From Palette to Plate

I love autumn, it's my favorite season! For this month's recipe, I was inspired not only by National Pumpkin Day but also by the wonderful fall new artworks from artist Marjorie Roy.

The warm, rich colors of her landscapes immediately made me think of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. And the soft clouds in her skies, along with her beautiful geese, made me crave a frothy, fluffy, warm milk. That's how the idea came to me to share a homemade pumpkin spiced latte recipe with you!

The final result might not fully capture the complexity of Marjorie Roy's photographic work, but the ingredients and preparation certainly pay homage to it.

And for the finishing touch, I decided to create a sweet little treat to reuse your pumpkin seeds, perfect for enjoying with your warm, spiced beverage.

Pumpkin Spiced Latte with a Sweet Snack

Ingredients:

• 1 medium pumpkin

• 4 tbsp ground cinnamon

• 2 tbsp ground ginger

• 1 tbsp ground cloves

• 1 tbsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tbsp allspice

• ½ cup strong coffee (espresso recommended)

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 cup milk (plant-based or 3.25%)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Thoroughly wash the pumpkin, then cut it in half. Remove the seeds and fibres with a spoon.

2. Roast the pumpkin: Place the pumpkin halves, skin-side up, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for about 1 hour, until a knife easily pierces the flesh. Let it cool.

3. Pumpkin purée: Scoop out the flesh with a spoon and blend it into a smooth purée using a food processor.

4. Spice mix: In a small jar, combine the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Set aside.

5. Prepare the latte: Brew ½ cup of espresso. In a large cup, add 3 tbsp of pumpkin purée, 1 tbsp of maple syrup, and ½ tsp of the spice mix. Stir well.

6. Heat the milk: Use an espresso machine or milk frother to heat and froth the milk. Pour the hot, frothy milk over the spiced coffee-pumpkin mixture.

7. Finish: Sprinkle a little of the spice mix on top and enjoy!

Pair this delightful latte with frosted pumpkin seeds for a sweet treat!

Frosted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups fresh pumpkin seeds

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 3 tbsp brown sugar

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

• A pinch of salt

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Prepare the seeds: Wash and dry the pumpkin seeds thoroughly. Spread them on a baking sheet. You can use the dehydration function on your air fryer for a quick result, or bake them at 300°F for about 1 hour until they become crunchy.

2. Spice mix: In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

3. Caramelize the seeds: Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, pumpkin seeds, and sprinkle the spice mix. Stir well until the spices release their aroma.

4. Add the maple syrup: Pour the maple syrup over the seeds, stirring constantly over low heat. Let cook for about 2 minutes until the syrup lightly caramelizes.

5. Cool and serve: Remove the seeds from the pan and let them cool in a small bowl. Enjoy these sweet, crunchy seeds with your latte!

Enjoy! 😊