Terrific Tailgating

Layered Monterey Pumpkin Dip
Hint of Honey Pumpkin Spread

(Family Features) - Autumn brings one of my favorite weekend activities: tailgating!

Whether we're heading for the stadium or watching the gridiron action on TV, I like to offer a winning menu to help the crowd cheer for the home team. Here are a few of my party-perfect tips:

• Offer sure-to-please food that can be eaten without silverware, while walking around or watching the action.
• Provide heavy-duty disposable (or unbreakable, reusable) plates and sturdy napkins.
• Show your spirit with team colors on the table.
• Play the team's fight song-and see if anyone actually knows the words!

No matter how many touchdowns there are, you'll score big with crowd-pleasing dips and spreads. Try two of my personal favorites-a classic layered dip and a creamy spread for chips and crackers-that include the delicious, yet nutritious twist of pumpkin. It's a win-win: the pumpkin is creamy, colorful and allows the flavors of the recipes' complementary ingredients to come charging through.

The power of pumpkin is indisputable. It's a rich source of nutrients, is low in calories and fat, and is naturally sodium-free. One-half cup of pumpkin provides more than a day's worth of powerful antioxidant Vitamin A, plus a significant amount of your daily fiber requirement. All this, and it's tasty too!

I've discovered delicious new tastes by adding pumpkin to some of my favorite tailgating dishes. Give these a try:

• Stir a little pumpkin into a tomato-based pasta sauce for added fiber and body
• Add it to mashed potatoes to cut fat and add flavor
• Mix it into chili to boost fiber and cut sodium

For football-season favorites and everyday, family-pleasing treats, count on VeryBestBaking.com for the most delicious ideas on the field.

Layered Monterey Pumpkin Dip
(Makes 12 about 45 servings, 2 tablespoons servings each)

1 can (15 ounces) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 package (8 ounces) 1/3 less fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), at room temperature
3 tablespoons sliced jalapeños juice
1 container (8 ounces) reduced fat sour cream
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles
2 tablespoons chopped, sliced jalapeños
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
Tortilla chips

COMBINE pumpkin, cream cheese and jalapeño juice in medium bowl. Spread into 8-inch-square baking dish.

COMBINE sour cream, chiles, jalapeños and garlic salt in small bowl. Spread over pumpkin mixture. Top with tomato, olives, green onions and red onion. Cover; refrigerate for 2 hours.

SERVE with tortilla chips.

Nutrition Information per serving: 25 calories, 15 calories from fat, 2 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 65 mg sodium, 2 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g sugars, 1 g protein, 25% vitamin A

Hint of Honey Pumpkin Spread
(Makes 10 servings - 2 tablespoons each)

1 package (8 ounces) 1/3 less fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), at room temperature
1/2 cup Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
2 tablespoons honey
1 pinch ground cinnamon

STIR cream cheese, pumpkin, honey and cinnamon in medium bowl for 1 minute or until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate in tightly covered container for up to 4 days. Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

SERVE with apple slices or whole-wheat crackers.

Nutrition Information per serving: 70 calories, 45 calories from fat, 5 g total fat, 3 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 100 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate, <1 g fiber, 4 g sugars, 2 g protein, 30% vitamin A

Jenny Harper is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com

SOURCE: Nestlé