Savory Pumpkin Dip

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 lb bread, whole round loaf, unsliced (see the description above for suggestions)
• 3/4 cup cooked pumpkin, mashed, unseasoned (canned is fine)
• 12 ounces light cream cheese, at room temperature (neufchatel)
• 2 tablespoons mexican seasoning, blend
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (to taste)
• 1/3 cup deli ham, thinly sliced, cut into small pieces
• 1/3 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/3 cup green bell pepper, diced
• 1 (2 1/4 ounce) can black olives, sliced, drained

Recipe

• 1 beat together the pumpkin, cream cheese, mexican seasoning blend,garlic powder, and pumpkin pie spice -- test seasoning and adjust to your liking. (note:if your mexican seasoning is not salty/peppery enough you may wish to add a bit of salt & pepper to taste as well, cayenne pepper if you want it zesty).
• 2 gently stir in diced bell peppers, the ham, and the olives to combine.
• 3 cover and chill until ready to serve.
• 4 before serving, cut off the top of your round loaf of bread and scoop out the middle, forming a bread bowl and lid (see description above for more complete suggestions) and fill the cavity with the dip.
• 5 serve dip with assorted fresh veggies, crackers, chunks of torn bread, etc.