You probably have one on your porch right now. And your heart wants you to bring it inside and serve it up. We're talking about pumpkin.

Canned or fresh, pumpkin is a superfood, according to the authors of SuperFoods HealthStyle. And this squash is especially good for your ticker because it's chock-full of carotenoids that are known to reduce heart disease risk.

Antioxidant Action
And that's not all, according to the book's authors, Steven G. Pratt, MD, and Kathy Matthews. Pumpkin is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidant vitamins C and E. So don't think of this squash as merely a fall doorstep jazzer upper. Find out why pumpkin is good for your blood vessels, too.

Patty's Pumpkin Pudding
There are healthier ways to get your fill of pumpkin than by eating pumpkin pie -- like this pumpkin pudding recipe from SuperFoods HealthStyle:

Ingredients
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
2 to 4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, optional
2 large eggs (the SuperFoods authors recommend eggs with extra omega-3s)
One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
One 12-ounce can evaporated nonfat milk (or evaporated 2% milk)

Preparation
Mix all the ingredients together and pour the mixture into an 8-by-8-inch casserole. Bake it in a preheated (350 degrees Fahrenheit) oven for about 30 minutes. Don't overbake; the center should be slightly wiggly. Cool and enjoy, or refrigerate for later use.

Find more fun and delicious ways to enjoy pumpkin with these great recipe ideas from EatingWell.