The summer sun has set, and autumn has arrived! Leaves start to change colors, the air gets crisper, and our taste for all things pumpkin begins to get serious. Fall into Microgreens this season with fun and delectable activities and recipes for the whole family.
Fall Microgreens Activities
Get Connected to Your Local Food System
Finding ways to get excited about local foods is a great way to make nutritious foods like squash, broccoli, and carrots appealing. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to teach kids more about where their food comes from. Here are a few ways to pique their interest this harvest season:
- Have your kid pick out an item at the co-op, then prepare a meal with them using their chosen local food. You can ask a staff member what’s seasonal or look at the shelf tags to see where items are from.
- Make freezer jam out of their favorite berries. By making freezer jam, kids can learn about food preservation and enjoy their favorite fruit into the fall season.
- Sip cider and jump in the hay at a local orchard. While you’re picking apples together, be sure to talk about how much work goes into growing so many types of apples.
- Let your kids play with their food. Make an art project out of local foods, such as seed art or veggie sculptures.
- Whether you’re grabbing one from our store or heading to a pumpkin patch to enjoy the festivities, pick the perfect pumpkin for Halloween. Carve it, make a holiday pie, or even turn the guts into dog treats (see recipe below!).
Activity source: https://www.tiktok.com/@goingzerowaste_/video/7158482138143214890
Turn Pumpkin Guts into Dog Treats
Don’t throw away your pumpkin scraps after carving that jack-o’-lantern! You can roast the guts, flesh, and stringy bits, then blend them into a smooth purée to make dog-friendly treats. Make sure to remove all the seeds, because while they’re good for us, they aren’t great for dogs.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pureed pumpkin innards, made by removing seeds from the pumpkin and pureeing scraps in a blender until smooth
- ½ cup ground flax seeds
- 3.5 cups flour, added one cup at a time
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Mix the ingredients together, then knead and roll out on a floured surface.
- Cut into desired shapes.
- Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Looking for something to do with your seeds? Check out this easy roasted pumpkin seed recipe.
You’ll need:
- A pumpkin
- Olive oil
- Salt and other favorite spices
Have an adult help cut the top of your pumpkin to remove the seeds. Rinse and place them in a bowl of water to remove any pumpkin—seeds will sink to the bottom and the membrane will float to the top for easy discarding. Let the seeds dry on a paper towel overnight.
Preheat your oven to 275 degrees. Place the seeds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and your favorite spices. Bake for 40 minutes or until seeds are crisp.
Source: https://kristineskitchenblog.com/roasted-pumpkin-seeds/
