Pumpkin Lassi

If you don't know what a lassi is, you are missing out on one of the most delicious things India has to offer. This is what Indians used those pumpkin spices for before pumpkins came across the ocean. 

No, not that Lassie. Here's a version from the great Shanna Schad of Pineapple and Coconut that mixes East and West by adding in some pumpkin.

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Pumpkin Lassi 

This creamy, slightly sweet drink goes along perfectly with that pumpkin hummus. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt, or vanilla if you must (I used So Delicious Coconut Unsweetened for a real plain yogurt taste)
• 4 dates, pitted
• 1/2 cold water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

If you don't know what cardamom is, it's an Indian spice that reminds me of Fruit Loops. Cardamom makes this drink and cannot be omitted or substituted. It's very tasty and is underutilized by Americans, so experiment. I sometimes put it in my apple cider.

Blend everything in the blender until the dates are well liquefied. The spices tend to get odd if you leave this drink sitting in the fridge so drink immediately.

Schad suggests that this serves two, but I divided this between four people. Guess it depends on how thirsty you are.

Add a shot of dark spiced rum to each glass for an extra fun lassi. But beware, this may lead to the rum always being...well you know.

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This is Day 11, in my 31 Day of Pumpkin Spice. Due to illness, I am behind on posting- what can I say? I'm a bad blogger. Rest assured there will be 31 Days of Pumpkin Spice. 

Join in the fun on Twitter with your favorite recipes, quips, or (semi)historical facts by using the hashtag #TeamPumpkinSpice

Top 10 Pumpkin & Spice Videos

I've logged quite a few hours watching YouTube videos about pumpkin spice. Videos about spices and videos about pumpkins. Some are spicy bits of goodness, some not quite so fresh. So here's my top ten picks for pumpkin spice everything videos, from comedy, to music, to makeup.

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#1. In a world where pumpkin spice is everywhere... This mock movie trailer captures the essence of pumpkin spice -- if it was scary.

#2. Molly Lewis sings us this little art house ditty about the pumpkin spice season.
 

#3. I actually had no idea who Jay Pharoah was until watching this video. Some great humor using some of the many bizarre tweets about pumpkin spice.

#4. Soon, the day will come when no one will remember the Spice Girls and that song "Spice Up Your Life". In the meantime enjoy this great parody.

 

#5. This is a make-up tutorial, done by the most gorgeous man. It might be tempting to dismiss him as a fruitcake but brandy up them nuts, because I learned a lot from this guy, even after after years of doing theater make-up. So get your face in autumn theme and try this out...whether you're a man or a woman.

 

#6. A song about nutmeg. That is all. What? How could you want more?

 

#7. A short film of Indians preparing spices. Imagine the smells!

 

#8. All hail the god of Pumpkin Spice Starbucks. Here is tribute.

#9. This hails back to the repetitive flash video era, with the strangely addictive fascination, yet it is a full song and video - not just a 30 second loop. Check out the website for more fun.

#10. I couldn't not include this parody. You're welcome for this ear worm.

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This is Day 10, in my 31 Day of Pumpkin Spice. Due to illness, I am behind on posting, but I will post twice a day until I get caught up. Rest assured there will be 31 Days of Pumpkin Spice.
Join in the fun on Twitter with your favorite recipes, quips, or (semi)historical facts by using the hashtag #TeamPumpkinSpice 

 

 

Pumpkin Hummus

Have you ever been eating hummus and thought, "You know, this hummus needs some pumpkin?" Now you will. You just can't get any whiter than this recipe, but it's delicious. It's one of those recipes that at first sound horrifying, then you think...hmmm...

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Pumpkin Hummus

It seems sometimes the pumpkin should have been native to the East. Not only is it great with the spices, but it also makes a creamy hummus.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 cans or 4 cups cooked chickpeas (fresh is always tastier, but canned is handier)
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika (has to be smoked)
• 1 pinch turmeric or saffron
• Salt to taste 
• Pumpkin seeds

Note: I also added 1 teaspoon coconut fat (made from separating canned coconut) to make it more creamy without using oil. This is optional, or you can also add olive oil instead. While this recipe does not have pumpkin spice, I plan to experiment adding nutmeg and ginger in the mix.

In a food processor, blend together the tahini, garlic, salt, and chickpeas. If you are using canned chickpeas, be sure to drain them well.
Pulse and pulse. You can't blend hummus too much.

Add the pumpkin and remaining spices and pulse again. I ran the food processor for a full minute whipping up my hummus. 

Grab a rubber spatula and remove the hummus to a container to refrigerate for at least a couple of hours.

Before you are ready to serve, toast the pumpkin seeds and use to top the hummus. Add these right before serving, to preserve the crunchies.

 

And we're done! I've found the food processor is the way to go for making creamy, whipped hummus. If you don't have one, you can also try a blender, it just won't be as fluffy.

This makes a good bunch of hummus to serve a full dinner party, or to enjoy over a week, keeping the container in the fridge.

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This is Day 9, in my 31 Day of Pumpkin Spice. Due to illness, I am behind on posting, but I will post twice a day until I get caught up. Rest assured there will be 31 Days of Pumpkin Spice.

Join in the fun on Twitter with your favorite recipes, quips, or (semi)historical facts by using the hashtag #TeamPumpkinSpice