Savory Pumpkin Dip Recipes

SAVORY PUMPKIN DIP

Steps:

• Beat together the pumpkin, cream cheese, Mexican seasoning blend,garlic powder, and pumpkin pie spice -- test seasoning and adjust to your liking. (NOTE:if your Mexican seasoning is not salty/peppery enough you may wish to add a bit of salt & pepper to taste as well, cayenne pepper if you want it zesty).
• Gently stir in diced bell peppers, the ham, and the olives to combine.
• Cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Before serving, cut off the top of your round loaf of bread and scoop out the middle, forming a bread bowl and lid (see description above for more complete suggestions) and fill the cavity with the dip.
• Serve dip with assorted fresh veggies, crackers, chunks of torn bread, etc.

SAVORY PUMPKIN DIP WITH CRANBERRY REDUCTION

Steps:

• For the reduction: Combine the cranberry juice, sage, bay leaves, honey and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer until reduced to a thin syrup (about 1 tablespoon), 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool, then discard the sage and bay leaves.
• For the dip: Combine the beans, pumpkin, orange zest and juice, pumpkin pie spice, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor. Process to make a chunky paste.
• Drizzle in the olive oil and 3 tablespoons water. Process until thick and very smooth, adding a little more water if needed. Season with salt.
• Spread the dip in a wide, flat serving bowl. Sprinkle lightly with pumpkin pie spice and drizzle with the cranberry reduction. Sprinkle with the pepitas and parsley and serve with Crunchmaster Crackers on the side for dipping.

FESTIVE PUMPKIN DIP

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese, pumpkin, taco seasoning and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in beef, peppers and olives. Cover and refrigerate until serving. , If desired, just before serving, cut top off bread; scoop out bread from inside, leaving a 1/2-in. shell (save the bread from inside to make croutons or bread crumbs or save for another use). Fill shell with cream cheese mixture. Serve with vegetables, crackers or corn chips.

PUMPKIN DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Slice the tops off of the pumpkins. Remove the seeds, and discard. Drizzle the insides of the pumpkins with 1 tablespoon olive oil each. Season with salt and pepper. Place 1 sprig each of rosemary and 1 clove of garlic into the cavity of each pumpkin.
• Place the pumpkins in an oiled 11-by-13-inch pan, and bake in the oven until the skin is easily pierced with a knife, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove pumpkins from the oven, and allow to cool.
• Carefully remove the flesh from the pumpkins, reserving shell from most attractive pumpkin for serving. Squeeze roasted garlic from papery skins; place in the bowl of a food processor. Add pumpkin flesh; puree until smooth. If puree is watery or thin, place it in a fine-mesh sieve lined with damp cheesecloth, and allow liquid to drain for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Add the grated Parmesan and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pumpkin mixture. Stir to combine. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve at room temperature in pumpkin shell with crudites, bread, and crackers.