Missed some weekend posts?
Good morning! Today was the day to see if my frozen pumpkin chunks experiment worked. If you remember, last week I froze globs of canned pumpkin and then placed the globs in a plastic freezer bag.
Last night, I pulled out three chunks and placed them in the fridge to thaw out overnight. A liquid ended up forming around the pumpkin as it melted, which I drained off.
I added the three softened chunks to my oatmeal as it cooked on the stovetop this morning. Normally, I just scoop in the canned pumpkin towards the very end of the process.
Not only did my Pumpkin Oatmeal look pretty, but it also tasted pretty good, too! I couldn’t tell the difference between the canned and canned/frozen pumpkins.
My oatmeal contained:
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup rice milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 sliced banana
- 3 frozen pumpkin chunks
- Toppings: almonds, flax, cinnamon
I do NOT think the thawed pumpkin would work in Pumpkin Yogurt. Freezing it changed the texture too much. It would work well in smoothies, baked goods, or oatmeal, though!
Garmin 305 Raffle Announcement
At lunch, I’ll be sharing details about my Garmin 305 Raffle! The Echelon Gran Fondo Century, which I’m riding in May, raises money for the Livestrong Lance Armstrong Foundation, as well as local cancer research programs and hospitals.
The Garmin 305 is the same GPS watch I use while running and biking. It’s an invaluable tool:
- Tracks mileage
- Automatically calculates pace and updates in real time
- Using an included heart rate monitor to tell you how many calories you’ve burned
- Has a multi-sport function so you can use it for multiple activities
- Includes a navigation and map tool, so if you get lost in the woods like I did on Saturday, you can find your way out!
- And much, much more!
Stay tuned for details on how you can enter the Garmin 305 raffle (for just $5!) to raise money for cancer research!
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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Glad to hear the experiment was a success
. I will definitely be entering that raffle..I have a Garmin 50, but would love that baby!
I love my Garmin 305! For anyone who does not have one, you should enter the raffle for sure.
I need to look up how to use the navigation and map tools. I just recently figured out how to track splits while running and it’s so nice to have the extra data
Glad the frozen pumpkin worked well! I have had success with it, too, but used it more in baking than oatmeal. It is a great idea!
I was wondering about the pumpkin! Good to know. Now I’d experiment with it if I could only get my hands on it! lol
Awesome giveaway coming up:)
That’s good to know about freezing the pumpkin!
I’m so excited about the Garmin Raffle!
good to know about the pumpkin! I am on the lookout for it at the grocery store this week!
That’s fantastic about the pumpkin!! I’ve had to buy the huge cans before and end up wasting half.. hate that!!!
So cool about the raffle!!! I have a Garmin.. but I have yet to use it. Got it for Christmas but then had my injury .. i CANT wait to use it!
Why had I never thought about freezing pumpkin?? Actually, I’ve never head trouble using up a can before it goes bad. Seriously, I could eat anything with pumpkin!
Oooh a Garmin raffle!!
I’m glad pumpkin freezes well, thanks for experimenting! I hate wasting food.
Yes! Stoked for this raffle.
I still haven’t tried canned pumpkin in my oatmeal or with yogurt. Thanks for the experiment with freezing it – I’ll definitely buy some!
That’s good to know about the pumpkin, I definitely stockpiled some in the fall
I’m glad there’s a whole sisterhood of pumpkin-freezers out there–I get strange looks when people come over for parties and find them while looking for ice
With you on the texture, too; it’s fine for cooking, but not where texture is needed.
The bf got me the Garmin 305 for V-day, and I can’t wait to use it!
Glad that the pumpkin froze well – I threw some in mine last week and was waiting to hear how yours did! I have a Forerunner 305 and lurrrve it!!! It’s amazing to be able to look down and see exactly what my pace is at all times!
Hooray for the frozen pumpkin experiment!! Have you ever tried freezing squash? I did once, it came out green…:s
I’ve got a Garmin 305 and I so couldn’t live without it – people should definetly enter to get one!!
