a pumpkin compendium
October 9th, 2008 @ 11:25 pm | life | Post a CommentCompendium. I had to look up the word to make sure it really was a word, and that I was using it correctly. I was. It’s kind of a fun word to say. It goes well with pumpkin, which I’m pretty sure we all love to eat, in some form or another. Right? I mean unless you are my husband and you hate pumpkin. In that case, this post is probably not for you.
*Photo borrowed from Eddie Ross, a new design/décor blog I found and love a lot already.
My goal here, in the spirit of autumn and gourds and the changing of the seasons, is to collect all of our favorite pumpkin-y things. Then we can bookmark it and come back every fall. I’ll share mine, then you add yours in the comments, mmmkay?
First, and most obvious, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (of Joy). It was in the high-70s here today, but I still enjoyed the free sample they were giving out at my local crackhouse Starbucks this morning.
I can vouch for Angry Chicken’s fabulous and healthy low-fat pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips. I’ve made them more than once and they have tons of flavor and almost no guilt.
One of my favorite food bloggers recently posted a recipe for pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon butter. All I can say to that is: Who wants to come over for breakfast this weekend?!?! I know what I’m cooking!
When we moved to DC, we discovered Afghan food, in particular this one pumpkin-yogurt-meat sauce-rice dish called kadu buranee. It’s honestly better than the latte, muffins, and pancakes all rolled up into one. It’s pumpkin in a savory, buttery form. And it’s OH SO GOOD. Wherever you live, please look for an Afghan restaurant and when you find one: GO EAT THERE. My favorite places in DC are Afghan Grill in Woodley Park, Afghan Restaurant in Alexandria, and one day I hope to try out Bamian in Arlington.
I haven’t yet made the Pioneer Woman’s pepitos (pumpkin seeds) but who out there reading this does not trust that everything she cooks takes like heaven? So yeah, I bet they’re good.
I could go on and on here (pumpkins for Obama anyone?) but what I want to know is what are your favorite pumpkin things and how fast can I get my hands on them?
I don’t like pumpkin personally, but Dairy Queen is featuring pumpkin pie blizzards as their dessert of the month…
written by Courtney
October 10th, 2008 @ 1:18 am
That sounds really good…esp those muffins!
written by Marketinggurl
October 10th, 2008 @ 7:20 am
i look forward to autumn and Dunkin Donuts pumpkin muffins… all crumbly on top, yumm and they pair PERFECTLY with their cinnamon coffee.
another favorite of mine is the Cream of Pumpkin (balsamic reduction w/ truffle oil) from a local restaurant, Pomegranate
i feel like i need to eat breakfast again.
written by notsojenny
October 10th, 2008 @ 9:01 am
I’m not a fan of pumpkin at all. It’s always made my stomach turn a little. Perhaps it’s the memory of planting/weeding/picking/selling hundreds of pumpkins when I was growing up?
written by Erica
October 10th, 2008 @ 9:51 am
When I lived in Tanzania a friend of mine used to make roasted pumpkin which she would serve with pumpkin leaves in coconut milk. OMG it’s good!
The roasted pumpkin is really easy. Just taking a cooking pumpkin (must be a cooking pumpkin), clean out the guts. Cut it into long smiley face stips (like watermelon/cantaloupe is served, only thinner), add oil, some garlic powder, salt and pepper and roast. [400, until the edges start to darken].
Pumpkin leaves are actually very difficult to find. Generally you can find them at African or Caribbean groceries. That should actually be pretty easy to find in DC. The recipe is here: http://196.41.49.109/dar/Mapishi/2006/03/23/17224.html, but it is in Swahili. The (general) translation is this:
Ingredients:
Pumpkin Leaves -10-20
Tomatoes-3-large
Onion -1
Green Pepper -1
Spicy Pepper (optional) -1
Carrot -1
**You are supposed to use fresh coconut milk, but it is difficult here. I use one can of coconut milk or light coco milk
oil (olive oil works well)
salt
Wash the pumpkin greens well, then cut into long strips.
In a pot, boil the coco milk (since we didn’t use fresh milk, I add one and a half cups of water to the canned stuff). Cut all of your veggies into small pieces and add to the boiling milk, turn down heat to medium. (At this point some people put ground peanuts in it, but it is too rich for me with the coco milk AND ground peanuts, so I leave them out). When the veggies start softening a little, add the pumpkin leaves. Stir regularly, until the greens are soft like collard greens. Serve with rice and some sort of meat. (There is a picture of the finished greens in the bottom right hand corner of the website)
written by bre
October 10th, 2008 @ 9:55 am
Hooray for pumpkin! Aside from the husband’s roasted pumpkin seeds, y go-to pumpkin recipes are fordip, cookies with butterscotch chips, cheesecake with a gingersnap crust, and spice cake with cream cheese frosting (this recipe, I think…). This year, I’m going to try out black-bean-pumpkin soup and pumpkin mousse parfaits.
Ooh, and look at this pumpkin index!
written by RA
October 10th, 2008 @ 9:57 am
I don’t have any pumpkin-y thingys to add, but just wanted to say hells-yeah to the pumpkin spice latte and also, a big thank you for the Obama pumpkins. I’m definitely going to try one of those stencil patterns!
written by Liz
October 10th, 2008 @ 10:01 am
HHAHAA and a big YES to the yeswecarve website. Can’t wait to do that.
written by Holly
October 10th, 2008 @ 11:20 am
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/SOUTHWESTERN-PUMPKIN-SOUP -104064
I think I may make this (sans heavy whipping cream).
written by Alexa
October 10th, 2008 @ 11:50 am
I heart pumpkins. I pureed a pumpkin a few weeks ago and have since made pies, pumpkin butter, pumpkin muffins (will have to inlude chocolate chips next time), and pumpkin pancakes. Most of the recipes I got off google search except the pumpkin pie was made with my roomie’s recipe. Oh, and I roasted pumpkin seeds and for the first time ever, did not burn them. They were delicious!
