The weather is cooling down and, let’s face it, as Halloween sneaks up around the corner, we all start craving the coveted fall food: pumpkin.
Yes, many call this delicious squash plant “basic,” but believe it or not, the decadent orange vegetable was popular long before the word “basic” was.
With that being said, I think it’s time we mix it up in the pumpkin department. We can move away from the pumpkin spice latte and into something new.
While carving pumpkins and making the classic pumpkin bread can be fun, there are so many other things you can make with this yummy orange ?treasure.
Without further ado, I bring you the pumpkin maple parfait, a recipe inspired by one found on ? theoatmealartist.com .
Grab a glass cup, or a Mason jar if you’re feeling fancy, and get ?cooking.
Ingredients for the ?pumpkin layer:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1-2 chopped dates (I personally prefer 2 teaspoons of maple syrup)
1 teaspoon chia seeds (these are optional, but they have great health benefits)
A pinch of salt
Ingredients for the ?maple-pecan layer:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup plain or vanilla yogurt (coconut yogurt works, too)
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon chia seeds
A pinch of salt
A handful of chopped pecans (or walnuts if you prefer)
Instructions for cooking:
1. Combine all of the ingredients for the pumpkin layer in a Mason jar or container with a lid.
2. Cover the jar with lid and shake ingredients until they are combined.
3. Combine all of the ingredients for maple-pecan layer except for the pecans in a Mason jar or container with a lid. (The nuts will be used for a garnish later.)
4. Cover the jar with a lid and shake until it is all combined.
5. Store the jars in the refrigerator overnight or for more than five hours.
6. When you are ready to eat or serve the parfait, mix pecans into the maple-flavored oatmeal.
7. In two parfait dishes, Mason jars or tall glasses, add a layer of the pumpkin oatmeal. Then add a layer of the maple-pecan oatmeal to each. Continue alternating until you run out of both of the mixtures.
8. Because of the yogurt, this is best eaten cold. Top your jar or glass cup with more pecans and more maple syrup.
