Photo: Leigh Loftus
Did you know that there is a pumpkin shortage this year? Not good news for people like me, who look forward to pumpkin scones with the wide-eyed anticipation of a six-year old on Christmas morning.
I found this recipe on the Internet one year in a fervent effort to find something pumpkin that wasn’t all cream cheese, cheesecake or cookie. Contrary to its ubiquitous presence in autumnal desserts, pumpkin is actually quite nutritious. Low in fat and calories, high in beta-carotene (which converts to Vitamin A) it’s the added butter, eggs and sugar that that give pumpkin desserts a bad rap.
If you like apple butter, you’ll probably like pumpkin butter just as much. Despite its name, there is no butter in pumpkin butter and it’s a great spread on toast, muffins, scones or even sandwiches. The fun part about this is that you can make it in the microwave and the only dish you’ll have to wash is your measuring cup. The added bonus is that the aromatic scents of allspice, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon will linger in your kitchen for hours.
Photo: Leigh Loftus
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1½ cup pumpkin
- Combine the two sugars, water, allspice, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon in a 4-cup glass measure. Microwave on high 3 minutes; stir. Add pumpkin and microwave on HIGH 5 minutes. Let cool and refrigerate. Keeps several weeks in refrigerator or can be frozen.
19 Comments
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patricia Holder
November 6, 2009 at 9:55 pmSo-o-o easy, so FABULOUS tasting. Thank you Ina!
Laurie
November 2, 2009 at 1:40 pmI made this on Saturday — it was ridiculously easy & tastes ridiculously delicious! I put it on a 16 calorie “cocopop”. Since the cocopop is basically tasteless, you can really savor the taste of the pumpkin butter. Do you have any other fruit “butter” recipes?
Erin
October 22, 2009 at 5:35 amHaha… thanks for pointing me out! I am a pumpkin-head what can I say? I actually have a pumpkin recipe I need to blog….
Anyways, can you believe I haven’t made pumpkin butter? Thanks for sharing this recipe, maybe soon I actually will! Currently I’ve been eating the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter. It’s AMAZING mixed in Oikos vanilla or plain yogurt! Seriously. Holy Cow. Try it with your pumpkin butter!
Jessica
October 20, 2009 at 8:57 pmIn light of this shortage, you can have any pumpkin assigned to me 🙂
Kate @ Savour Fare
October 20, 2009 at 5:00 pmThis might negate the anti-cream cheese healthy bit, but one of my favorite mix ins for oatmeal this time of year is a spoonful of pumpkin butter and a spoonfull of whipped cream cheese.
Christina
October 20, 2009 at 2:37 pmI hope the pumpkin shortage ends soon – I love pumpkin butter but have never made it homemade. Great recipe!
Christina
October 20, 2009 at 2:36 pmI hope the pumpkin shortage ends soon – I love pumpkin butter but have never had homemade. Great recipe!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
October 20, 2009 at 1:08 pmCome to the country; there’s no pumpkin shortage here!
thatShortChick
October 20, 2009 at 12:33 pmyay!! and I can actually do this one!! (so sad, I know).
I’ve been an avid apple butter fan during this time of year for quite some time and have never thought of the brilliance of pumpkin butter. can’t wait to try it.
Laurie
October 20, 2009 at 12:03 pmI can’t wait to go home and make this!
kat
October 20, 2009 at 10:09 amWe bought some pie pumpkin at the farm last weekend to make some pumpkin butter too.
beyond
October 20, 2009 at 9:14 amseriously, a pumpkin shortage? i had no idea. now i feel like running out to get some. (it’s a good thing there are similar squashes to use, butternut, acorn…)
Sophie
October 20, 2009 at 8:12 amWhat a neat idea, maris!! Great for all sort of uses,…
MMMMMMMMMM!!!!
VeggieGirl
October 20, 2009 at 7:09 amHope the pumpkin shortage is temporary – eek!
Mmm, scrumptious spiced spread!
Daryl
October 20, 2009 at 5:23 amWhat a beautiful picture you have presented as well as a fabulous recipe. Anything with the word butter in it has to be good!
elra
October 20, 2009 at 2:37 amOh my, couldn’t be more easier then this.