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It is autumn time and the season when the leaves are changing colors, pumpkin patches abound and kids are gearing up for Halloween trick or treating. It is a busy time of year and a start of new beginnings for most kids. It is also a great time to get kids involved in the kitchen and cooking. For in autumn time apples, garden harvesting and pumpkins are readily available. Try some of these autumn time recipes and cooking activities with your kids and celebrate the season.

Chunky Applesauce in the crock pot
6 medium apples
1/3 Cup water
' Cup sugar
' teaspoon cinnamon
Have adult peel and cut apples in chunks. Place in crock pot. Child can add water, sugar, and cinnamon to apples and stir together. Cover and cook on low 8 hours.

Squash Centerpiece
Pick a butternut squash that is free of blemishes. If it doesn't stand upright on its own slice off some of the bottom so it is flat. Cut off the top of the squash and hollow out seeds and insides.(as you would a pumpkin) Cut out any excess flesh inside. Place on a small saucer or plate. Use your squash vase for flowers and decorate your autumn table.

Pear and nut pizzas
pizza crust
chopped pears
chopped nuts
brown sugar
nutmeg
vanilla yogurt
Bake pizza crust until golden brown. Layer pears and nuts over top of pizza and sprinkle with brown sugar and nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until sugar is melted. Serve a slice of pizza with a scoop of vanilla yogurt on the side.

Flavored Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Fresh Pumpkin seeds out of hollowed out pumpkin
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
Clean pumpkin seeds with water and pat dry. Mix ingredients together and toss pumpkin seeds to coat evenly. Place on a cookie sheet in an even layer and bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour or until seeds are browned. Stir once or twice during cooking time.

Helping your child understand where and how fruits and vegetables are grown can help peak their interest in eating healthy. Cooking is a great opportunity to teach kids these skills that will last them a lifetime and build memories to pass on to their own children.