Are you looking locally to satisfy your pumpkin cravings? So are we. It’s that time of year when we start to crave, carve and consume astounding amounts of the fiery-orange gourd. We’ve got a great list of eateries in our area where you can stop in and sample a local twist on this season’s favorite ingredient.
An incredible 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced annually in the United States, with Pennsylvania ranked in the top five highest-producing states. It’s no wonder that this versatile vegetable (officially labeled a fruit), with all of its edible parts and pieces, is found in abundance in kitchens and restaurants this time of year.
You’ll find pumpkins boiled, baked, steamed and roasted; mashed into soups, made into pies, mixed with other ingredients in savory and sweet creations, even added as flavoring for sippable satisfaction. We located plenty of places serving up pumpkin plates that are sure to tease your taste buds.
The Bakery At Chester Springs (bakeryatchestersprings.com)
2922 Conestoga Rd., Glenmoore
Serving up: Pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin bars (with cream cheese icing), puree of pumpkin soup (with sharp cheddar cheese). Chef Michael Graham displays more than one of his mouthwatering pumpkin culinary creations at the bakery. While desserts are his specialty, you won’t want to miss the savory pumpkin soup. But if sweets are more your style, skip dinner and dive into one of his masterful pastries.
Chester Springs Creamery at Milky Way Farm (milkywayfarm.com)
521 E. Uwchlan Ave, Chester Springs
Serving up: Polly’s Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream. During pumpkin season, not only can you hand-pick your own fresh pumpkins from the field, but you can also stop into the farm’s creamery on the premises. With more than 35 flavors at the creamery (each named for one of the farm’s dairy cows) we would like to thank Polly for her assistance in creating this melt-in-your-mouth version of pumpkin pie.
Iced By Betsy (icedbybetsy.com)
Available at Phoenixville Farmers’ Market, Kennett Square Farmers’ Market and Skippack Farmers’ Market
Serving up: Choktoberfest Cupcake. This moist, fresh pumpkin cupcake is decadently filled with chocolate cream cheese, and generously frosted with cream cheese icing and studded with mini chocolate chips. You’ll feel like a kid again when you bite into this moist dream of a dessert. And believe us, you won’t be able to have just one!
Amani’s (amanisbyob.com)
105 E. Lancaster Ave, Downingtown
Serving up: Seared tilapia with pumpkin butter glaze (offered with pumpkin seed praline, bourbon molasses sauce, sauteed brussels sprouts and parsnip puree). You cannot go wrong with this seasonal dish, prepared by the “Best Chef in Chester County,” John Amann.
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant (ironhillbrewery.com)
In Chester County: 130 E. Bridge St, Phoenixville; 3 West Gay St, West Chester
Serving up: Pumpkin Ale (made with long-neck pumpkins from Yeager’s Farm in Phoenixville). Fill up on local brews made with local ingredients to celebrate the flavors of fall. Get a pint to enjoy there or grab a growler to go. Cheers!
Handcrafted Cookie Company (thehandcraftedcookiecompany.com)
24 S. Main St, Phoenixville
Serving up: Spiced Pumpkin Maple Nut Cookies. The recipe used for the organic cookie shop’s specialty cookie was the winning entry for Handcrafted Cookie’s quarterly contest. With classic and hearty pumpkin notes and a twist of all-natural maple syrup, this cookie is a showstopper among the locals.
Side Bar & Restaurant (sidebarandrestaurant.com)
10 E. Gay St, West Chester
Serving up: Pumpkin fettuccini. We sampled the pumpkin fettuccini covered in amaretto cream sauce, almonds and broccoli rabe, and tomato topped with scallops and shrimp. Various are versions available depending on the special of the day. Have some for yourself at their upcoming Southern Comfort Dinner on Oct. 25. Dine with an owner from Southern Comfort while enjoying five courses, including mushroom, goat cheese and pumpkin fettuccine, each paired with a Southern Comfort cocktail, for only $50.
Look for these other delicious local options:
McKenzie Brew House (Chadds Ford): Pick up a growler of Pumpkinfest, a favorite seasonal ale brewed with PA Dutch pumpkins, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and ginger.
Brown’s Cow (Phoenixville) offers pumpkin ice cream.
Franco Ristorante (Phoenixville) offers pumpkin cheesecake.
Farmer’s Daughter Farm Market (Spring City) offers pumpkin whoopie pies.
Daddy Mims (Phoenixville) offers vanilla-glazed pumpkin cake cookies along with their tasting menu
Petrucci’s (Phoenixville) offers pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin pie mega-blends.
Artisan’s Gallery & Cafe (Phoenixville) offers pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin gelato, mini pumpkin pies, pumpkin soup and pumpkin scones.
French Quarter Bistro (Royersford) offers pumpkin bisque.
Fenix Martini Bar (Phoenixville) offers pumpkin cheesecake.
Fitzwater Station (Phoenixville) has a Pumpkin Pie Martini. It’s made with cinnamon schnapps, Irish cream and coffee liqueur. Yum!
