Recipe - Candied Pumpkin for Halloween! :)

Since it's almost time for Halloween, how about some candied pumpkin? I love this recipe. :)

Candied Pumpkin

Ingredients:

2 small pumpkins or 2 large winter squash
¼ C. slaked lime (cal or builder's lime, available where building materials are sold)
7 C. water
10 C. dark brown sugar or piloncillo
3 C. white sugar
6 cinnamon sticks, 2 ½"- 3" long
¾ tablespoon anise seeds
½ teaspoon whole cloves
2 C. heavy cream for whipping (optional but delicious)

Directions:

1. Perforate the pumpkin or squash with holes about the diameter of a drinking straw, making 8-10 wholes for a small pumpkin. The holes should go all the way through the shells.

2. Place the pumpkins in a large stockpot with the slaked lime and water to cover and soak for 3 hours. Remove pumpkins from lime solution, drain and rinse thoroughly.

3. Put the pumpkins back in the stockpot with the 7 cups water and remaining ingredients (except the whipping cream) which will form a syrup. Cook over medium heat for 2 hours or until the pumpkins are tender, basting with the syrup from time to time.

4. Allow the pumpkins to cool in the syrup. Cut into pieces and serve pieces topped with syrup and whipped cream. Pumpkins may be prepared ahead and stored up to 4 days in the refrigerator, with the syrup stored in a separate container in the refrigerator. If using whipped cream, whip just before serving.

Each pumpkin serves 8.

Recipe - Double Apple Cinnamon Smoothie

Want to enjoy the great taste of apples, but still eat healthy? We already know apples are good for us, but it's been discovered that cinnamon is heart healthy as well. You can replace a meal with this delicious and filling Double Apple Cinnamon Smoothie. I love it, and I think you will, too. Just make sure you top it with enough cinnamon to be healthful. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/4 C. frozen apple juice concentrate, not thawed
1/2 C. cinnamon applesauce
3/4 C. vanilla or plain fat-free or light soymilk
3/4 C. low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt
1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice
Powdered cinnamon

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender container.

2. Cover; blend at high speed for 1 minute.

3. Pour into frosty mugs, if desired, and top with powdered cinnamon.

Yield: 2 servings.

Fall Shopping Tips - Apples

There are hundreds of varieties of apples. Some are tart, some are sweet, some have a honeyed taste, and some are rather floral. Whatever variety you prefer, look for apples that are hard, with the stems still attached and no bruises. The skin can be glossy or rough, but it should always be taut, never wrinkled. Apples don't keep as long as many people think, and should be used within two weeks of purchase. Store them in a cool place in your kitchen or refrigerate then uncovered. If you want to cut up some to freeze for pies and tarts later in the year, try using McIntosh. This variety freezes well.