little baby pumpkin to the…well, tiny adult pumpkin.  I don’t know why it’s more fun than any other thing to grow for me, but I get such a kick out of it.  There are a few left on the vine, but the plant is much less happy so we’ll see how many more we get.  Right now, we’re at 12 and counting, so absolutely no complaints here!  There are 3-4 that will most likely make it and a few maybes, but I’ve learned my lesson about counting my pumpkins before they ‘hatch’

What about eating pumpkins, you say?  Well, of course they’re wonderful sources of vitamin A.  And regretfully, I can’t eat them at all.  I CAN eat pumpkin seeds…no clue why.   But hopefully having them as a theme will help folks plan ahead for the month or so of pumpkin goodness to come…

It’s also the season to announce a change!  Over the next month or so, Heather of Celiac Family will take over coordination of Menu Plan Monday.  More details to follow!

Monday:
Simply yum quinoa

Tues:
Marinated herb chicken with broccoli

Weds:
Beef stew

Thurs:
Leftovers

Friday:
In-laws in town! Maybe going to Sweetwater Tavern? We’ll see.

Lots of menu plans around the web!

We’ve got Kerry Ann of Cooking Traditional foods, who has a GFCF menu planned.  This is her first menu plan Monday so head over and give her some love!  Her blog is on traditional cooking and she’s got some fun recipes in the lineup, like peanut butter fudge and lentil dahl.

Heather of Celiac Family has a pictoral menu plan, which is always fun.  Not only does she have pumpkin waffles on the menu, she’s got pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, too!  And here’s to hoping her family stays healthy.

Alta of Tasty Eats at Home will be teaching at the GF & Allergen Free Cooking Expo, so if you’ll be there, make sure to look for her classes.  She’s got some pumpkin on the lineup as part of a souffle topping and she even has beef heart…I’m way too chicken for anything like that!

Amanda of Gluten-Free Detroit Metro is back to work, and that’s certainly a challenge while makings sure a (gluten-free) dinner is on the table.  She’s looking for inspiration for broccoli, spinach and green bean recipes.  Thoughts?

Angela of Angela’s kitchen always has the cutest menu icons, and she is indeed the pumpkin QUEEN!  I think the pumpkin streusel bars sound best to me.

Emily of Our Frugal Happy Life is grilling a lot this week, and it’s her hubby’s golden birthday, too.  Pretty neat!

About Cheryl Harris

Life played a funny trick on me. I've studied nutrition for years, and much to my surprise, found out that I could manage many of my health issues via diet. I've been GF for years, and I've got a bunch of allergies and sensitivities. But it definitely doesn't keep me from cooking, baking and enjoying my food. Thanks for stopping by.
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11 Responses to Menu Plan Monday: Pumpkin!

  1. Pingback: Gluten-Free Dinner Plan for a Week

  2. Love your little mini pumpkins! How great that you were able to get something growing in the garden already.

  3. Amanda says:

    They are so cute.

    I don’t have pumpkin anything but I could use some ideas or help this week.

    http://glutenfreedetroitmetro.com/2011/09/26/menu-plan-big-changes-and-help-needed/

  4. Alta says:

    Yay for your little pumpkins! I’m excited that my butternut squash is growing and making baby butternuts right now. Sad that you can’t eat them. 🙁 I’m making a pumpkin-souffle-topped shepherd’s pie this week… http://www.tastyeatsathome.com/2011/09/dallas-gluten-allergen-free-expo-plus-a-meal-plan-for-926-930/

  5. Heather,
    For me a house isn’t a home until I’ve got green things growing!

    Amanda,
    thanks! Wishing you a peaceful transition.

    Alta,
    I LOVE the idea of baby butternut–I bet they’re so cute!

  6. Pingback: Menu Plan Monday – September 26, 2011 | Angela's Kitchen

  7. Wow! Your pumpkins did much better than mine did this year. It has been a crazy summer for gardens…

    my post is up: http://angelaskitchen.com/2011/09/26/menu-plan-monday-september-26-2011/

  8. Pingback: Menu Making Mondays | mannatreats.com

  9. Emily says:

    Wish I had some pumpkin! I’ve got to check next time I’m shopping!

    Here’s our plan for the week:
    http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2011/09/menu-plan-925.html

  10. Yippee on mini pumpkins! Your pics are such fun to look at, Cheryl. 🙂 I can only imagine the joy of mini pumpkins in one’s garden. Now, are these sugar pumpkins or the super minis that most people decorate their tables with? I didn’t even know you could eat those. I thought they were more like gourds. Hmmm.

    Shirley

  11. Ann says:

    Hi Cheryl,
    What a great October article. I know exactly what you mean about things growing. I love to watch most anything. This year we did red peppers, tomatoes and herbs. I am always thrilled when I can harvest a tomato for our lunch sandwiches!! It is very impressive to me. Thanks for sharing the ‘baby’ pumpkins, I give those a try next year.

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