October means pumpkin for every meal

Now that we are nearing the end of October and the most wonderful of American holidays, Halloween, let us take pause and examine our lifestyles, shall we? Are we taking time to enjoy the season's bounty? Are we celebrating nature's gifts through seasonally inspired meals? Hmmm, perhaps not. Fear not, though, our foodie friends, Austinist is here to help.

Please, consider pumpkins. Pumpkins serve all kinds of wonderful purposes. They are great for decorating, carving up, adding to a spooky display or a Thanksgiving centerpiece. Their seeds can be toasted for a tasty snack. And of course there is the whole pie thing. Have you tried the all natural Whole Foods version? We haven't found a better pumpkin pie yet.

Of course pumpkin isn't just for pies. You could have delectable pumpkin for every meal (we dare you). And because we know that you are busy people, we have done the work for you.

Behold, Austinist readers, pumpkin for every meal:

Start your Autumn day with PUMPKIN PANCAKES. Pumpkins & More offers a delicious sounding recipe that includes chopped pecans, if desired. Dig around the site a little and you'll find a myriad of pumpkin recipes from pumpkin pudding to pumpkin cheese risotto.

Next, for lunch, try the PUMPKIN BISQUE from The Red Clover Inn in Killington, Vermont. Mmmm.

Of course we couldn't forgo an epicurious.com search where we found a promising looking dish called SPICY GRILLED CHICKEN WITH CREAMY PUMPKIN MOLE SAUCE. Sounds right up a Texan's alley, if you ask us.

Here's an idea, why not have an Iron Chef kind of party where everyone has to bring a dish with the same designated ingredient. That ingredient? Pumpkin, of course.

We are so clever.

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