As the Presidential election draws ever closer, it’s easy to forget about the simple things in life.
Just think about it, that person could be the next president. It doesn’t matter which side of the political fence you’re on; you’ve got to be a little scared at this moment.
But, Halloween is around the corner, and there are feasts on the calendar in front of us. So, even if you’re sitting, absolutely paralyzed with fear regarding the elections, you should be worrying about what pairs best with pumpkins.
We know this sounds like an enormous leap. But, Halloween is the last holiday on the calendar before the elections and Thanksgiving is the first after them. Pumpkins are one of the few things tying those two holidays together. And one way or another, you’re going to have to get through both (whether you celebrate or commiserate at the table).
And, October 26th is National Pumpkin Day; in fact, October is National Pumpkin Month.
It’s worth taking a moment away from your fears to think about the feasts, don’t you think?
What Goes Well with Pumpkins?
You’d be surprised at how many things go well with this squash.
Let’s begin with what should be obvious. Herbs. Rosemary and thyme make the most amazing accompaniments. Really. All you need to do is sprinkle some salt, drizzle some oil, and add a few sprigs of thyme or rosemary and have the most delicious dish you can imagine. (Did we forget to tell you to roast it, covered in foil?)
You could also give basil a try, or add in a few slivers of red onion. If you were just going to toast the seeds, a sprinkling of cumin would add marvelous depth to your snack. And, you could consider the seeds or the flesh of the pumpkin in anything made with couscous.
The point is that herbs and savories pair remarkably well with pumpkin. And, yet, we tend to think more about the sweet ways to prepare this veggie.
Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are beloved by every child that can get their hands on them. Once you add some sugar, eggs, and evaporated milk, you basically have the makings of a pumpkin pie. You would need, however, some cinnamon (and perhaps some nutmeg) to really make it sparkle as a dessert.
What you may not realize is that cinnamon and capsaicin (the stuff that makes chili peppers feel hot in your mouth) are related. They share the same chemical stem. If you need proof, please grab some Red Hots from the bag of any trick-or-treater that you know. Alternatively, you can wade through chemical research on the matter, but that won’t be nearly as fun.
And that should tell you just how well chili peppers go with pumpkin. They go really well with pumpkin. Pairing chili peppers and pumpkin is natural; they bring out the best in each other.
Incidentally, Hillary Clinton is a chili head. She loves the hot stuff – meaning spicy foods (contrary to Trump who seems to believe that hot stuff applies to women that don’t seem to appreciate the groping). And that brings us back to worrying about the election.
Sorry.
But, in the meantime, enjoy the pumpkin and chilies; they really are the perfect pairing.