Around Halloween, it’s pumpkin everything, everywhere you look. Before you get completely winter-squashed out and everyone’s favorite gourd is still cute, fresh and novel, check out what some of our local chocolatiers, baristas and even beer-makers are concocting with (and in honor of) pumpkins.
As mentioned in Eatin’ in Season elsewhere in this section, Pisgah Brewing Company is making a beer with local, organic pumpkins. What else is happening with the rotund seasonal vegetable?
The Chocolate Fetish is, as always, getting into the spirit of things with chocolate art beautifully painted (with edible dye, of course) pumpkins in its display cases. Ever the holiday entrepreneurs, TCF has even moved ahead to
Thanksgiving, already offering fall-colored centerpieces, turkeys and cornucopias — and everything is made out of chocolate. 36 Haywood St. http://www.chocolatefetish.com.
Last year, we told you to back away from the Starbuck’s pumpkin-spice latte, and we say it again: People, one grande pumpkin-spice latte has 380 calories, 13 grams of fat and an astounding 49 grams of sugar — refined, white sugar, that is.
We remind you that Waking Life Espresso in West Asheville has its Zombie Pumpkin latte on the menu again. It’s made with real pumpkin (that’s canned for pies), as well as raw sugar, sea salt and hand-ground spices. It’s $4 for a 12-ounce cup. Go ahead — get it. 976 Haywood Road. http://wakinglifeespresso.com.
The French Broad Chocolate Lounge goes all kinds of nuts for the Halloween season. Co-owner Jael Rattigan says that the staff all dressed like the Oompa-Loompas from Willy Wonka last year, for example. The shop offers a fall bounty of apple trifle, pumpkin mousse, truffles and cheesecake, all made with local pumpkins, Rattigan reports. 10 S. Lexington Ave. http://frenchbroadchocolates.com.
Chocolate Gems, the newest chocolatier in downtown Asheville (located on 25 Broadway St.) features a pumpkin gelato on a regular basis for the season. The shop keeps tits Facebook page updated with the daily flavors of their handmade gelato — flavors like mascarpone and cherry, Mexican truffle, cranberry cheesecake and dulce de leche. 25 Broadway St. http://www.chocgems.com.
— Send your food news to food@mountainx.com
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