It’s finally starting to feel like fall — at least in the mornings. The sky is bright. The air is clear and crisp. Leaves are starting to change colors. And, of course, everything is pumpkin flavored once again.
If you love pumpkin as much as I do, you are probably already aware of the wide array of pumpkin flavored foods Trader Joe’s sells during this time of year. From pumpkin tortilla chips to pumpkin cheesecake, Trader Joe’s literally has anything and everything you could ever want to consume in a pumpkin flavor. While I have yet to try anything pumpkin from Trader Joe’s that I absolutely did not like, it can honestly be a bit overwhelming to decide which items to buy. Here I’ve compiled a short list of some of my favorite pumpkin foods from Trader Joe’s and what makes them so great.
Breakfast:
Frozen Pumpkin Waffles. These are so convenient for a quick breakfast before class or for a lazy weekend brunch. They have just a slight pumpkin flavor, nothing overwhelming or spicy. I would recommend toasting them instead of microwaving so you get a slight crispiness. Also, you have to try the waffles with nutella. I learned this from my housemate last year, and the spread seriously takes breakfast to another level of good.
Pumpkin Bagels with Pumpkin Cream Cheese. Yes — another bread-based breakfast food. There’s just something about gluten and pumpkin that goes so well together. Bagels are also a convenient college breakfast that can easily be taken on the go. These bagels are not overwhelmingly pumpkin tasting — they just have a bit of spice. What makes them delicious is the addition of pumpkin cream cheese. It’s creamy and cinnamon-y, and compliments the bagels perfectly.
Lunch:
Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque. You can find this soup amongst the refrigerated prepared foods near the produce. Okay, to be honest — if you are a fan of Panera Bread’s Autumn Squash Soup and were hoping that this bisque would taste like it, it does not. However, it is still very good, just in a more savory way. This soup tastes earthy and warm, actually not sweet like you might imagine a pumpkin soup. It makes a delicious meal paired with a sandwich or salad and tastes great with pumpkin seeds on top for some crunch.
Dinner (because who doesn't love a full day of pumpkin-flavored foods):
Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli. So many people are skeptical of this one, but do not be afraid to try it if you like Trader Joe’s ravioli. My favorite way to eat the dish is to toss the pasta into a pan with some browned butter, chopped fresh sage, a sprinkle of nutmeg and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Then top it with some toasted walnuts, roasted butternut squash and shaved parmesan. The ravioli is slightly sweet and tastes incredible if you eat it this way. If you are still not convinced, you just need to try it for yourself.
Snacks:
Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps. All of Trader Joe’s crisps flavors are delicious. These pumpkin cranberry ones encapsulate the warm flavors of fall into deliciously crunchy crackers. They are tasty on their own or paired with goat cheese.
Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s. Honestly, these are way better than the regular Joe-Joe’s. The cookies taste like pumpkin spice, and the cream has a delicious pumpkin flavor as well. They also have a pretty generous amount of cream, which everyone knows is the best part.
And lastly, just because you can never have too much pumpkin…
Pumpkin Rolls. If you like warm and gooey yet flaky cinnamon rolls and pumpkin, you will love these. That is all.
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