# Baked Gourd Fries These Homemade Fries are Creatively Made from Freshly Sliced Pumpkin By M | Published 2015-09-30 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sliced-pumpkin References: [thekitchn](http://www.thekitchn.com/yes-you-can-bake-pumpkin-into-fries-224198) & [backtoherroots](http://backtoherroots.com/2015/09/07/baked-parmesan-pumpkin-fries/) Often French fries are made using potatoes but that's not the case with this innovative homemade fry recipe made using freshly sliced pumpkin instead. These gourd fries are also cleverly baked making them a healthy alternative to the popular fast food side. Pumpkins are an extremely versatile fruit with subtle flavors that can be incorporated into both sweet and savory dishes. These homemade fries ingeniously use the pumpkin flesh to create matchstick fries that are seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt and freshly grated parmesan cheese to give them a crispy and cheesy texture. Despite being made of pumpkin, these fries retain their shape and tenderness despite being baked. This would be a great wholesome side to serve along with a variety of meals during the autumnal season when pumpkins are plentiful. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Pumpkin-based Recipes:** Restaurants can introduce unique, healthy sides by exploring and incorporating pumpkin and other unconventional produce into their recipes. - **Healthy Fast Food Alternatives:** Food brands and restaurants can innovate by introducing healthier alternatives to popular fast food sides. - **Vegetable Fries:** New types of fries can be created by using different vegetables to cater to health-conscious consumers and those who want more variety in their fast food options. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** Food brands and restaurants can explore unconventional produce and introduce healthy menu options to promote wellbeing and cater to changing consumer preferences. - **Agriculture:** Farmers can partner with food brands to promote more versatile produce and explore innovative ways to market crops for diverse use cases. - **Food Equipment and Technology:** Equipment and technology businesses can develop new machines and technologies that cater to the creation of different vegetable fries and healthier fast food options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Colorful Root Veggie Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/root-vegetable-fries.md) - [Fry-Style Snack Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pipcorn-fries.md) - [Air-Fried French Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-fried-french-fries.md) - [Low-Fat Ready-to-Bake Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skinny-fries.md) - [Vegan Veggie Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-veggie-fries.md) - [Rippled Air-Fried Side Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ripple-fries.md) - [Enhanced Superfood Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-fries.md) - [Veggie-Packed Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dr-praegers-sensible-foods.md) - [Chromatic QSR Veggie Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/french-vegetable-fries.md)