Recipe for Pumpkin Cookies

In an effort to avoid typing this repeatedly for the future. I'm putting this recipe in my blog, which can easily be referenced to by link.

Ingredients:
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin (fresh)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Prep part 1:
I typically make this as a double batch as I tend to have plenty of pumpkin to use. For the pumpkin, you'll want fresh. Originally I used chunks of Halloween pumpkin in a food processor. However, jack-o-lanterns are rarely suitable for consumption after they've been sitting out for a while. I've also moved on to an easier method of preparation... 1 smaller "pie pumpkin" gives about 2 cups. To prepare, cut it in half, scoop out the innards, place open side down on a cookie sheet and bake around 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. If you can scoop out the pumpkin, it's ready. If not, bake another 5 minutes. When it's ready, scoop into a bowl, mash, and measure for the recipe. If you use canned pumpkin, I'll not be held responsible for the quality of your cookies.

Prep part 2:
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Melt the shortening for easier measuring and mixing (glass in the microwave works well). Add and stir all the ingredients into a big bowl. It's best to start from the top of the list and work your way down adding 1 or 2 things, but basically, if you blend it perfectly, who cares what order you use. For nuts, walnuts work well or you can omit the nuts all together if you don't like them. Grease a cookie sheet. (If you used your cookie sheet for pumpkin preparation, clean it first.) Drop spoonfuls a couple inches apart. Sprinkle on cinnamon/sugar, if desired. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. They will be soft. Test with a toothpick to confirm that they are done (poke into a cookie & when it comes out easily/clean it's ready). Cool on a wire rack, eat, and store in a covered container to keep moist and fresh.