Coconut Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie – Vegan and No Baking!

 Dairy Free, Dessert, Egg Free, Gluten Free, High Protein, Native Sun Recipe, Quick and Easy, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  5 Responses »
Nov 122012
 

Last Thanksgiving was my first plant based Thanksgiving experience.  Before the holiday I was a bit nervous.  No turkey? At Thanksgiving?  That can’t possible.

But then I made this walnut loaf with all those comforting poultry seasonings.  And you know what?  I liked it even better.  It was moist, flavorful, made great left-overs, was delicious in sandwiches and it was much less expensive than turkey.  Even some of my non-vegan family members tasted it and loved it!

Walnut Loaf

Since I got that big change out of the way last year and it was a stunning success, this year I decided to tackle the pumpkin pie.  I see many recipes with eggs and sweetened condensed milk.  Not only did I want this to be even tastier than the standard pie but much easier and I do believe I accomplished that.

I’m a big fan of texture.  I confess, that is the one thing about pumpkin pie that, for some reason, I miss.  Something else I love? Coconut!

I figured why not marry coconut and pumpkin pie and get the best of both worlds?

Those of you that love that smooth texture – don’t worry!  Simply leave the shredded coconut out of the mix and put a bit more on top.

Coconut Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

  The unexpected texture and sweetness of the coconut and the hint of peanut along with the classic pumpkin pie spice flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice are a delightful surprise. 

I also left the cashews a bit coarser for even more texture and they also add lots of protein!

Vegan Coconut Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

 With some simple, 100% real maple syrup on top – this dessert is over-the-top delicious. 

Coconut Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Coconut Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Serves 10
Vegan, (Gluten Free Option)
Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup raw cashews
1 15oz can pumpkin puree (Farmers Market brand)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
3/4 cup brown sugar (Woodstock Farms)
1/4 cup coconut peanut butter spread, or smooth peanut butter, (Earth Balance)
2 Tbsp potato starch, or corn starch, (Bob’s Red Mill)
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice (Frontier)
1 tsp salt
1 pre-made graham cracker pie crust (Arrowhead mills) 

(For Gluten free use Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Crust)

Optional: Maple Syrup to serve

Directions

1. Soak cashews in water for 3 hours.  Drain and place into high speed blender or food processor; add pumpkin puree through salt.  Blend until desired consistency is reached.

2. Spoon into pie crust; let set in refrigerator for 1 hour to firm. Top with some additional coconut for garnish and pour a bit of maple syrup over top, if desired.

Nutrition Facts
10 Servings
Amount Per Serving 

Calories 455.8
Total Fat 24.5 g
Saturated Fat 5.8 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 4.0 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 623.8 mg
Potassium 106.5 mg
Total Carbohydrate 48.9 g
Dietary Fiber 7.8 g
Sugars 26.1 g
Protein 14.0 g

Vitamin A 243.5 %
Vitamin B-12 0.1 %
Vitamin B-6 2.1 %
Vitamin C 2.0 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 7.5 %
Calcium 4.2 %
Copper 3.5 %
Folate 2.6 %
Iron 8.7 %
Magnesium 4.6 %
Manganese 17.0 %
Niacin 6.6 %
Pantothenic Acid 1.0 %
Phosphorus 4.2 %
Riboflavin 2.7 %
Selenium 3.0 %
Thiamin 1.9 %
Zinc 2.1 % 

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Celebration of Fall from the St Johns River Farmers Market – Stuffed Acorn Squash with Roasted Garlic, Sage, Pumpkin Sauce and Fresh Squash Blossoms

 Egg Free, Farming and Food Sustainability, Favorites, Gluten Free, Low Cal, Vegan, Vegetarian  2 Responses »
Sep 242012
 

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Sauce and Squash Blossoms

What do you do with squash blossoms?

This was the question I heard over and over from customers at the KyV Farm tent set up at the St Johns Farmers Market at Alpine Grove Park last Saturday.  There are many fried and stuffed recipes on the internet so here is a unique one that showcases the fresh blossoms with their sweet, nutty flavor.  They create a beautiful presentation and taste without adding lots of calories – only about five per cup.

