(Pumpkin) Spice Up Your Thanksgiving

Yes, it is that season: Coffee shops are offering pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin breads and muffins grace bakery shops, and pumpkins in all of their varied colors, shapes and sizes are everywhere. A quick internet search will offer a treasury of recipes, décor, quotes and even merchandise – all reflecting our culture’s fascination with everything pumpkin spice. But what is it really? Is there pumpkin in it? What is it made of? How can it be used?

Here are some basic answers: Pumpkin spice is a spice mixture usually containing cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, sometimes allspice as well. The ratios differ by brand, creating a flavor that is slightly varied by manufacturer. The spice mix has no pumpkin in it – it is traditionally used to flavor pumpkin dishes, specifically fall pumpkin desserts. Pinterest is bursting with gorgeous recipes for pumpkin spice cakes, bars, muffins, scones and more. Below are a few to choose from.

However, don’t let that limit you; pumpkin spice is much more versatile than that! Use it to season roasted butternut squash with a little olive oil and add that to tossed greens with cranberries and pecans for a beautifully colored seasonal salad. Mix it with maple syrup, olive oil, garlic and a touch of cayenne for a flavorful rub on your Thanksgiving turkey. Plenty of savory applications yield sumptuous results with pumpkin spice!

However you choose to use your pumpkin spice, may it warm you from the inside out and help you in creating delicious food as well beautiful memories!

Happy Thanksgiving!

DIY Pumpkin Spice Mix

Recipe By Zehorit Heilicher

Ingredients:

1.5-tablespoon ground cinnamon

1-teaspoon ground ginger

1-teaspoon ground nutmeg, (preferably fresh)

½ teaspoon ground cloves

1-teaspoon ground allspice

Directions:

Whisk all ingredients together n a small bowl and then store in a mason jar in a cool & dark place.