The leaves are still vibrantly green and T-shirts are still more than sufficient, but even in Florida, we crave fall flavor in the form of pumpkin.
The adaptability of pumpkin is unmatched. When seasoned with herbs, like rosemary or thyme, it can take on a savory identity, adding either a subtle note or becoming a commanding ingredient in a dish. When combined with cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves, pumpkin becomes a spiced seduction to any sweets lover.
In Gainesville, pumpkin love is widespread, and local restaurants have willingly answered the demand.
For breakfast, try a stack of fluffy pumpkin pancakes from The Flying Biscuit Cafe. Snack time means a quick trip to Mochi Frozen Yogurt for its limited fall flavor — pumpkin spice. Try topping a heaping cup with graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips or cheesecake bites.
For dinner, Bonefish Grill offers a wood-grilled Atlantic Swordfish special,served over pumpkin ravioli and topped with feta, crispy sage and shallot brown butter. Also, try to catch the Civilization Pumpkin Lasagna dinner special made with a creamy ricotta and pumpkin puree mixture between delicate house- made pasta sheets.
Dessert leaves two options — baked or frozen. For a unique baked dessert, try Karma Cream’s Pumpkin Spice D’ohNuts with cinnamon glaze, which are completely vegan and named in honor of Homer Simpson. For a frozen fall-flavored finish, Sweet Dreams of Gainesville is churning out its nostalgic homemade pumpkin pie ice cream.
If you’re not pumpkin-ed out at this point, head to Swamp Head Brewery, where they serve a limited release of pumpkin beer starting Oct. 31. The beer will be tapped out of an actual pumpkin!
There is infinitely more to pumpkin than a spiced latte from Starbucks. Gainesville chefs are creatively using the beloved bright orange vegetable in countless delicious and intriguing ways.
The only way to truly applaud their autumn spirit is to try these pumpkin dishes for yourself. Pumpkin’s only major flaw is that it lasts a limited time, so get it while you can.