The St Johns farmers market is a newly established one right on the St Johns river.  They had a good number of fresh vegetable vendors as well as a great mix of art work, jewelry, crafts and personal care products.  I would like to see some more prepared food vendors (vegetarian would be awesome!), possibly a food truck and some live music, but overall it was a GREAT market and you can find KyV Farm there every week featuring their organic produce.  Please head out there to support this new market – it is every Saturday, 10AM to 2PM, 2060 State Road 13, Switzerland, Florida.

The acorn squash, spaghetti squash, blossoms and garlic are all organically grown from KyV Farm. In fact, the spaghetti squash I had from the end of last season, waiting patiently on the counter for me to use it – so this started out as a spaghetti squash recipe but quickly morphed into a stuffed acorn squash since I bought two of those fresh at the market on Saturday.  There were so many delicious elements in this recipe that I had trouble fitting them all in the title; sweet roasted garlic, aromatic sage and thyme, fresh rosemary, caramel-y roasted onions, squash blossoms and that creamy pumpkin sauce.  This dish incorporates all of the welcoming tastes of fall and if you are like me living in Florida, it is a great way to celebrate the new season, even if we are only just starting to see some cooler weather.

I am SO excited about this recipe and if you try it, I know you will be too!

Lastly, I hope you will follow me on facebook if you don’t already.  It is such a great way to connect with the people that support and follow my blog.  Thank you to all of you!

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Roasted Garlic, Sage, Pumpkin Sauce and Fresh Squash Blossoms

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Roasted Garlic, Sage, Pumpkin Sauce and Fresh Squash Blossoms

Inspired by my friend Caras Cravings
Serves 6 – 1 cup spaghetti squash, 1/2 acorn squash, 1/4 cup sauce

Vegan, Gluten Free
Printable Recipe

Ingredients
1 spaghetti squash**
3 acorn squashes
1 onion
2 small bulbs garlic or one large
Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Sauce
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4 cup nutritional yeast (or Parmesan cheese for non-vegan)
1/2 cup plain non dairy creamer – I used Silk Original (or regular creamer for non-vegan)
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
1/2 tsp dried sage
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 Tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
4 squash blossoms (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Cut squashes in half and scoop out seeds, chop onion, cut tops off garlic and wrap in foil; prepare pans with non-stick cooking spray.   Place squashes face down on pans, add onions and garlic around squashes.  Bake 60 minutes.

2. Add pumpkin puree, nutritional yeast, creamer, salt, sage and thyme to small sauce pan; heat over medium, low heat.  Stir in roasted onions and garlic and simmer mixture, about five minutes or until heated through.

3. Place 1/2 acorn squash on each of six plates, top with 1 cup spaghetti squash and 1/4 cup sauce mixture. Slice squash blossoms; sprinkle evenly over 6 plates, top with sprinkle of chopped fresh rosemary.

**There may be some left over depending on the size of the squash.

Nutrition Facts
6 Servings
Amount Per Serving 

Calories 209.8
Total Fat 2.4 g
Sat Fat 0.2 g
Polyunsat Fat 0.3 g
Monounsat Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 106.8 mg
Potassium 1,080.1 mg
Total Carb 46.7 g
Dietary Fiber 8.0 g
Sugars 12.2 g
Protein 6.2 g

Vitamin A 18.4 %
Vitamin B-12 44.3 %
Vitamin B-6 187.3 %
Vitamin C   52.6%
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 1.1 %
Calcium 12.0 %
Copper 12.8 %
Folate 33.3 %
Iron 14.1 %
Magnesium 24.0 %
Manganese 32.6 %
Niacin 107.5 %
Pantothenic Acid 17.9 %
Phosphorus 16.7 %
Riboflavin 192.1 %
Selenium 13.6 %
Thiamin 238.4 %
Zinc 11.5 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.