Earlier this fall, when I signed up to participate in a Virtual Pumpkin Party with other food bloggers from across the country, I dreamed of making a warm, comfort food kind of recipe and even pictured myself wearing a sweater. It is now close to deadline and the temperature is almost 80 degrees and humid to boot. Needless to say, I am not wearing a sweater. My initial dream of a comfort food recipe is taking a cooler turn. A smoothie sounds like the right direction and working with fall flavors like pumpkin and apple is a good start. Then I remembered that a couple of weeks ago, as part of my fall food-preserving pursuits, I froze some homemade applesauce in ice cube trays so that I would have a quick way to enhance recipes with apple goodness in the winter months ahead. I got those applesauce cubes out of the freezer and developed this smoothie recipe that offers you all the warming flavors of fall without turning on your oven or stove. And since I know you will be looking for even more pumpkin recipes in the months ahead - here are the other 90 plus pumpkin recipes from the other food blogger contributors.

Pumpkin Applesauce Smoothie

by Inspired by the Seasons

1/3 c pumpkin puree
3/4 c Greek Vanilla yogurt
2/3 c frozen applesauce (unsweetened)
1 T pure maple syrup
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
Pinch of cinnamon for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Garnish with a pinch of cinnamon.