And I thought freezing my bananas was the best idea this year!
Must do pumpkin. I haven’t had it in a while and am craving a giant pumpkin smoothie: add greek yogurt, almond milk, pumpkin, cinnamon and blend away. I always add spinach for extra umph but the color is less than pretty. If you can get past that…so delish!
Glad your frozen pumpkin experiment worked well! I’m a big fan of frozen bananas…although I made some banana soft serve last night that nearly broke my food processor!
Glad to hear the results of the frozen pumpkin! That’s good to know! Especially with all of the shortages.
what an awesome giveaway! can’t wait for more details…
also, thanks for the update on the pumpkin. i can’t seem to find any at this point, but if i do i’ll probably be using that technique!
Glad to hear the pumpkin was a success. Now, if I can ever find it again, I will give that a try!
I’ve been freezing EVERYTHING recently. The only thing that I accidentally froze (wasn’t thinking when I put it away) that was a massive failure was my spinach. Oops.
I’m so glad I can find canned pumpkin year-round! Texture is entirely too important to me when it comes to eating!
I love freezing stuff. It’s a great way to preserve and not lose nutrients.
we have a pumpkin shortage here and I can’t find it anywhere! your frozen pumpkin is making me a little sad haha!
VERY excited for the raffle!!
I’m not to familiar with the Garmin. I have a Polar F6 that I wear when I workout but it seems like the Garmin has a ton more features. Maybe I will have to stop in the Garmin store in the near future.
It’s Girl Scout Cookie time…my husband bought five boxes yesterday and I was thinking this morning, someone in the food blog world has got to do a “tagalong” inspired oatmeal creation. Crumbles of girl scout cookie goodness over warm oatmeal, has to be good right? If I had a blog, it would def. happen. I’m not sayin’ just sayin’…
i saw the GS yesterday TWICE and dodged them, and now i regret it. i want thin mints!
Great idea for a giveaway! Cant wait for the details. I also freeze a ton of stuff. I like to cook in bulk and if I cant eat it all within a few days, freeze it up and save it for later!
I’ve been using the Garmin 305 for over a year now and I had no idea it had a navigation and map feature! I’ll have to check the manual, I guess… Funny!
I’ve frozen pumpkin before and have used it to mix into my yogurt. I usually microwave the pumpkin for 30 seconds and then mix it up a little and then put it back into the micorwave for however long I think it needs without it heating up or anything. I think it tastes fine mixed into yogurt after it’s been frozen. Just letting you know that it may be something you want to try
this gives me hope!! i’ll try it.
I’ve been freezing pumpkin for a while, and only recently started thawing it to put in smoothies. What I usually do is freeze it in like a 1/4 cup ball, defrost in the microwave for about 20 seconds, and then add it to a vanilla smoothie mix. Then you get a pumpkin smoothie that’s cold/slushy without ice!
I can’t buy canned pumpkin in Germany (gasp!) and went without all last year. This autumn, I stocked up. I baked, mashed, and froze 1/4 cup portions like there was no tomorrow! About every other week I “treat” myself to pumpkin oats. Hmm… can we say Tuesday morning breakfast?
The oats look great!
weird that you mentioned frozen pumpkin. I’ve been thinking about freezing some for my pup, instead of giving her puppy ice cream. I think she’ll still love it despite the extra liquid.
omg best idea EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR you are so smart.
Right!! Good for their digestion and totally yum! My little lady packs on the pounds quick– what can I say, she’s a Perrone.Maggie and James shall love it!
I have some pumpkin in the freezer right now … so I will have to keep this in mind when I thaw it out.
I never need to freeze pumpkin because I go through it so quick! Whenever I open a can, even a ginormous one, it’s still gone within like 3 days. What a good idea though!
Oh my goodness. Never even heard of canned pumpkin in my life before. Doesn’t anyone eat fresh vegetables anymore?