In China, on the other side of the world, it’s fall. This Arizonian is experiencing the first “real” fall since she was four years old. It’s been a treat seeing the painted orange, red and yellow leaves dance to the earth. Experiencing the need for long sleeves, jeans and heavy scarves while fighting the chilly weather that makes my nose turn crimson.
There are no corn mazes, hay rides, scarecrows, pilgrims or turkeys decorating the city of Qingdao. There is no American spirit of fall in China, and that’s okay, because this woman is unleashing the pumpkin girl. A nickname that was given to me from my parents at a young age. It’s my first “real” fall and to me, the thought of no pumpkins, tells me it doesn’t feel like fall. Okay, maybe I just want an excuse to eat pumpkin. China doesn’t have canned pumpkin puree, it has something even better…mini raw pumpkins.
My craving for pumpkins
+
raw pumpkins=
A very determined woman that will bake her pumpkin to get it. (Never underestimate a woman’s craving. )
There are no ovens in the typical Chinese kitchen. If you want one you must buy one. This also means that most Chinese women don’t bake for fun. This is my oven for the next 10 months.
Homemade Pumpkin Puree Directions:
click here
It was a rather easy task to make my own homemade pumpkin puree and the healthier choice. Note: Keep in account the baking time will take 1 1/2 hours and the cooling takes about another hour. Also a perk for baking a pumpkin in the oven is a free Scentsy; it will make your whole home smell like fall.
Ingredients for Gluten-Free Oatmeal Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies:
(adapted from here)
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 1 cup brown sugar (can do 3/4 cup of sugar)
- 6 ounces of pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cup of blended oats (Note I put this portion in a blender and it looks like flour)
- 2/3 cup oats
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup of a chocolate bar chopped (Chocolate Chips are difficult to find here, so chopping a chocolate bar works; it still taste amazingly sweet. )
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