Departments

Pumpkin Flavored Everything 

Must-try local foods featuring the season’s most ubiquitous ingredient

Spice Infused Pumpkin Gelato

The weather may be cooling, but that won’t deter die-hard gelato fans from indulging in a chilly treat, especially when we are talking about the spice infused pumpkin gelato from The Knotted Cone, Gelato Co. This gelato is made with a combination of pie spices and 100 percent pure pumpkin that is blended and frozen for serving. Another popular fall flavor is the roasted almond chai gelato served with an optional-but-encouraged drizzle of Wisconsin maple syrup. Expect to find The Knotted Cone truck at events throughout the Valley until November. For dates and times, visit theknottedcone.com/events.

Pumpkin Spice Crème Brûlée 

Move over pumpkin spice lattes – this crème brûlée from Rye Restaurant in Appleton might just be the best way to enjoy the flavors of fall. Nick Morse, head chef at Rye, says that this fall favorite incorporates seasonal flavors like clove, ginger and cinnamon. With a smooth, creamy custard and a hard caramel crust, the dessert is garnished with a homemade gingersnap cookie and spiced candied pepitas (pumpkin seeds) to add just the right amount of texture.

Spicy Pumpkin & Ham Soup (and a pumpkin pie latte)

Fall is undoubtedly soup season and the spicy pumpkin and ham soup at Shellates in Neenah is a great way to kick it off. Owner Shelly Baeten says the soup’s spice comes from a little jalapeno that adds a nice heat to the savoriness of the pumpkin. “It is definitely one that people love,” Baeten says. “Customers start asking for it by mid-August.” Make sure to save room for dessert – Shellattes is well-known for its homemade pumpkin pie latte. “It’s not just a bottle of syrup. We make it all homemade with real pumpkin,” Baeten says. Just like the soup, the pumpkin pie latte is a seasonal item that is only available during the fall. —ACW

Fall To-Do: Survive a haunted trail walk 

With the light of a single lantern, challenge yourself to survive what waits for you in the woods at The Hallows, a haunted trail walk at Neenah’s Memorial Park on October 6 and 7 from 7-10 p.m. The event is hosted by Youth Go, Inc., a non-profit youth drop-in center located on the Neenah/Menasha border. Call 722-1435 or visit youthgo.org for more information.