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From pinning recipes onto your cozy seasonal Pinterest board, to picking up a pumpkin spice latte on the way to work, pumpkins are shown some serious lovin’ this time of year. The leaves change to auburn and crimson, cable knit sweaters and beanies come out of the woodwork and chic leather boots hit the cobblestone. Seriously, what is more perfect than fall in the northeast?
Autumn also calls for indulging in pumpkin everything…most especially on the holiday that celebrates this incredibly delicious fruit. Sunday, October 26 marks a special date on every fall-lover’s calendar: National Pumpkin Day. Whether you are preparing to snuggle up on a park bench with a divine pumpkin cream cheese brownie, or make a pitcher of pumpkin cinnamon sangria for the evening, savor your pumpkin the right way!
I have put together a savory roundup of pumpkin delights to honor this beloved fruit (and yes, pumpkin is a fruit and not a vegetable). Enjoy and indulge in your sinfully sweet desires. It’s National Pumpkin Day for Pete’s sake! Local Boston-area restaurants are keyed in on the pumpkin hype, so join in on the scrumptious scoop…
**Bar Boulud, Boston at Mandarin Oriental Boston
(776 Boylston St, Boston, MA)
Bar Boulud’s House-made Pumpkin Cavatelli is available in the form of an appetizer ($17) or entrée ($27). This innovative dish places a tasty spotlight on Tuscan kale, chestnut, brown butter and pecorino Romano. Additionally, Bar Boulud’s House-made Pumpkin Ice Cream ($6) is a must-try, complemented with sinful Ginger & Brown Sugar Sable.
Both dishes available 10/20.
(75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA)
Besito puts a delicious spin on a traditional favorite. Their Pumpkin Flan ($7) is garnished with candied pumpkin seeds and whipped cream.
(191 Oxford St, Lynn, MA)
Pumpkin paves its way into desserts, refreshing appetizers and eloquent dinner dishes. The Blue Ox highlights a top-notch dining dish: Pan Roasted Cod ($25). This entrée is comprised of cinnamon brown butter, pumpkin and leek risotto, in addition to a rejuvenating apple and arugula salad.
(70 Union Square, Boston, MA)
Sip Brass Union’s Sideshow ($10) for a lavish, seasonal treat. This cocktail is prepared with pumpkin-infused apple brandy, lemon juice, triple sec and rimmed with cinnamon, brown sugar and pumpkin seeds. The Sideshow is available from 10/27 through 10/31, so you can take your celebratory pumpkin festivities through the weekend!
(#102 – 698 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA)
For those who like to stick to tradition, Earls Kitchen + Bar has your palate covered with an all-time classic: Pumpkin Pie ($8), complete with graham crust and fresh whipped cream.
**Pantry at The VERVE Crowne Plaza Natick
(1360 Worcester St, Natick, MA)
Pantry at The VERVE will certainly captivate all guests with their Smashing Pumpkin Flatbread ($11). On wood-fired dough, this scrumptious pumpkin dish is one for the books, topped with roasted pumpkin, fresh mozzarella, pine nuts, crumbled goat cheese and confit garlic.
**Prezza
(24 Fleet St, Boston, MA)
Prezza has you prepared to relish pumpkin all the way through dessert! Savor the venue’s Pumpkin Ravioli($18/$36) for dinner, which highlights lobster, mascarpone, sage and brown sugar. End your meal on a sweet note with Pumpkin Tiramisu ($12).
(319 Speen St, Natick, MA)
To satisfy your pumpkin cravings, SKYBOKX 109 is offering a delightful Pumpkin Pie Martini ($10), prepared with Pumpkin Spice Liqueur, Stoli Vanilla, Butterscotch Schnapps, milk and a cinnamon-sugar rim.
**The Varano Group – Strega Prime
(100 Sylvan Road, Woburn, MA)
Start your meal off with the venue’s delectable Seven Herb Ricotta Tortellini appetizer ($14), which highlights pumpkin sauce, micro arugula and pumpkin seed oil. As far as dessert is concerned, Strega’s Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding ($9) is simply heavenly, served with luscious vanilla gelato. What better way to honor your pumpkin than with this divine number? This dessert is also offered at Strega Waterfront (1 Marina Park Dr, Boston, MA).
(138 Cambridge St, Boston)
Accompany your meal with Tip Tap’s Coffeehouse Pumpkin ($12), prepared with Sons of Liberty pumpkin whiskey, homemade BBC coffeehouse syrup, caramelized orange and walnut bitters. Warning: you will find yourself craving more, and more, rounds. For dessert, the venue’s Uchiki Kuri Squash “Brulee” ($8) spotlights sweet roasted squash custard, aerated milk chocolate mousse, crystallized maple and yogurt sorbet. Double warning: cravings most certainly apply to this dish as well.
Lexx in the City 