It’s October and that means the enticing scent of pumpkin is heavy in the air. Chefs all across the Bay Area are using fall’s favorite ingredient in delicious-sounding dishes. Here, we round up the season’s not-to-be-missed pumpkin items.
At El Paseo in Marin, chef Todd Shoberg serves pumpkin bolognese. Shoberg uses a combination of ground pork, veal, and pancetta to which he adds a hearty mirepoix of onions, celery, and carrots, and fall-spiced sugar-pie pumpkin. Finished with tomato and a touch of nutmeg cream, the bolognese sauce is tossed with orecchiette before being topped with nutty and salty Toma cheese (from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company). Pair with a nice glass of red and you’ve got one scrumptious meal!
At Gotts’ four locations (St. Helena, Napa, Palo Alto, and the Ferry Building in SF), you’ll find a rich and filling housemade butternut squash soup. It’s topped with crunchy and addictive toasted pumpkin seeds and sour cream.
Lucia Ravioli Co. has been serving the Italian deli needs of the Mission since 1925. They make a slew of sensational items, from pizza dough to fresh Italian sausages, but as their name suggests, Lucca’s ravioli is the thing. Home cooks should stop by and pick up a batch of their artisanal pumpkin ravioli.
At the Restuarant at Wente Vineyards, bar manager Caitlin Mackey has incorporated pumpkin into a cocktail. She uses pureed pumpkin to flavor The Great Pumpkin (the libation’s name is inspired by Charlie Brown), a cocktail that has bourbon, lemon juice, and apple cider. Cheers!
Humphry Slocombe ice cream has a special pumpkin flavor that is available during the month of October at their scoop shops. It’s creamy pumpkin ice cream with chunks of housemade hazelnut biscotti. Order a cone or pick up a pint to enjoy later at home.
Photo Credit: Chloe Jackman Photography
Ok, pumpkin pie is more classic than creative, but we couldn’t list the best pumpkin dishes without sharing our favorite place for the quintessential pumpkin pie! You’ll find it at Presidio Social Club. At the restaurant they serve pastry chef Rene Cruz’s famous pumpkin pie in tartlet form with a healthy dollop of whipped cream. Beginning on October 17, entire pies are also available to go. Be sure to preorder the pie in advance for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
