Spicy Sweet Potatoes
Serves: 3-4
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 5-8 minutes
Cook Time: ~15 minutes

Cayenne pepper gives these fries a nice subtle heat!

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Stir together olive oil, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Coat the sweet potato slices with the maple mixture and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, then turn the potato slices over, brush with any remaining maple mixture, and continue baking until tender in the middle, and crispy on the edges, about 7 minutes more.

Pumpkin Empanadas
Serves: 16
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Pumpkin Filling
One 15 ounce can pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Dough
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 (1/2 ounce) packages dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups flour, divided in half
3/4 cup vegetable shortening

Mix the filling ingredients together and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine water, sugar, salt, yeast, baking powder, and cinnamon. Using an electric mixer, gradually blend in half of the flour. Add shortening and thoroughly mix, then gradually blend in remaining flour. Divide dough into 4 equal parts, and then shape each of those parts into 4 dough balls. Work the dough balls between the palms of your well-floured hands until somewhat flattened, then roll out on a floured surface into circles approximately 4 inches in diameter and 1/8-inch thick. Put about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of pumpkin filling in the center of each circle. Moisten the edges; fold dough over and press edges together lightly with a fork. Bake on a greased cookie sheet until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.

Notes
If you don’t have any pumpkin pie spice, trying combining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, or just use one teaspoon of cinnamon.