I am so grateful to belong to a supportive and amazing community filled with so much love and purpose. It really brings me the balance I need to surround myself with positive and inspiring people, who are sharing and upholding the message of food as medicine.

This weekend we had a gathering of health practitioners and food bloggers get together for a paleo style pot luck. It was too fun! Just the food alone was overwhelming (in the best way possible). Wonderful gals, all doing great things to help others and spread this message…and it’s inevitable when you get people who are this passionate about good food (quality and taste), you’re going to be surrounded with incredible dishes.

My contribution was a first time recipe, which is always dangerous, but I can’t help it because I love experimenting! I recently found a recipe for Pumpkin Croquet’s, which with Halloween around the corner, seemed appropriate. Unfortunately I didn’t realize this recipe was suppose to be “raw”, meaning that it shouldn’t be heated over 150° F . Therefore when I popped them in the oven, they did not cook in the recommended 45 minutes, nor the extra hour I left them in there (I’m not a cook or a food blogger for a reason, lol)! That’s when I got smart and turned up the heat. In the end, I think they turned out better than I expected, slightly spicy and savory, and the baked crunchy kale made them different than any typical pumpkin dish I’ve tried.  In other words, very tasty! Perfect as an appetizer to serve for holiday parties.

Pumpkin For Skin Health

Not only is pumpkin delicious, it’s packed full of skin health appeal! It contains antioxidants A and C, which help to soften the skin and build collagen (just like gelatin). These nutrients can prevent and slow down signs of premature aging, although the biggest benefit pumpkin has is for those who are prone to acne. Pumpkin is filled with the mineral zinc, which will help balance hormones, oil production, and heals the skin beautifully when consumed or used topically. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of essential fatty acids and vitamin E, both which are also important for healing.

Pumpkin Patties

This recipe is adapted from Vegie Head, one of my favorite sites to find some incredible superfood veggie recipes that omits major food sensitivities. The original recipe called them croquet’s, but the patties seem to cook much better. You can also try frying them in palm oil for a crispier outside. 

Makes 16 patties

4 cups diced pumpkin or organic pumpkin puree
(I buy bulk during the fall and winter as a backup)

1 tsp coconut oil

1/2 cup kale, torn into bite sized pieces

1/2 cup almond meal

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tbsp sesame seeds

1 tsp of salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)

1/2 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp turmeric– (I like this non- irradiated one for the medicinal qualities)

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350ºC
2. Heat coconut oil in a large pan, and cook kale until crispy; about 15 minutes
3. Bake pumpkin for 45-60 minutes or until tender
4. When cool, process or blend pumpkin until smooth (OR use Pumpkin Puree, then gently mix in almond meal, chia seeds and sesame seeds
5. Stir in salt, pepper, chilli flakes, cumin and turmeric
6. Cradle a tablespoon sized amount of pumpkin mix in your palm, then press in a few pieces of kale
7. Use a little bit more mix to cover the kale, and continue until finished
8. Bake for 30 minutes, check to see if baked thoroughly, if not leave in for an additional 10-15 minutes until firm. For a crispier texture, bake longer but keep watch so they don’t burn.
9. Serve warm with green salad and dip, such as Tahini, or yogurt base Tzatziki. 

Looking for more tasty and unique recipes?

Are you staying away from major food allergens, or are on an elimination diet but don’t know what to eat or how to make meals tasty again?

Check out my favorite non allergen healing cookbook, The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook,  for all the inspiration and motivation you need to heal your body from the inside out!

Click here to check it out!