Pumpkin Smoothie

A coffee and pie here, a vegetable curry there, pumpkin is evidently one of the most versatile fruits in any kitchen. From substituting for potatoes in gravies to being featured in Halwa, pumpkins are rightfully dubbed the national vegetable of India.

Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that pumpkin has also been successfully incorporated into the Instagram-famous beverage of the season—Smoothies. The Smoothie is a healthier option than a pumpkin-spiced coffee or pumpkin pie since artificial sweeteners are scarcely added to Smoothies. Instead, other fruits like bananas and dates are added to the already-sweet pumpkin drink in order to mimic a milkshake without sacrificing its nutritional value.

To make Smoothies, the only tool that one requires is a functional blender. The rest, as they say, is an arena for bountiful creativity. From making standalone fruit beverages to combining unexpected fruits and vegetables together, there are absolutely no rules when it comes to stirring up Smoothies.

Making a Pumpkin Smoothie is as simple as its name. A cup of pumpkin puree is blended with milk, chopped ripe bananas, a few dates and crushed ice to make the drink. To enhance the flavour, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice and pepper are also blended in. The banana doesn’t just make the drink sweet, it also thickens its consistency to make it more filling than a fruit juice or milkshake.

Its taste aside, the appeal of Pumpkin Smoothie lies in its numerous health benefits. For one, the viscous drink is full of fibres, which get digested slowly by the body, keeping you feeling full for several hours. The drink also has low-calorie content and therefore is the apt choice for people trying to lose weight. The Vitamin A present in pumpkin is imperative to maintaining a healthy immune system and eyesight. And while there is no scientific evidence to this claim, pumpkins may even prevent cancer.