If you’re like us, the first jack-o-lantern you see gets you dreaming about that first taste of Mom’s pumpkin pie. By the time Turkey Day rolls around, we’re positively going mad with anticipation. Then after weeks of salivating, we finally gobble our precious slice at the end of Thanksgiving dinner. Sure, it’s heaven; but come on, that’s it? We must be out of our gourds to relegate our passion to one measly piece of pie when 80 percent of the U.S. pumpkin supply is available in October! This year we’re not playing good little pilgrims and waiting. We want our pumpkin now. For a smashing good time, try a progressive gourd dinner.
Cocktail hour
We’ve all considered putting a slice of pumpkin pie in the blender, splashing in some vodka and calling it a day. But SushiSamba Rio (504 N. Wells St. 312-595-2300) has a more elegant option. The Halloween Sambatini ($10) combines pumpkin pie mix, plum sake, tropical juices and pumpkin schnapps. Still a little overboard? Try a pumpkin ale: New Holland’s brew is just $3 a bottle this month at Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W. Hubbard St. 312-645-6000).
Soup
Pumpkin soup isn’t so unusual, but have you tried pumpkin stew? Served as a side dish at vegan heaven Amitabul (6207 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-774-0276), the seasonal staple is made with hobak, a funky-looking Korean pumpkin (priced as part of entree, $8-$15). Owner David Choi serves the porridge-like stew with a touch of cinnamon–and sometimes dates and a brown rice cake ball. But ask him about pumpkins, and he’ll likely tell you about Chicago’s most famous variety: Billy Corgan was an early customer, before he hit the big time.
Salads and appetizers
As part of a pumpkin lineup, Brasserie Jo (59 W. Hubbard St. 312-595-0800) offers a salad with watercress, carrots, onions, lentils, dijon vinaigrette, roasted pumpkin and crunchy pumpkin chips (roasted, then deep-fried slices of pumpkin meat; $7.95).
Pumpkin pizza, anyone? Brasserie Jo’s famous tarte flambe (Alsatian-style pizza), comes with roasted pumpkin, duck confit and a mustard aioli ($9.95). Or, head to new “gastrobar” Mix (2843 N. Halsted St. 773-528-7569) for their take on the dish ($8.95).
Looking for real Italian food? Stop by Wicker Park’s Tre Via (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-227-7990), where pumpkin ravioli is always a crowd-pleaser. The small plate-sized serving comes with three pillows of pumpkin mousse-stuffed pasta and, as a seasonal twist, a topper of apple cider-cream sauce with a hint of brown sugar, dusted with graham cracker cookie crumbs ($5).
Entrees
Looking for pumpkin as a main course? Well, good luck. You’ll find it playing a strong supporting role, however, at spots like Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St. 312-664-2727). Chef Randy Zweiban’s venison osso bucco ($21.95) comes with a side of creamy pumpkin rice, which he calls a Latin version of pumpkin risotto. Zweiban uses calabasa (OK, it’s a squash, not a pumpkin, but they’re closely related), along with a Caribbean spice rub to give the dish flair.
Dessert
At this point, who could go back to pie? We’ll take the pumpkin flan ($5), thank you very much. At new restaurant Carnivale (702 W. Fulton Market. 312-850-5005), it’s served with poached pear compote and spicy pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
Coffee
Need caffeine to counteract the turkey tryptophan after your Thanksgiving gorge fest? Make your way to Bobtail Soda Fountain (2951 N. Broadway. 773-880-7372) for a pumpkin ice cream latte ($2.95 small; $3.95 large). This beats that Starbucks stuff: For froth, the jerks–their term, not ours–at Bobtail steam a scoop of house-made pumpkin ice cream rather than plain old milk and flavored syrup. Now that’s a jolt.
