A Gift of Time and Pumpkins
It is almost fall, and I have two particular gifts today (among many) of which to be thankful. I am writing this because my husband gave me the gift of time. Might not sound spectacular, but in my life of children, school, garden, and yard/house work, it is one I really appreciate! (He took the kids to soccer and here I am at home. )
Now, on to the gift of pumpkins. When I think of pumpkins, I am not thinking of jack o’ lanterns. When I think of pumpkins I am thinking of squash and nutrition disguised into pies, cookies, muffins, etc.
Two years ago, we were up in Lancaster County at a wonderful market called Roots. (pronounced “rutz” for all of us not from Lancaster County) It was at this market I saw my first “Neck Pumpkin”. These things basically look like a butternut squash on growth hormones! I asked a fellow shopper (likely Lancaster County resident) what they were for, when I saw her buying one. She told me they were neck pumpkins and made great pies. Most of these were selling for under $3 each and were likely close to ten pounds each. Of course, when it comes to a new veggie or fruit at a very good price, I bought not just one, but two, and one for my mother.
This year, after saving seeds from those pumpkins from Roots, I have been blessed with a gift of many many neck pumpkins. I planted them in three spots in the garden, and they grew and grew and ran all over the place. So far, I have baked three. We have been eating pumpkin pie for breakfast for two weeks now, which sounds crazy, but when you have lots of nutritious squash, some good farm milk, or a can of coconut milk, eggs, and spices (and just a little sweetener) what mother wouldn’t feed this to her kids for breakfast?!
Here is a link to an easy recipe! One that you can eat for breakfast!