Hi Reader,

I’ll admit it: For years, I thought pumpkin’s sole purpose was pie. And not even a pie I liked all that much. (Yes, I said it. Send unto me thy angry and indignant electronic correspondence.)

Then I met You Know Who. The man is mad about pumpkin. I mean totally loony (which I can say, given my numerous and varied mental health diagnoses over the decades).

It started innocently enough. He wanted a pumpkin pie. Sure, I said.

Back then, I was still cooking from the back of boxes and cans, so I made him the pumpkin pie from the back of the Libby's can. That lasted a few autumns until he threw it and me over for Costco's pie—for $5.99. That giant, tasteless Frisbee with the underbaked, vegetable shortening-laden crust.

When you've been together as long as we have, you tend to forgive. A whole heck of a lot.

Then, while my ego was still nursing a G and T, he wanted more. Cakes, MORE pies, soups, bisques, pastas. It never ended. I didn't mind; in fact, I was touched.

For example, he's insisted I make my Pumpkin Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting for 32 Thanksgivings—even when we weren't hosting.

When we had a pumpkin pie ice cream from the wonderful Ferris Acres Creamery in Newtown, CT, he asked me to recreate it. So I made a Pumpkin MERINGUE Pie Ice Cream. (I had to best the creamery. Yes, I am that petty and competitive.)

In time, though, thanks to The One, I've seen firsthand how the most unremarkable gourd is pretty damn remarkable. Now, if I could find a way to wedge a crowbar between him and his beloved Costco monstrosity, I'll be a happy man this pumpkin season.

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Pumpkin: Beyond the Pie

1. Soup It Up: Purée pumpkin with stock, cream, and warm spices. Top with seeds or a swirl of chile oil for drama.
2. Bake Boldly: Pumpkin bread, muffins, and cakes stay moist and rich—perfect for cozy mornings.
3. Savory Spin: Add pumpkin cubes to curries, stews, or pasta. Its sweetness balances spices beautifully.
4. Cheesecake Upgrade: A pumpkin swirl turns a humble cheesecake into a showstopper.
5. Snack Attack: Roast the seeds with olive oil and smoked paprika. Crunchy proof that nothing goes to waste.

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WHAT'S INSIDE...

• ​Turkish Pumpkin With Walnuts | Kabak Tatlisi​
• ​Pumpkin Cake With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting​
• ​Spiced Pumpkin Seeds​
• ​Glazed Pumpkin Pound Cake​
• ​Pumpkin Meringue Pie​
• ​Pumpkin Pasta Dough​
• ​Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice​
• ​Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese​
• ​Pumpkin-Cider Soup​
• ​Pumpkin Meringue Pie Ice Cream​

​Turkish Pumpkin With Walnuts | Kabak Tatlisi​

For this Turkish pumpkin dessert, pumpkin (or any winter squash) chunks are slow roasted in a sugar syrup and then sprinkled with toasted buttered walnuts.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Pumpkin Cake With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.92 from 37 votes

This pumpkin cake with maple cream cheese frosting is spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. All the essential pumpkin spice flavors tempered with the creamy coolness of cream cheese frosting. One of my most popular cakes.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Spiced Pumpkin Seeds​

Spiced pumpkin seeds are a spicy snack made with pepitas and chili powder and not a lot of effort. Simple and satisfying and curiously addictive.

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​Glazed Pumpkin Pound Cake​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.86 from 21 votes

This glazed pumpkin pound cake has a moist, dense crumb that's not too sweet and aromatic with autumnal spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. The glaze makes an already amazing cake even more over the top.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Pumpkin Meringue Pie​

Pumpkin meringue pie. At long last, a slice of pumpkin pie can be considered stunningly sophisticated as well as complete in and of itself—no dollop of whipped cream required.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Pumpkin Pasta Dough​

This pumpkin pasta dough from Domenica Marchetti is remarkably stunning to behold—and, just as remarkably, really quite easy to make. We're talking 20 minutes of barely any effort. Impressive? Heck yeah. And wait'll you taste it.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice​

Pumpkin pie spice is easy to make at home. Just pour the spices you already have in your pantry in a bowl and stir. An easy and inexpensive substitute for store-bought blends.

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​Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese​

This pumpkin macaroni and cheese is easy and creamy and rich. What else would you expect from a skillet full of pasta, Cheddar, pumpkin, bacon, and sage? Comfort food at its most indulgent with a smidgen of conscience-appeasing healthfulness.

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​Pumpkin-Cider Soup​

While apples might be best known as ingredients in crisps, crumbles, cakes, and tarts, they're a delicious way to sweeten up vegetable soups made with seasonal vegetables like butternut squash, pumpkins, and parsnips. Try this soup made with squash and apples and spiced with sage and thyme.

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​Pumpkin Meringue Pie Ice Cream​

Pumpkin meringue pie ice cream is the ultimate mashup of pumpkin ice cream−spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and mace−creamy-dreamy meringue, and crunchy bits of Oreo-cookie crust. Think frozen pumpkin-spice latte.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​