When McDonald’s released its Pumpkin Spice Latte on August 31 this year, the internet was predictably horrified/ecstatic. Starbucks wasn’t supposed to start selling PSL until September 6, but they started taking orders the day after McDonald’s did. The horrified reaction was OH MY GOD IT’S STILL SUMMER PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES ARE FOR NORMIES! But take the latte out of the equation, and I think we can all agree that pumpkin is the perfect fall food. Trader Joe’s does pumpkin like crazy, and no one seems to be furious at them. They are currently peddling Pumpkin Pie Spice Cookie Butter, Pumpkin Soup Crackers, Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli, Pumpkin Spice Salted Caramels, and dozens of other pumpkin products. They even sell pumpkin-spiced pumpkin seeds. Well played, Trader Joe’s.
You’ve probably already noticed pumpkin on the menu at many local restaurants. If you’ve only experienced pumpkin in pie form, shame on you! Here are some savory and sweet pumpkin dishes that’ll keep you gorging on gourds all the way through Thanksgiving.