Orange Pumpkin Bread Recipe #FreshFinds

I am an eater, not a baker. But given the right motivation I can take on a cake (or cookies). I recently had the opportunity to check out Lucky Supermarket and shop their selection of fresh-from-the-farm pumpkins for an original recipe challenge.

Being new to the West Coast, I had not heard of Lucky Supermarkets before and was surprised that there was one not far from my house. I took my sous-chef with me and we had fun picking out pumpkins. I bought three. One for the recipe and two for carving Jack-o-Lanterns. I couldn't resist...they were 3 for $9.99! That is the best deal on pumpkins I have seen in these parts. Marlie also picked up a mini pumpkin for herself.

We went inside to checkout and I immediately noted how neat the store was. The staff was super-friendly too. A nice cashier helped me use the self-checkout and looked up the codes for the pumpkins. We were in and out in under 5 minutes.

Back home, I cut one pumpkin in two and admired the rich color. Then I wrote out my ideas for a fresh pumpkin recipe. I knew I wanted it to be free of artificial ingredients and healthy. Pumpkin is such a great food. I was determined to do it justice. After a couple of drafts, I had my recipe for pumpkin bread. It took two tries to get it right, but it was worth it! I am so proud of this recipe because it is guilt-free. I ate a slice for breakfast with a cup of chai tea. But you can serve it as a dessert with a side of vanilla bean ice cream if you want to be naughty!

Guilt-free Orange Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients 

• 2 cups unbleached flour 
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder 
• 1/2 tsp baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg 
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp allspice 
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1 cup fresh pumpkin puree* 
• 1 egg 
• 1/4 cup applesauce 
• 1/2 cup raw honey 
• 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 
• 1/4 safflower oil 
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

*To make pumpkin puree, Cut a pumpkin in half and scoop it clean. Carve into pieces, place them in a large pot and cover with water. Boil until tender. Remove skin and place softened pumpkin into a food processor. Pulse until pureed.

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 
2. Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan with olive oil or cooking spray and set aside 
3. Combine dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl 
4. Gently blend pumpkin puree, egg, applesauce, honey, OJ, and oil in a mixing bowl 
5. Add dry ingredients and nuts to the pumpkin mixture and stir 
6. Pour batter into pan and bake for 60 minutes until a toothpick poked through the center comes out clean. 
7. Remove from pan and let cool on a rack

Yield: Makes one loaf. Servings: 10

Visit Lucky Supermarkets online for more ideas for your fresh finds!