Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Pumpkin!

Though Autumn has probably been upon most of the United States for the last month, it has only just arrived here in Sunny Florida. In most states you may know Fall has fallen when the air is crisp and the leaves are falling. In Tampa, we know it is Fall when the Pumpkin Spice Latte shows up at Starbucks :). It has been nice and cool this last week though, and I have been thoroughly enjoying stepping on crunchy acorns as I walk up to my front door. Why is it that the feeling of a dried acorn crunched under foot is so satisfying?

As an homage to what is possibly my favourite season of all (but mostly because it is the titillating time that leads up to Christmas, and the suspense is absolutely divine!) I am dedicating this entire post to PUMPKIN! As you know I am a huge fan of butternut squash in the roasted form, but I have never roasted a Pumpkin (I cheat and buy the canned stuff). This year I am entirely committed to roasting and eating a real live pumpkin. Here are some amazing recipes that I can’t wait to try! Click the images for recipes.

First up is Pumpkin Soup. This will no doubt be my first Pumpkin foray this year.

Here is a lovely traditional soup. I love the idea of serving the soup in Jack-b-littles. I feel warm and cozy just looking at the picture!

Of course I’ve had traditional pumpkin soup before, but when I saw this recipe for THAI pumpkin soup I was super excited and intrigued! What a clever idea to blend the smooth creamy texture of pumpkin with the exciting and spicy flavours of Thai cuisine. I definitely cannot wait to try this recipe.

Who doesn’t like a good fritter? Its fried, its crispy, and in this recipe its Pumpkin! Yum! These adorable little fritters would be a great appetizer for thanksgiving day.

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Speaking of thanksgiving day, here are some other great ideas for appetizers. These Pumpkin pillows are not only darling, they are light and sweet. With a crisp pastry outside and a caramel cream cheese pumpkin inside, they are sure to delight your guests.

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Apparently in the movie Harry Potter there is a food called Pumpkin Pasties. I’m not sure of the significance in the film but I’m sure that I LOVE pasties. Pasties are a staple in England and I grew to love them during my time in East Anglia. The Baker’s Oven made this amazing cheese and onion pasty that always made me feel warm inside. This version of the pasty is like a little pumpkin hand pie. Yum!

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I really shouldn’t write when I’m hungry because I want to stop right now and make this Pumpkin Gnocchi recipe! These pictures are just lovely, and the recipe looks delicious! Can you imagine this with a Brown Butter Sage Sauce? I’m in heaven.

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While we’re on the topic of pasta, check out this recipe for Pumpkin Ravioli. What is is about sage and pumpkin that just feels so right? This recipe is simple. Pumpkin, fresh herbs, cream… All together now… MMMmmmm.

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I feel really dumb for never thinking of this idea. Bake two bundt cakes and stack one upside down on top of the other to make a really cute pumpkin shaped cake! How adorable is this? Even better, make a spiced pumpkin cake with a maple glaze over the top.

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Or if you’re not the bundting type, here is a lovely recipe for Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting. Oooh these look so good.

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What goes better with Pumpkin Cupcakes than Pumpkin Spiced Latte? Who needs to spend $5 for Starbucks when you can make it at home? Here is a recipe for making that delicious fall drink right in your own kitchen. Here’s to saving money for Christmas presents!