For the last month I have been completely obsessed with finding canned pumpkin for fall cooking. For those who are not pumpkin freaks, there has been a year long nationwide shortage that has caused grocery stores to not have any pumpkin on their shelves...
I had only four cans left over from last year in my pantry...
...until today!
For weeks I have talked to store managers, people who stock the shelves, and read comments on the Internet all in the hope that I would be able to swoop in and buy up my share of pumpkin the minute that it reached the shelves. I felt like Elaine in the sponge episode of Seinfeld, planning to stockpile the product, evaluating my recipes and trying to decide which were pumpkin worthy and discarding some of the best out of fear that I would be unable to find more pumpkin to use in others.
Alas, I bought 14 cans of pumpkin today (my guilt over possibly leaving none for others stopped me from just arm sweeping all the cans from the shelf into my cart), and plan to buy even more when the next shipment comes in. Turns out that the stuff has a shelf life of three years, so I may even hit Costco in three weeks when their shipment is due in (I accosted the stock boy there two weeks ago and demanded a date of arrival on the orange gold).
Rest assured that there will be a recipe or two in the cookbook that contains pumpkin; I truly feel that it is one of the most versatile and easy to work with fall flavors and that it truly gives you the essence of the season in every bite. Put it in pancakes, breads, pasta dishes, casseroles...
Pumpkin: It's not just for pies anymore.
An amusing side note...I do not like pumpkin pie.
This is good to know because I'm out of canned pumpkin! I will be watching for it at Costco.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that canned pumpkin is a better taste than making one's own. Having tried, I completely believe this to be true. You will be glad to know that in Maine we apparently have lots of cans of pumpkin, so let me know if you want a case or two! Love your blog,Liz! Hugs and kisses to the kids.
ReplyDeleteI cannot explain it, but it is true, it is one of the rare exceptions to the rule that fresh is always best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments!
I don't like Pumpkin pie either, but enjoy Pumpkin Ravioli, pumplin rissoto and my specility, Pumpkin Ice Cream (Edy's) sandwiched in between two ginger snaps! Yum!!
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny. =) I can just picture you stalking the shelves for pumpkin! What if you buy it all and then your testers can't find any?
ReplyDeleteThat is why I left some on the shelf ;)
ReplyDeleteJust made pumpkin choc. chip muffins last night for the girls to take to school....was unaware of the shortage. But I did find a few cans on the shelf, so we have muffins...delish!
ReplyDeleteThe shortage is apparently officially over now, but it was a problem left over from last year's crop. Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins sound delish!
ReplyDeleteThat poor Costco man. And with as often as you're there, he's going to remember you. He's going to see you and think, "It's the crazy pumpkin lady," and quickly dart down an aisle in the opposite direction. I worked in retail...I speak from experience. Congratulations, you've made a name for yourself.
ReplyDelete