Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
|Hello, pumpkin. I'm so glad you're back. It's a true sign that fall is in full swing when this squash and gourd relative starts popping up everywhere we go, from in Starbucks drinks to local farmers markets and grocery stores. I've had pumpkin on the mind these past couple of days for that very reason,
and bought a small pie pumpkin yesterday at Whole Foods so I could experiment with a new raw nut-based pie I've been dreaming up.
We don't have fresh pumpkin in our apartment very often, but we always have a few cans of organic pumpkin puree in our cabinet, even in the summer, since it's a great supplement to add to our puppy Trout's food when he's having a bit of stomach trouble. So this morning, when I opened the fridge and saw a half-filled can on the top shelf I decided to switch up my morning breakfast routine and recreate the pumpkin pie flavors I'd been craving all week in a smoothie.
This smoothie is the perfect "it's the end of summer beginning of fall" drink. It's refreshing and sweet, yet earthy and spicy. Plus, all of the classic ingredients in pumpkin pie (pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg) are incredibly good for you and full of vitamins and minerals. Pumpkins are incredibly high in carotenoids and Vitamin A (just like carrots) which can help inhibit the development of cancer and improve eyesight. The spices in this recipe are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being good for digestion.
If you don't have frozen coconut water ice cubes (I highly recommend this for ALL smoothies), you can use regular ice cubes instead. Feel free to use any milk substitute here as well - I imagine coconut milk would be delicious!
Ingredient list
- 1/3 cup organic pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 2 tablespoons agave or honey
- 4 coconut water ice cubes
- 1/2 large frozen banana
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- raw pumpkin seeds for topping
total time: 5 minutes
yeild: 1 smoothie
level: Simple
Directions
Combine all ingredients except for pumpkin seeds in a high speed blender or vitamix and blend until smooth. Pour into glass and top with raw pumpkin seeds. Drink immediately.
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