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Fall is in the air, and it’s in our food as well. From lattes to cupcakes,  the unmistakable flavors that signify the changes of season are all  around us. Yes, I’m talking about pumpkin and the warm spices that go  with it, like cinnamon and ginger.

Since this month’s Recipe Redux theme was “orange foods”, I thought, why not  embrace the season with a delicious and easy orange recipe the entire family  will love?

Canned pumpkin can serve up way more than pie. How about  combining it with banana, oats, eggs, and spices to make a moist  pumpkin-banana bread? Believe it or not, this cake-like treat is chock  full of nutrition. Check out the health benefits of these ingredients:

• Canned pumpkin is high in vitamin A, iron, and potassium. Current  research indicates that a diet rich in vitamin A may reduce the risk of  developing certain types of cancer and offers protection against heart disease.
• One banana contains 467 milligrams of potassium, providing powerful  protection for your heart. Consuming adequate potassium helps your body  prevent high blood pressure and stroke.
• Oats  are a very good source of manganese, an essential nutrient that helps  the body metabolize carbohydrates and fats. Manganese is also essential  for healthy collagen formation for healthy bones and supple skin.
• Eggs contain choline,  which is necessary for brain development and memory. An estimated 90  percent of Americans are deficient in choline. Don’t throw away those  yolks—that’s where you will find choline.
• Cinnamon delays the emptying of food from the stomach, which helps avoid a spike in blood sugar after eating carbohydrates.
• Ginger helps boost immunity, reduce joint pain, and aids in digestive health.

This is a great recipe to make with your kids. You can spend time with them while discussing the colors of the foods and how each ingredient packs a nutritional punch. Top off the project by giving the delicious creation to their teacher for Halloween or Thanksgiving, and attach the recipe.

So, what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen and try it out for yourself.

Pumpkin-Banana Bread

Prep Time: 10 minutes // Cook Time: 1 hour for one loaf, or 40 minutes if using mini loaf pans

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2 mashed ripe bananas
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (you can use corn oil, canola oil, or olive oil or experiment with your favorite)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour (try whole wheat pastry flour or 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour)
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Lightly coat an 8 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan (or four mini loaf pans) with vegetable oil, and wipe off the excess.
• Place mashed banana, pumpkin puree, oil, maple syrup, and eggs in a large bowl. Beat with an electronic mixer on low speed.

• Place flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon in a medium bowl, and stir with a whisk.
• Add flour mixture to banana and pumpkin mixture, and stir or lightly beat until just moist.

• Pour batter into loaf pan, and bake for one hour or until toothpick  placed in center comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.

What are some of your favorite recipes that use canned pumpkin????

 
Don’t forget to check out what my other #RecipeRedux colleagues have done with “orange you glad it’s fall” foods.

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