I hope you aren’t all pumpkin-ed out yet (Is there such a thing?), because I have a new sandwich idea I think you are going to love…and it uses pumpkin! With these sandwiches, you will take some spiced canned pumpkin and spread it on a piece of bread and then add ham, Swiss, and pears before grilling the sandwich. If you are a pumpkin lover, you will love these sandwiches. If you are a ham and Swiss lover, you are going to love these sandwiches. If you love trying new things, you are going to love these sandwiches. Who am I missing? Ahh…yes…

What if you don’t love pumpkin spice and everything nice?

I made this sandwich about three different ways before I finally landed on the recipe as you see it here. The first time, I made it without any seasonings, and it was just okay, in my opinion. My husband and daughter really liked it that way, but I felt like it needed some spice. I wanted the sandwiches to taste more “pumpkin-y” because that was what I was going for originally. So, I added a little cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and ginger to my pumpkin spread, and I was pleased, but my husband, who is not really a “pumpkin spice latte” kind of guy still thought it was better before I added the seasoning.

So you can do what you like with that information. I just thought I would mention it in case if it can help anyone. If you want to feel like you just ate something with pumpkin in it, add the spice. If that is not your aim and you just want a nice ham and cheese toasty, you can leave out the spice…or the pumpkin for that matter.

Ready to try a new spin on the old ham and cheese sandwich?

Here is what you need:

1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ginger
8 slices light sourdough bread
4 ounces 97% fat-free deli ham slices
2 pears, cored, peeled, and sliced
4 slices thin-sliced Swiss cheese
2 tablespoons light spreadable butter

Here is what you do:

In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger.

Spread 2 tablespoons of the pumpkin mixture on one slice of bread. Place 1 ounce of the ham on top of the pumpkin, and then a single layer of pears, and 1 slice of the cheese. Top with another slice of bread.

Spread butter on the top and bottom of the sandwich and grill on a skillet or grill pan for about 3-4 minutes on both sides, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is grilled.

Repeat with remaining ingredients, making 4 sandwiches total.

Makes 4 sandwiches.
One sandwich is 5 green, 5 blue, and 5 purple points.

Print Recipe

Ham pumpkin pear toasties

5 green, 5 blue, and 5 purple points per serving.

Makes: 4 servings

Calories: 255

Author: Alisha Hughes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 8 slices light sourdough bread
• 4 ounces 97% fat-free deli ham slices
• 2 pears, cored, peeled, and sliced
• 4 slices thin-sliced Swiss cheese
• 2 tablespoons light spreadable butter

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger.
• Spread 2 tablespoons of the pumpkin mixture on one slice of bread. Place 1 ounce of the ham on top of the pumpkin, and then a single layer of pears, and 1 slice of the cheese. Top with another slice of bread.
• Spread butter on the top and bottom of the sandwich and grill on a skillet or grill pan for about 3-4 minutes on both sides, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is grilled.
• Repeat with remaining ingredients, making 4 sandwiches.