The Best Pumpkin Things
It's the most wonderful time of the year: the time when pumpkin things are on the shelves (even though it's still like 90 degrees outside). What's your favorite pumpkin-flavored food? Everyone knows about the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, for which fanatics line the blocks each fall, but have you ever tried Pumpkin Spice Oreos? How about Frosted Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts? Did you even know that Ben & Jerry's made a flavor of Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream??
Sadly, many products with pumpkin flavoring are seasonal or "limited edition" items, only available once the leaves turn orange (in some parts of North America - not Southern California, or else we would be waiting forever). Get your Pumpkin Spice Hershey's Kisses and Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins (not pumpkin-flavored, btw) when you see them, because they'll be gone before you know it. Others, like pumpkin K-Cups and Jell-O and cookie / bread / muffin / pancake mixes seem like they will always be available - at least on Amazon... But not the best pumpkin beers. Those barely make it to October.
How do you feel about pumpkin? Love it? Hate it? "Meh, it is OK" it? It's certainly not for everyone. Also, not everything on this list is pumpkin flavored, or even food. Some of it is just like candles, a Charlie Brown special, or even pumpkin seeds, which taste nothing like that ubiquitous pumpkin spice - no cinnamon, no nutmeg. No, properly prepared, pepitas taste like salt. Delicious crunchy salt. Vote up your favorite pumpkin foods and items, and add any that are missing.
