I can’t get enough of pumpkin, which is why fall is one of my favorite seasons. With Thanksgiving on the horizon, it’s right around November that restaurants really start to incorporate this fall favorite into dishes and I love seeing what they come up with. Pumpkin is such a versatile ingredient, just as good in savory dishes as sweet ones, and a variety of establishments and cuisines are finding new ways to use this amazing ingredient.
First, let’s check out the savory:
Pitfire Pizza makes gourmet pizzas at great
prices. Check out this seasonal pizza special: organic pumpkin, toasted pepitas, wild greens, fontina cheese, and pumpkin seed oil served on their famously crispy thin crust. The pepitas provide a great contrasting crunchy texture to the soft chunks of pumpkin. This is another light dish using pumpkin, which means you won’t be too full for dessert!
- Check the Web site for locations.
While this certainly isn’t a new dish, Mi Piace serves ravioli al burro e salvia (pumpkin ravioli in brown butter with sage and parmesan cheese). It’s a favorite and for good reason. The delicately buttered pasta, creamy pumpkin puree, and crispy sage are an amazing combination of flavors that shows the quality of their dishes.
- 25 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (map). (626) 795-3131.
For a more unique use of pumpkin try the ultra spicy Jungle Curry at Chadaka Thai. This spicy curry is made without coconut milk, so it’s nice and light. It also features green beans, baby corn, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and basil with your choice of chicken, pork or beef. Pour over rice and enjoy!
- 310 N. San Fernando Boulevard, Burbank (map). (818) 848-8520.
And now on to the sweet, because there’s nothing better than dessert anyway:
Take advantage of The Counter’s shake of the month and indulge in a super creamy pumpkin pie milkshake. Vanilla ice cream mixed with pumpkin pie filling, a mountain of whipped cream, and topped off with graham cracker crust crumbles! You’re definitely not gonna want to share this one.
- Check the Web site for locations.
Susina Bakery gives you pumpkin two ways: tarts and cheesecake! These are delicious treats any day, and are also a great addition to your Thanksgiving dessert spread, because with all these pumpkin options, you’re gonna need an entire spread to enjoy them all.
- 7122 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (323) 934-7900.
Sprinkles is well known for its cupcakes, so it’s no surprise that it does fall flavors right with a pumpkin spice cupcake and cinnamon cream cheese frosting. It has mastered creating a perfectly light and fluffy cupcake topped with the perfect amount of frosting. This one hits the spot.
- 9635 Little Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills (map). (310) 274-8764.
I hope you enjoy these pumpkin dishes from across LA — they’re some of my favorites!