It’s a shame Americans mostly use pumpkins for two things, pie and jack-o-lanterns.  There is so much more to the pumpkin! Encourage your family to eat more pumpkin.  Try the easy pumpkin gratin recipe below.

Pumpkin has the reputation of being hard to clean and time consuming to cook, but don’t be fooled.  The newer varieties of pumpkin like “Sugar Baby” are smaller, sweeter, more tender and easier to cut and peel than their larger, ornamental cousins. Pumpkin is a delicious and healthy addition to your fall table — and not just as a center piece!

Pumpkin is high in vitamin A, beta-carotene, fiber, and at only 49 calories per cup, it can help you keep your waistline in check.  Plus, pumpkin has one of the highest concentrations of potassium — coming in at 564 milligrams per cooked serving — besting the banana by 142 milligrams!

A quick and hearty fall gratin is the perfect way to introduce cooked pumpkin to your family.  The recipe below is delicious as a vegetarian entree, but it also makes a great side dish, especially when paired with a cast iron seared steak.

Roasted Pumpkin Gratin With Fresh Sage And Cream 

• 1 small cooking pumpkin, such as Sugar Baby, Autumn Gold or Baby Pam, about 2-4 lbs., washed, skin and seeds removed, cut into 1” cubes
• 5-6 fresh sage leaves,
• 1 cup organic heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup good quality shredded parmesan cheese
• salt and fresh ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Toss pumpkin cubes with salt, pepper and sage and put into a large, shallow baking dish that has been lightly buttered or sprayed with cooking spray.  Drizzle 1/2 cup cream over pumpkin. Cover and bake 20-30 minutes, or until pumpkin is beginning to soften. Remove dish and add remaining 1/2 cup of cream along with 1/2 cup of the cheese. Stir to combine, then top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.  Return to oven, uncovered, and continue baking an additional 20-30 minutes, until pumpkin is fork tender and cheese is melted and beginning to brown.  Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes, allowing the cream to thicken slightly.  Stir and serve.  Makes 6 servings.