When the first day of fall hits, do you immediately start dreaming of pumpkin spiced lattes and freshly baked pumpkin pie? If yes, you’re in for a treat (no tricks). It turns out, there are pumpkin-lovers like you all around the world. We’ve compiled some of the best recipes that put your favorite fall fruit (you read that correctly) to good use. Give these recipes a try and let us know in the comments how they turn out!
1. Pumpkin Fritters — South Africa
Everything tastes better when it’s fried, right? The answer is yes. These delightful pastries, called pampoen koekies in Afrikaans, are a sweet way to start your day or end a meal. Get the recipe here.
2. Pumpkin Coconut Curry — Thailand
There aren’t many things as tasty as a good Thai curry, and this particular recipe mixes the pumpkin and coconut flavors into an incredible final product.
3. Brown Butter Pumpkin Spaetzle — Germany
Spaetzle, a soft egg noodle dish, is a staple of German cooking, but this recipe takes the ordinary food to an extraordinary place. It makes the perfect side dish to any fall meal.
4. Cream of Pumpkin Soup — Dominican Republic
The name for this dish in Latin American Spanish is crema de auyama, and it sure is creamy! While the ingredients in this recipe are fairly simple, the pumpkin taste and creamy texture make this a hearty dish.
5. Japanese Pumpkin Salad — Japan
A Japanese Pumpkin, or kabocha, is not quite the same as the standard pumpkin we know and love in the States, but it’s still a variety of squash that adds a nice flavor to this simple salad. Note for vegetarians: this recipe has bacon in it, but it can be replaced with raisins.
6. Pumpkin Empanadas — Mexico
Empanadas are one of the best foods on earth. They’re essentially dough that’s stuffed with other ingredients and then fried — what’s not to love? The only way to make them better would be to add pumpkin, which is what this recipe does.
7. Pumpkin Cheesecake — France
As society dictates, we’ve saved dessert for last. But feel free to try this recipe first, if you’re feeling rebellious. This cake has a mousse-like consistency and is pleasing in both aesthetics and taste.