The fall season is inundated with pumpkin-related treats, with everything from pumpkin-spice lattes to pumpkin pies being on everyone’s mind. Hy-Vee Dietitian Melissa Boncher thinks the popularity of pumpkin could be a combination of the taste, versatility, and feelings it elicits. She says, “Pumpkin tends to be associated with fall, and that tends to be a favorite time of year for a lot of people. Maybe for some it’s a feeling of nostalgia. I know for people who love food, we love the opportunity to experiment with new foods, and I love cooking with pumpkins.”

To say people experiment with putting pumpkin into food is an understatement, and Boncher believes the possibilities are nearly endless. Some ways people typically use pumpkins include baking it into bread, muffins, pancakes, and waffles, or cooking it into risotto, ravioli, and soup. Boncher even has a recipe for baked pumpkin fries, which can be made salty, sweet, or spicy depending on your taste. Even the pumpkin seeds are a popular treat when they’re baked and salted. For more information about cooking with pumpkins, listen to the In Touch with Southeast Iowa interview with Boncher at KCIIRadio.com starting Wednesday.