Yesterday I shared how our family enjoys going to a pumpkin patch each year to pick out our pumpkins for Halloween, and kick off the holiday season with a day of family bonding in the great outdoors. I am sure that some may feel that going to a pumpkin patch might not be for them, if their family is not into carving pumpkins into the traditional scary Jack-o-lanterns that decorate the doorsteps and front yards of those who celebrate Halloween.

There are, however, many other things that you can do with pumpkins, besides carving faces into them. Pumpkins are considered a 'superstar' food, and it is high time that they got the recognition that they deserve. Not just for pie fillings anymore, more and more chefs are finding creative and tasty ways to get pumpkin on more sections of the menu besides the dessert page!

Not only can you spend time together as a family picking out your pumpkins, but you can also spend some fun quality time with each other cooking some great treats and meals for the entire family to enjoy. From Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Bread, to Pumpkin Lasagne, to Curried Coconut Pumpkin Soup, there is something out there for everyone.

Pumpkin seeds can even be made into tasty snacks, just as one would munch on sunflower seeds. They aren't hard to make at all, and can be flavored with just about anything. So even if you aren't into celebrating Halloween, there are still plenty of reasons to go out to a local pumpkin patch and pick a few, or even grab some from your local grocery store and whip up a new, seasonal family treat!