Pumpkin sauce（南瓜醬）

南瓜，一名麥瓜，味甘、平。性微寒，入脾胃二經，橫行經絡，分利小便- -《湞南本草》

The abundance of joyfulness is always within you! So look inward!

I have really been slowing down lately to observe and enjoy the nature around me at this time of the year. An adjustment to the surroundings is the first step for me to get ready for the “Fall hiding”( 秋藏) . Once I slow myself down, I noticed a whole lot more in the nature that I would have neglected. The blowing sound of the autumn wind, the vines on a fallen red maple leaf and the floating marshmallow shaped clouds on a clear sunny day. All these together really help me to settle down during the change of the season.

The other big reason I LOVE autumn is because of the harvest time for pumpkins, all kinds of pumpkins! I didn’t realize in the States there are quite a few variety than what we’ve got in China! For a foodie like me, it’s really the more, the merrier! In addition to my recipe creation, I somehow resonate with pumpkins or really any other root veggies, like beets and potatoes. I feel so grounded when I remind myself how they are nourished in rich organic soil. They concentrate the energy from the earth, the sun, and occasionally the rain. To me, they are precious gifts from Fall!

As you might have guessed, pumpkins become part of my everyday routine from the moment they appear at my local farmer’s market! So far, I have made Thai pumpkin soup, pumpkin hummus, pumpkin squares…you name them! However, this pumpkin sauce has become my new favorite despite the fact that it’s not a typical Asian recipe.

It adds so much flavor over steamed veggies and rice!