Pumpkin spice butter
Add pumpkin, dates, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice to a large saucepan.
Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes, or until reduced by a third, stirring occasionally. The mixture should be somewhat dry and thicker than applesauce.
Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, and cool slightly. Add cooled mixture to a food processor and blitz until smooth. Cool completely.
Store in airtight containers and refrigerate.
Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Preheat oven to 375˚F.
Spread hazelnuts onto baking sheet. Roast for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and immediately pour the hazelnuts onto a large kitchen towel. Gather up the ends and rub the nuts together inside the towel. Open the towel up and remove the skinless nuts. Repeat the towel process if necessary for nuts with remaining skins. Remove as much of the skins as possible, but do not not worry if a few remain. Add the nuts and remaining ingredients to a food processor. Blitz until smooth (about 5 minutes). You may need to add a little extra apple juice to obtain your desired consistency.
Store the spread in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Apple Butter
Place apples, dates, and cider in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add cinnamon, allspice, and lemon juice. Return the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should be thickened and the apples should be tender. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.
Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Add the mixture to a food processor and blitz until smooth (3-5 minutes).
Store cooled mixture in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
*While Medjool dates are high in natural sugars, they are low on the glycemic index thanks to a balanced amount of soluble fiber. The complex carbohydrates found in Medjool dates are digested at a slower rate, making them a source of dietary fiber and releasing energy to the body over a longer period of time.
