As I’ve been alluding to the last few days, we are officially kicking off our first Pumpkin Madness Week. I have gone on the record with the fact that I am obsessed with any and everything pumpkin. Besides the taste, what I love about pumpkin is how versatile it is. It can be the star of so many different (and healthy!) breakfast treats (oatmeal, muffins, smoothies, etc.). Yet it can also masquerade at dinner in the form of soup, risotto, you name it. While the rest of my family does not share the same infatuation that I do, they do enjoy pumpkin. So here we go …
As you’ll see, most of these pumpkin yummies are for me, but I am including my family in a few of them (including New Food Monday tomorrow night). So today I kicked off the festivities with a batch of pumpkin muffins, courtesy of Skinnytaste. I haven’t actually had a muffin yet, but I may have licked the batter off the spoon, and it was delicious. I’m planning on packing one in Mimi’s lunch tomorrow so that will be the true test: the girl is a baked goods connoisseur.
So you may be wondering why I picked this week for Pumpkin Madness? Actually, there are a couple of reasons. The first week of October – the most stereotypical “fall” month, in my opinion – seemed rather appropriate. But mostly, it has to do with a holiday that many of you may not be familiar with: Canadian Thanksgiving.
Huh? The Canadians have their own separate Thanksgiving? They sure do, although it has nothing to do with Indians and Pilgrims. In Canada, it’s a national holiday to give thanks at the end of the harvest season, and it is always celebrated on the second Monday of October (which, ironically, is Columbus Day for us in the states).
So how does this relate to us? Let me explain. Dr. G. is Canadian (well, half Canadian). He was born in Canada, his mom was born and raised in Canada, and all of his maternal aunts, cousins, etc. still live there. So to honor his Canadian heritage, Dr. G. has thrown Canadian Thanksgiving dinner parties for the last 17+ years, starting in his junior year of college. It’s been kind of fun to see how this tradition has morphed in the 12 years that we’ve been together. There were the super low-key, paper plate buffets when we were young, single and living in Boston and our group would easily knock back a half dozen bottles of wine. Then there were the more formal, sit-down dinners (with more ambitious, “grown up” dishes) once we were married and living in Baltimore. Now that we’re back in Massachusetts, it’s almost like we’ve gone full circle: we’re looking at a paper plate buffet again since there will be about a dozen children ranging in age from newborn-7 years, now that most of our friends are married with two kids each. (Please don’t ask me how we’re going to fit everyone.)
But over the years, what hasn’t changed is that everyone contributes a dish, whether it’s veggies, rolls, stuffing, potatoes or dessert (Dr. G. insists on making the turkey, which means that – as a squeamish vegetarian – I avoid the kitchen at all costs for a few hours that morning). And there is always pie. Pumpkin pie.
So I guess it was a no-brainer: a delicious, I-need-to-wear-elastic-waist-sweatpants kind of dinner that comes complete with pumpkin pie was clearly the perfect way to end our inaugural Pumpkin Madness week. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I will!
Question: What is your favorite pumpkin dish? (I make a pumpkin cheesecake at Thanksgiving in November that is to die for.)
Clair says
Gah. What IS it about pumpkin that makes it so good?!
I love everything pumpkin, but I think I’m really just a sucker for a good ol’ fashioned pie. Oh, and I love this pumpkin dish we get at the Afghani restaurant by us…omg, so good.
Jessica says
I know, its totally addicting! Glad to know I am not alone. I’ll think of you this weekend when we break out the pumpkin pie 🙂
Oooh, you are lucky to have a nearby Afghani restaurant. We used to go to the most amazing one when we lived in Baltimore (Helmand, if you are ever there). Incredible.
lisabdeck says
Jess~ just want to tell you that I am loving your blog! Such fun to read and I so relate to so many of your posts 🙂 Keep Em coming! (nd let’s connect soon!)
Jessica says
Oh yay, so happy to hear that you’re enjoying it 🙂 It means a lot! I will email you about getting together.
Carey says
Hmmmm Pumpkin EVERYTHING!! Sounds good to me chick. This Scot can’t wait for Canadian Thanksgiving at urs this weekend.
Veronica Lee says
That cupcake looks so delish!
Hi Stopping from MBC Great blog!
Have a nice day!
Kim says
Yay Skinnytaste! It’s one of my favorite websites for recipes.