Friday, October 29, 2010


Hey it's Halloween! You know what that means: it's pumpkin time y'all! This season I've rediscovered a love of nearly every sweet thing pumpkin that is not pie. I'm nibbling on a pumpkin chocolate chip cupcake with cream cheese frosting right as we speak (I know, right? Try not to salivate on the keyboard as you ponder on that one). But it all started with one thing: Chet. Yup, reason 647 to lalalove my iPhone 4. Pumpkin.
You see, one day I was perusing my Epicurious app, trying to keep myself from remembering and slightly resenting myself for thinking that early morning custodial really is a great idea (it is, actually. A good idea. It works for me in every way. But sometimes that's a bit difficult to remind yourself when it's 5 am). I was looking in the section called Halloween Treats and for the most part it was what you'd expect. You know, just your run of the mill spider cookies, witch fingers made of baby carrots and "blood" filled cupcakes. But then there was something different, so intriguing I tapped on the icon to see how to make it. My relationship with Epicurious generally dwells in the realm of platonic, we aren't even in the friend zone. Basically I look and dream about being a semi-gourmet perhaps a little hip maybe Ready-Made Julie/Julia hip but I never act on any impulse to make anything from Epicurious. But this recipe. Pumpkin donuts. Pumpkin donuts. I mean fat sack of the most perfect piece of fried serendipity I've ever come in contact with.
So I did the only thing a body can do in that situation. I created an excuse to make these treats. I had a partay. Sort of. Anyway some of my most darlings came and we made pumpkin donuts. Pumpkin donuts. Something I learned is that basically everyone becomes intrigued and somewhat nostalgic for something but they're not sure what when you mention pumpkin donuts. And they did not disappoint. It was just as pumpkin was intended to be experienced: the taste of pumpkin pie but the texture of an old fashioned donut, smothered in cinnamon sugar. I mean come on. You'd have to be made of stone or severely allergic to the squash to not feel some kind of positive reaction to that thought. We liked them. And I'd say we're rather discerning bunch. Plus there was no chocolate, but I still managed to feel satisfied. For whatever that's worth. So, here you go, try it. The Recipe. Love it. And maybe this will help renew your faith in this fall staple. It sure has for me. Thanks Chet.