October traditionally has pumpkins galore, not just because it is a garden seasonal at the time, but also because in many places certain holidays celebrate using pumpkins - Thanksgiving and Halloween! 

Pumpkins are not just beautiful and delicious, but also have many health benefits. Here are a few perks of including pumpkins in your diet:

• Rich in Vitamin A - This is important because Vitamin A can help strengthen your immune system

• Rich in antioxidants including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin - Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and as a result protect your cells. 

• Contains Vitamins C and E - These two vitamins function as antioxidants and also help fight free radicals that could damage your eyes

• Low Calorie, Nutrient Dense, Great Fiber Source - One of the best foods and snacks when you want to eat healthy. This amazing squash is a weight management dream because it has less carbohydrates than similar foods, is right in fiber, and is made up of 94% water.

These are just some of the benefits of pumpkins. This amazing fruit/vegetable (botanists consider it a fruit while culinary experts think more of it as a vegetable) is a great addition to your diet. Here is a simple recipe from Once Upon a Chef to try at home. Click on the picture to go directly to the page and see a step by step picture guide.