Next on my list is a pumpkin gob… or whoopie pie. Probably using this recipe… http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com/2008/09/28/i-was-doing-so- good/
written by K
October 10th, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Oh, and since you live in DC.. You should head over to Good Stuff Eatery and try one of their pumpkin patch milkshakes. Oh, and they have an “Obama” and “McCain” burger right now.
http://www.goodstuffeatery.com
written by K
October 10th, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Ooh, I love pumpkin! Some of my favorite pumpkin items are:
*Pumpkin spiced chai from Hunter’s Landing, which is a coffee shop.
*Pumpkin Pie smoothie from California Fresh, a sandwich shop, where they mix it with caramel and then top it with whipped cream and caramel drizzle. Oh.my.word. A bit of me dies with every one I have.
*Pumpkin Black Bean soup from Rachel Ray. I’m going to be making this any time now. I like it add in a bit of shredded cheese at the end so it gets all melty and gooey.
*Incredible Pumpkin Peel by MyChelle. Oh my word, I love this stuff. It smells soooo delicious. You have to try it.
written by Chiada
October 10th, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
I usually make a pumpkin roll every Thanksgiving and it’s always a hit. I think I might do a “Pioneer Woman Cooks” recipe blog about it. I’ll let you know.
written by Rachie
October 10th, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
oh man all of that sounds amazing. too bad the fallish weather/pumpkin themed food hasn’t totally hit socal yet. soon enough though. and i really want to try those chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, yummmm.
written by katelin
October 10th, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
I had the cream cheese pumpkin muffin from Starbucks the other day and it was sooooooo good. I wanted many more, but stopped myself. The next day I still wanted pumpkin and saw this recipe:
http://kappaprep.blogspot.com/2008/10/treats-to-eat.html
I haven’t made it yet, but plan to soon!
I also was craving pumpkin cheesecake, so I bought ingredients and made my one. Here is my super easy recipe:
http://jac0610.blogspot.com/2008/10/easiest-pumpkin-cheesecakeever.htm l
MmMmMm pumpkin
written by Jackie
October 11th, 2008 @ 8:44 am
I’m so glad RA posted her dip recipe again!! I made that a dozen times last winter (with gingersnaps…yum!) and it was always a BIG hit. I can’t wait to start my pumpkiny goodness again!!
xox
written by heidikins
October 11th, 2008 @ 10:47 am
i live for pumpkin bagels. pure deliciousness! and of course, pumpkin ice cream. sarah loves pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie. i guess our house will be a big pumpkin explosion for all meals this month.
written by meg ann
October 11th, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
I just discovered your blog and was looking through the archives at your home photos - can you PLEASE email me the paint color you used on your stairwell? I’ve been looking for ‘greige’ for my living room and that color looks perfect!
Thanks,
Brooke
written by Brooke
October 13th, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
LOVE the Afghan Grill…
The last time I was in DC my friends and I ate there on your recommendation.
Now they eat there all the time.. and once I move to DC I hope to eat there too!
written by julie
October 13th, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
OMG, I love pumpkin, too. I got back from my trip late Sunday night and on Monday after visiting Trader Joe’s, I came home and baked pumpkin muffins from their mix. Next time I need to whip together some icing for those, too - yummers. Unfortunately we did not get one single pumpkin out of our garden this year (it was our first try) due to evil squirrels (and us being gone for the last three weeks), but I do want to cook with fresh pumpkin this fall. It’s not only delicious but very, very healthy! (Except for when you drench it in butter, I guess. But whatever.)
written by Liberal Banana
October 14th, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
My colleagues all went to the Afghan restaurant in ALexandria on Friday, but I had a meeting and had to miss out. Dang. I’ll definitely have to get there next time.
written by Britni
October 14th, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
MMMmmm, as a lover of all things pumpkin I am always excited for this time of year. I’ve already made pumpkin gingerbread and RA’s pumpkin dip. I know pumpkin pancakes will be served at my house this weekend.
written by Celia
October 15th, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
You’ve gotta check out this website…www.bakedperfection.com. Every recipe that I’ve tried from here has been AAAMAZING! Regarding your pumpkin post, you should definitely try out the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. I haven’t made them yet myself, but my friends have given them rave reviews. And they’re low-cal…PSYCH!!!
written by Becky
October 16th, 2008 @ 8:38 am
I miss your posts
But I hope you are keeping busy with wonderful stuff.
written by T
October 20th, 2008 @ 8:36 pm
I love the pumpkin spice late’s at Starbucks although I haven’t had one in ages…I also love pumpkin spice muffins…yummm…
written by Princess Extraordiaire
October 21st, 2008 @ 5:52 am
Janet,
I had no idea you and your fans were such foodies. I asked Kyle about your Pumpkin Biryani. During his year-plus in Afghanistan, he said all the Afghans ate was goat and rice. Pumpkins must be for the rich Afghan, or those that live below 6,000 feet. Anyway, love reading your blog.
written by Christine Marcum
October 21st, 2008 @ 5:57 pm