Rhode Island’s 10 Best Pumpkin Dishes

Friday, November 02, 2012

Monica White, GoLocalProv Contributor

With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving on the horizon, there's no better way to get into the spirit of the season than with some pumpkin flavored treats. Here are the top ten pumpkin dishes in Rhode Island.

Prev Next

Pumpkin cupcake

The Duck and Bunny, Providence

This self-proclaimed "snuggery" (yes, it's a real word, meaning a cozy and comfortable place) offers a variety of pumpkin dishes aimed to soften the hearts of its diners after a stressful day. Pumpkin pie is available by the slice or for special order, as well as pumpkin cupcakes with mascarpone frosting. The Pumpkin Latte is locally-made with Pumpkin Spice Tea and tastes like autumn in a cup. Also try the seasonal Smuttynose beer and the Pumpkin-stuffed Crepioli (ravioli made from crepes). These items will be on the menu through November and some through the holiday season. Find out more about this snuggery here.

312 Wickenden Street, Providence. (401) 270-3300.

Prev Next

Stuffed Pumpkin

Iron Works Tavern, Warwick

Courtesy of Cheff Duffney, the Iron Works Tavern's Signature Stuffed Pumpkin is back for the early fall season! This mouth-watering dish is comprised of scallops, dried cranberries, spinach, focaccia croutons, and brown sugar rum butter stuffed into a pumpkin and served over a saffron cream sauce. Enjoy this seasonal favorite in the restaurant's charming environment that takes its diners back to America's yesteryear. Get more info about the restaurant and the Stuffed Pumpkin here.

697 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. (401) 739-5111.

Prev Next

Pumpkin Creme Brûlée

Chapel Grille, Cranston

The Chapel Grille features a Mediterranean Italian menu focused mainly on locally-found ingredients. Try the Pumpkin Creme Brûlée, consisting of chantilly, sweet potato mousse, orange caramel sauce, shortbread dust, toasted pumpkins seeds, and pumpkin seed oil. Enjoy this dish at the bar, by the fireplace, or on the terrance that comes complete with panoramic views. Click here for more information on the Grille.

3000 Chapel View Boulevard, Cranston. (401) 944-4900.

Prev Next

Pumpkin cake

Sin, Providence

Sin Desserts has no shortage of pumpkin delights this fall. Its Pumpkin Chiffon is a very light, soft, almost spongy cake seasoned with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. The Pumpkin Whoopie Pie is a treat not as soft as a cake, but not as crisp as a cookie, with cream cheese filling and a touch of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. The Centerpiece Cake is also offered for Thanksgiving. Though not a pumpkin cake per se because it is too soft to carve at the table, this slightly more dense spice cake is filled with almost every spice you can think of. Check out these and more desserts at Sin's website, here.

200 Allens Avenue, Providence. (401) 369-8427.

Prev Next

Pumpkin Spice Chai

TeaLuxe, Providence

Easily TeaLuxe's most popular drink in the fall season, the Pumpkin Spice Chai features a black tea base with dried pumpkin and spices such as clove, cinnamon, and ginger. The drink is made with your choice of whole, skim, or soy milk and although most people choose to drink it hot, TeaLuxe does also offer the drink cold. Enjoy this tea freshly brewed in the store's cafe or purchase a tin of loose tea to take home. Get more info or order tea wholesale here.

231 Thayer Street, Providence. (401) 453-4832.

Prev Next

Pasta di Zucca

Pizzico Ristorante, Providence

Pizzico Ristorante is an award-winning restaurant serving some of Providence's best Italian cuisine. The meticulously prepared Pasta di Zucca is a dish comprised of pockets of sage pasta stuffed with pumpkin and served in a creamy sauce of pesto, fresh tomato, and parmesan. The rustic, classic decor of this eatery brings a little piece of Tuscany to Rhode Island. Enjoy and meal here for the perfect romantic outing or celebration. More info here.

762 Hope Street, Providence. (401) 421-4114.

Prev Next

Ears of Fall

Ella's Fine Food and Drink

This coastal eatery is happy to welcome the fall season with the Ears of Fall dish, comprised of orecchiette pasta with fresh pumpkin, mascarpone cheese, crispy prosciutto, and fresh thyme. The award-winning Chef Jeanie Roland and her husband James Roland co-own and operate the restaurant, which prides itself on fresh, organic ingredients and innovative dishes of French and Asian influences. Enjoy the Ears of Fall dish inside the elegant, newly remodeled Westerly historic building or on Ella's lovely outdoor patio. Click here for more info on Ella's.

2 Tower Street, Westerly. (401) 315-0606.

Prev Next

Pumpkin Seed Bread

Seven Stars Bakery, Providence + Rumford

The Seven Stars Bakery bakes its breads and pastries fresh daily from scratch without the use of mixes, additives, or preserves. This fall, the bakery's three locations will be offering the ever-popular Pumpkin Seed Bread until around Christmas. The savory bread is made with pumpkin purée, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds. Find out more at http://www.sevenstarsbakery.com/.

820 Hope Street, Providence. (401) 521-2200.

Prev Next

Pumpkin ice cream

Gray's Ice Cream, Tiverton

For those who refuse to let the passing of the summer months ruin their penchant for ice cream, Gray's Ice Cream has been serving homemade ice cream 365 days a year since 1923. The award-winning parlor is now offering its seasonal Pumpkin ice cream as part of its menu, which consists of more than 40 flavors. Find out more about this Rhode Island hotspot here.

16 East Road, Tiverton, (401) 624-4500.

Prev Next

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

The Bakery Boutique, Smithfield

The Bakery Boutique is a gourmet bake shoppe co-owned by Deana and Ryan Cimorelli, who was the 3rd place winner on TLC's hit show Next Great Baker. Specializing in wedding cakes, custom cakes, cupcakes, edible favors, and mini-desserts, the bakery will be offering its Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes every Saturday from 10am-4pm until Thanksgiving. The cupcakes feature yummy falls flavors including cinnamon, cardamon, and nutmeg, and are topped with the Boutique's homemade cream cheese frosting. The Bakery Boutique will also be offering classic pumpkin pies leading up to Thanksgiving. Get the latest on this bakery here.

55 Douglas Pike #102, Smithfield. (401) 231-2253.