Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls

GLUTEN FREE, GRAIN FREE, DAIRY FREE, SOY FREE, EGG FREE, REFINED SUGAR FREE, PALEO, VEGAN, LOW FODMAP

These Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls were created out of my desire to have something that would go nicely with a cup of tea in the afternoon.  Something a little sweet that would nourish and satiate me, without falling into total ‘treat’ territory. 
You know, something that feels like a treat and is comforting with a cup of tea, but doesn’t make you feel like you have to skip the chocolate after dinner.  I’m happy to report that these absolutely hit the spot!
They taste like honest-to-goodness *proper* pumpkin pie.  They get the thumbs up from my toddler and non-wholefoody husband alike.  Not to mention that the only sugar in them comes from the pumpkin!
Now let’s get to the recipe... because let’s face it, pumpkin pie is all over social media at the moment, and unless you have a morbid dislike of pumpkin you’ll have a little hankering for some pumpkin spiced goodness!


Recipe (makes 16)
220g Jap pumpkin, peeled*
80g raw macadamias
60g pecans
70g desiccated coconut (preferably a preservative free variety)
1 tbsp coconut flour
1 tbsp green banana flour
½ tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 tsp pure vanilla essence
Pinch of salt

THE SPICE BLEND
N.B.  I have kept the spices relatively mild so as to appeal to the toddler palate (and my ginger-phobe husband) but please feel free to increase the quantities to your taste. Adding a touch of cardamom and clove will also give your spice mixture more depth and richness.
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ginger

*You can use any variety of pumpkin, but I have chosen Jap pumpkin because it is low FODMAP

Method
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, drizzle your peeled pumpkin in oil and roast until soft and tender.  Set aside to cool.
Now place the macadamias, pecans, desiccated coconut, and chia seeds into your blender and blitz until a coarse butter forms.
Add all remaining ingredients and blitz until your mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
Now at this point you can either pop your mixture into the fridge to firm up for an hour-or-so ( to make rolling the balls easier), or you can lightly dampen your hands and get rolling straight away, it’s up to you.
Once your mixture is rolled into 16 lovely balls, pop them in the fridge or freezer to firm up.  This will take a few hours.
You can keep them naked or roll them in some crushed nuts or desiccated coconut (the latter is how I like them best). 
These energising delights are best kept in the fridge.  They will hold their shape at room temperature but do soften a little over time due to the coconut oil losing its stability when warmed.