Celebrate National Pumpkin Day with pumpkin eats around the Valley
Oct 26, 2015, 9:41 AM
Monday is National Pumpkin Day, kicking off Halloween week with a salute to the holiday’s signature item.
The seasonal gourd has turned into a controversial topic over the past few years — well, as controversial as a squash can be. Some worship pumpkin anything and consider it one of the best parts of the season. Others, we’ll call them October Scrooges, get up in arms about having to deal with nutmeg, cinnamon and other holiday spices invading their daily lives until egg nog takes over (we won’t even go there) in December.
If you’re part of the latter group, stop reading now. If you’re part of the former group, or simply indifferent but enjoy an occasional PSL, we’ve gathered a list of ways to celebrate National Pumpkin Day in the Valley of the Sun.
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PANCAKES | Eggstasy | 6990 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale
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Start off the day right with these pancakes. This menu comes in at just under $10 and who knows how many calories, but you can splurge — it’s a holiday.
PUMPKIN CUPCAKES | Urban Cookies | 4711 N. Seventh St., Phoenix
(UrbanCookies)
This uptown bakery offers delectable dessert for any occasion, including these cupcakes as part of their Halloween lineup. It features pumpkin cake and naturally orange cream cheese for $3.
HUMMUS AND PUMPKIN SEED DIP | Ingo’s Tasty Food | 4502 N. 40th St., Phoenix
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It’s not just about the gourd itself. Its seeds are dish all on their own. Check out Ingo’s hummus and pumpkin seed dip that customers and Yelp reviewers rave about.
PUMPKIN CURRY | Sala Thai | 10880 N 32nd St., Suite 29, Phoenix
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This entry is for those who like their gourds with an Asian flair. Sala Thai’s pumpkin curry combines sliced pumpkin with peppers, basil, carrots, coconut milk, your choice of protein and a red chili paste for a spicy and delicious $10 meal.
RED CABBAGE AND PUMPKIN RISOTTO |Sprouts Farmers Market | Locations Valleywide
(Sprouts Farmers Market)
You can always cook the gourds yourself too. Sprouts recently posted this Halloween-y recipe for red cabbage and pumpkin risotto on their website. They say it should take about an hour to make.
PUMPKIN PORTER | Four Peaks Brewing Company | Locations in Scottsdale and Tempe
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For those 21 and up, there’s a local brew to satisfy your fall-flavored beverage needs. Valley residents go nuts for this drink that has its own midnight premiere. The brewery just released the Double Pumpkin-Imperial Pumpkin last week — think Pumpkin Porter’s stronger, older brother with twice the alcohol content.
PUMPKIN PIE | My Mother’s Restaurant | 4130 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix
(Yelp Photo)
For the purists, there’s the tried and true pumpkin pie. My Mother’s Restaurant has been in the Valley for over 30 years and their pies have been keeping customers happy just as long.
