Now that fall is upon us, pumpkins are in season and make a great addition to a wide range of sweet and savory dishes, including made-with-walnut recipes.
Why Walnuts and Pumpkins?
The rich nutty taste and crunchy texture of walnuts add something special to traditional fall dishes. Pairing walnuts with fall produce like pumpkin is a match made in heaven!
What’s more is walnuts are the only nut that’s an excellent source of omega-3 ALA content, with 2.5 grams per ounce. Plus, cooking with walnuts can supplement your daily protein intake since they contain 4 grams of protein per ounce.
Sweet Recipes and Fall-Themed Comfort Food
Cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice are staples of fall-themed desserts. Combining these classic ingredients with walnuts and pumpkin results in warm and comforting treats the whole family can enjoy.
This five-star Pumpkin Walnut Cream Cheese Tart is a fan favorite. Part pumpkin, part cheesecake, this tart is a light and fluffy take on a classic pumpkin pie, and walnuts add nutty flavor and plenty of crunch. You’re sure to be back for seconds.
If you’re pressed for time, these 35-minute Gluten-Free Pumpkin Walnut Muffins are an easy go-to dessert recipe, with their fluffy texture, rich nutty taste and crunchy walnut topping.
As you spend more time baking this season, you may want to try something new. These mouthwatering Walnut White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies mix buttery white chocolate, sweet pumpkin and rich walnut notes. Nothing can beat a batch of these cookies fresh out of the oven.
Pumpkin, Walnuts and Savory Recipes
The leaves are changing, and the weather is getting cooler. It’s the perfect season to sit down together and share a hearty meal at the end of the day. These savory recipes will do the trick.
For a fall-inspired take on an Italian cuisine staple, try these Pumpkin Gnocchi with California Walnut Brown Butter Sauce. The browned butter, pumpkin gnocchi, Parmesan cheese and chopped walnuts come together for a tasty comfort dish that only takes 30 minutes to prepare.
Cooler weather will soon have you craving soup. This savory Curry Pumpkin Walnut Soup recipe introduces some spicy curry notes, while finely chopped walnuts add texture to this fall staple.
This flavorful Pumpkin Walnut Chili will quickly become a family favorite. Pumpkin, walnuts and bulgur create a hearty base, and you can season to taste with chili powder, cumin, oregano and more. It’s easy to personalize this chili recipe, and you can make a large batch to have some leftovers. Try sprucing up a baked potato with leftover chili, or use it for sloppy joe night.
Cooking with Walnuts
Whether you prefer sweet and nutty desserts or want to explore savory flavor combinations, there are plenty of fall recipes to explore. Pumpkin and walnuts make dishes that are brimming with fall flavors and textures. Take a look at our other walnut and pumpkin-inspired recipes for more ideas!
