Pumpkin Soup

1/2 lb ground sausage
1 med onion
1 clove garlic, minced
4-6 C pumpkin puree (depending on how thick you want it)
1 can chicken broth
1/4 C brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp curry powder

1/2 C heavy cream (or sour cream)  (I like to omit this and then give everyone a dollop of sour cream on their soup so they can stir it in.)

Sautee the sausage, onion, and garlic.  Then, add the remaining ingredients and simmer until well cooked.

Contributed by Amber Parkinson

A Few Leftover Pumpkin Ideas

Instead of throwing your pumpkins out this year, try using them in some recipes!   Here are a few ideas:

1.  Parfait-  Stir 1 cup pumpkin puree into vanilla yogurt.  Layer with granola for a parfait.

2.  Sugar-and-Spice Pumpkin seeds-  Toss pumpkin seeds in melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.  Bake at 300 degrees until golden brown, about 30 min.

3.  Pumped-up pancakes-  Add 1/2 C pumpkin puree and 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice to your favorite pancake batter.  Cook, then top with a dollop of pumpkin-flavored whipped topping (next).

4.   Mousse Head-  Fold 1 C pumpkin puree and 1 Tbsp pumpkin-pie spice into 2 Cups whipped topping.  Use a dollop on top of hot chocolate.

5.  Hummus-  Combine 2 Cups pumpkin puree, 2 Tbsp tahini, 1 garlic clove, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1/2 tsp each ground cumin and salt in a food processor.  Serve with toasted pita bread.

6.  Pumpkin snowballs-  Combine 1 Cup oatmeal, 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 3Tbsp pumpkin puree, 1/4 C brown sugar, and 1/4 C raisins in a mixing bowl.  Form into 1-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar.

7.  Puddin' Pie- Combine 1 packet instant vanilla pudding, 1/2 Cup milk, 1/2 Cup pumpkin puree, and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice.  Pour into a premade graham cracker crust. Chill 2 hours.

8.  Oats and Honey-  Stir 1/4 C pumpkin puree into prepared oatmeal, and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.

9.  Quite a spread-  Stir in pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice into cream cheese.  Spread on toast or bagels.