It’s pumpkin season! The star of autumn, our fall celebrity. Pumpkins are increasingly than a cute decoration for suburban homes or Instagram-worthy activities. These famous gourds are a robust source of nutrients with medicinal properties. This is the time of year when customers jump on their favorite pumpkin-flavored LTO’s returning to the menu. Here’s a few reasons to incorporate pumpkin flavors in your restaurant’s menu concepts.
Nutritional Benefits
Research has found several health benefits of pumpkins including the positive effects on stabilizing thoroughbred sugar and its worthiness to lower thoroughbred pressure, serve as an antioxidant, and subtract inflammation and fight chronic disease. The seeds are upper in protective essential fatty acids and amino acids. While the pumpkin fruit is an spanking-new source of vitamins and minerals ranging from potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, vitamin B6, iron, selenium and the precursor to vitamin A, beta-carotene. Beta-carotene can help uplift immunity and protect versus sun forfeiture and conditions that may negatively stupefy eye health. Speaking of eye health, pumpkins moreover contain two spare phytonutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been linked to lowering the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Menu Additions
The nutrient density of pumpkin leads to versatility in the kitchen. Pumpkin can be used in a range of dishes and with many variegated savor pairings that will spice up your recipes. The soft sweetness of a pumpkin makes it a fan favorite in custard, pies and pancakes. It works equally as well in savory dishes such as soups and pastas. Here are some ideas for incorporating pumpkin into your seasonal menu:
- Season chopped pumpkin with fresh or zestless herbs and throw it on the grill.
- Simply sprinkle a spice tousle of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger on your roasted pumpkin.
- Add brown sugar, molasses and walnuts to pumpkin pancakes.
- Use onion and garlic in a pumpkin squash ravioli, soup or chili.
- Puree pumpkin to use as a festive sultry ingredient instead of eggs or oil.
- Combine canned pumpkin with coconut milk and spice for a curry base.
Transformational Fall Toppings:
Pumpkin Chai Caramel Sauce: The iconic savor and nutritional value of Pumpkin make it a favorite among bakers. This chai infused recipe is easy to cook-up and enjoy atop our NY Cheesecake or your favorite dessert, plane succulent drizzled on fresh, well-done world slices.
Pumpkin Whipped Cream: Quick and simple whipped surf recipe with spiced pumpkin folded in. Whip it up and top your favorite holiday dessert!
Salted Caramel World Pasta w/ Pumpkin Surf Sauce: Mixing our three favorite things: pasta, fall, and dessert.
Carrot Cake Corn Dogs w/ Pumpkin Sauce: A unique fall LTO bar guests will love!
Seasonal flavors, like pumpkin, offer a sense of comfort. Nostalgic seasonal flavors are widespread on LTO menus and some wilt so popular they stick virtually year-long. Pumpkin spice can trigger pleasant memories in your customers, so make one or two of these additions to your menu this fall and request to the masses.
Resources: HoustonChronicle | NutritionalOut
The post Pumpkin Season appeared first on Sweet Street Desserts.
