For all of those delicious sweets and baked goods that are on full display during the fall, I like to balance those indulgences with something healthy. Rather than reaching for that slice of pumpkin loaf (that’s absolutely calling my name), I’m reaching for some veggies, pita chips, and this amazing pumpkin hummus. It’s rich, fresh, super easy to make, and clearly “on theme” when it comes to fall cooking. I love a good theme and I love a good hummus!

It’s easy to pick up a pre-made hummus at the grocery store, and most times that’s what I do. But hummus is something easily customized so I’ve whipped up a batch of pumpkin hummus. I roast a small pumpkin squash first, seasoned with a little salt and pepper. I give that a quick blitz in my food processor, about 1 cup roasted pumpkin. FYI, canned pumpkin puree is a great short cut or alternative to the fresh-roasted pumpkin. Then I add the fundamental ingredient found in most hummus recipes: chickpeas.

It wouldn’t really be a hummus without chickpeas along with essential seasonings like garlic, cumin, and I personally enjoy a little bit of heat in the form of cayenne pepper, totally optional but I think it puts a little pep in the step of my pumpkin hummus.

On its own, this hummus is amazing, but so much of our eating is actually quite visual, so I want to finish the hummus with a flourish. I drizzle of olive oil, chopped parsley, a dash of paprika for color, and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds over the top. I also think some pepitas would also be a wonderful addition and echo the pumpkin theme of the hummus. That’s it! A beautiful, flavorful, seasonal hummus that is a healthy seasonal snack for everyone to enjoy.