Thursday, October 29, 2009

Do Your Hands Turn Orange?

When your hands turn orange, I think it's safe to assume that you've eaten your fair share of pumpkin.

The other day at work, one of my coworkers noticed an orange hue on my palms. I didn't really think much about it, until I noticed the same thing this morning. I showed Toly and he replied "Ha, you're actually turning into a pumpkin."

So yes, I may be turning into a gourd, but to be honest, my love for this vegetable is far too great to care if my entire body turns to a carrot.

I've definitely been eating and making my fair share of pumpkin inspired recipes these days. The one thing I admire about this ingredient is the fact that it is so versatile. I love it in every form, sweet, savory, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'm also becoming fascinated with the level it takes when united with other unconventional ingredients.

Tonight's dinner is a stimulation of my latest pumpkin-inspired design….

Black Bean and Pumpkin Enchiladas

2 T of Canned Pumpkin Puree
2 T of diced Tomatoes
2 T of Black Beans
1 T minced Garlic
2 T crumbled Goat Cheese
Baby Spinach
Cumin, Salt/Pepper, Chili Powder, Cinnamon, Smoked Paprika
1 Whole Wheat Tortilla
Salsa

Combine the pumpkin, tomatoes, corn, garlic, and seasonings in a bowl. Lay out your tortilla and spread the pumpkin mixture in the center. Add the goat cheese and lay some spinach on top.
Roll the tortilla and place seam side down in a baking dish. Top with salsa and bake for 20 min at 350*. (You can also top with cheese as I did for Toly's, if cheese is your thing)





Everything melted together and it turned into one gooey, heavenly, pumpkiny, mexican mess. Delicious!


I prepared a quick guacamole to serve with the enchilada.

These were incredible easy to make and quite delectable.



The world of opportunities for pumpkin goes far beyond the standard Pumpkin Pie these days. I think I have convinced myself that one could add pumpkin to just about any type of dish and it would turn out great!

It may turn you orange, but who says a natural glow from eating your powerhouse veggies is a bad thing? :)


Besides, being a pumpkin is rather cute....


Just ask Benny....









18 comments:

  1. Hahaha you were caught orange-handed :)

    If you turned into a pumpkin I would eat you...or bake muffins with you!!

    Your pumpkin creations are endless--you should write a pumpkin cook book!

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  2. Ugh, I agree!! Pumpkin goes with everything! : ) I agree with the pumpkin cook book too ; )

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  3. awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww puppers dressed up! Too cute! I think its awesome that you're turning orange...now I want to be orange haha. Pumpkin is amazing. Even by itself with just some honey (one of my favorite ways to eat it). Dinner looks fabulous. I love your creations. Almost the weekend!!

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  4. Haha, I lived with orange hands for a loooong time. At first I didn't care, but as they got more orangey and noticeable I decided to cut down on the pumpkin for a bit. It was hilarious cause my bio teacher was talking about how beta carotene gets trapped in the skin as carotenoids, and it's from orange vegetables. She was like, but don't worry about turning orange because you really have to OD on it for that to happen. I was like ".....it's not THAT hard...." haha.

    That said, I'm totally fine with a slight orange tint and probably will always have it cause I love pumpkin! Speaking from experience, it is a little awkward when you're getting near the all-out orange shade ;) The enchiladas look amazing and sorry this comment was WAY long, haha.

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  5. Love love love Benny!! And yes I worry about turning orange - b/w my love of squashes and baby carrots...it's bound to happen! Oh well...better than a 'fake tan'. haha.

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  6. Love love love Benny!! And yes I worry about turning orange - b/w my love of squashes and baby carrots...it's bound to happen! Oh well...better than a 'fake tan'. haha.

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  7. Lauren--my hands are TOTALLY orange, too! I thought it was just me :) Oh well. I like to think that it gives my pale self a more "glowing" skin tone. lol. Have a great Friday girl, and eat ALL the pumpkin you want! xoxo

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  8. Hi Benny!!!

    That is too funny! Well your the prettiest pumpkin I ever did see :) Those enchiladas sound great! Reminds me of the recipe I sent you. I wonder how the mole sauce for it tastes. I hope you have a faaaabulous Friday my orange friend lol.

    XO

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  9. Thank you so, so much for the sweetest comment EVER on my blog. That really meant alog. I am so excited to follow along with you!!

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  10. I don't think I've ever had anything savory with pumpkin. Those enchiladas sound fantastic!! I used to joke with my coworkers that they should just call me Lindsay (Lohan) because I was/am orange. Mmmm orange foods!

    Benny - what a cutie pie!!

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  11. Mmmm those sound soooo good! Love the pumpkin theme to the enchilladas :) YOUR PUP IS SOOO CUTE <3

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  12. HA! You're a pumpkin!! :)

    Benny looks too cute!

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  13. I'm disappointed you didn't provide us with photographic proof of this phenomenon!

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  15. Shhh! I'm trying to ignore the fact that I'm turning into a pumpkin myself. I eat something orange every single day!

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  16. haha Benny is sooo cute!!

    and yes, pumpkin= zee bomb. I have huge costco cans, and they make me so happy! :D

    enchiladas look so fab!

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  17. Yum! Your enchiladas remind me of my favorite thing to order at this Latin place in town...chickpea, spinach, and butternut squash enchiladas. They're SO good!

    My little niece has an orange hue to her nose because she loves sweet potatoes and carrots so much! Hehe!

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