Tuesday, December 30, 2014

PUMPKIN-JALAPENO HUMMUS




Ingredients:

One pie pumpkin from Trader Joe's (or 2 cups canned pumpkin)
1/2 large jalapeno
1/8 onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. olive oil
4 Tbsp. crushed garlic
1 Tbsp. coconut milk
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
2 Tbsp. tahini
1 small Meyer lemon, halved and seeded
1 handful fresh basil leaves
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1.  If using fresh pumpkin, slice in half lengthwise, dispose of stem, seeds and strings.  Place halves face down in small glass dish, covered with foil, with 1/4" water in 375 degree oven for 1 hour.  Allow to cool slightly and scoop pumpkin out of shell.

2.  Add all ingredients except lemon to food processor and blend well until smooth.  During blending, add juice of the lemon and half of the lemon peel.

3.  Serve with hearty chips, such as blue tortilla chips.

Notes:

*Pumpkin is unbelievably good for you!  See, e.g., http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279610.php

*You may like this even if (like me) you're not a huge hummus fan.

*Careful not to overdo the coconut milk, tahini or olive oil; you'll taste it more than any other flavor.