The pumpkins are carved, the lattes are pumpkin-spiced, and the pumpkin pies are topped with whipped cream. The round, ribbed orange squash is serving its seasonal duties.
However, Miami restaurants are pushing the envelope with pumpkin this season. Here are the ten best dishes to try, ranging from savory to sweet and from Haitian to Jamaican and from Vietnamese to Italian.
See also: Ten Best Mac 'n' Cheese Dishes in Miami
10. Pumpkin amaretto sorrentino at Mr. Pasta
Mr. Pasta specializes in one thing -- you guessed it: pasta. Owner Jorge Stekelorum offers a bunch of pasta strands and a punch of flavors between dough, but during the fall, there is nothing better than pumpkin and amaretto sorrentino. It's like ravioli but round. The filling is sweet and slightly nutty. Take them home, boil them, and pair them with a butter or cream sauce for extra decadence. It is homemade pasta without all the hassle.
9. Pumpkin soup at Tap Tap
Pumpkin soups make cameos across the city, but Tap Tap keeps it simple. There's no need for crème fraîche or other additions. The Haitian hotspot in South Beach serves a bowl of rich, root-vegetable-heavy soup ($6) all year long. It's beyond tasty -- with bits of potatoes, carrots, celery, and pumpkin.
8. Poor man's ravioli at Josh's Deli
Madonna once said, "Poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another." Well, we're glad Josh gave us permission to eat his poor man's ravioli ($16) -- bone marrow, pumpkin, and ricotta loosely folded into dough pockets and served with a maitake-and-Marsala gravy. Indulge in the deli's pasta nights Friday and Saturday.
7. Pumpkin Patch at the Dutch
There are a ton of fall-forward cocktails popping up on drink menus, but our favorite is at the Dutch. After months of recipe testing and trying to get butternut squash purée perfect, the restaurant upgraded to the superior squash: pumpkin. The Pumpkin Patch ($15) comes with Laird's Applejack Brandy, a pumpkin purée-flavored syrup, Cointreau, and rosemary. The flavor and texture are incredible and make you want to toast the season.
6. Squash and pumpkin soup at Hy Vong
At Hy Vong it's hard to think beyond the pho, but there is something else worth trying. The pumpkin soup is so light and delightful. The flavor is deep, with many layers and spices in the mix -- each spoonful reveals a new taste.
5. Pumpkin pie at Mignonette
For a pie that's effing fancy, head to the oyster bar and say, "Shuck yeah!" to dessert. This filling has some exciting additions, such as a bit of ancho chili and sherry vinegar. It has some Valrhona milk chocolate on top and toasted pumpkin seed sprinkles. We aren't sure why all of these ingredients work together, but we're glad that they do.
4. Chicken and pumpkin soup at Jamaica Kitchen
If you have a case of the Mondays, grab some comfort with island style. The chicken and pumpkin soup at Jamaica Kitchen is served Mondays ($4.50 for a small). It's food for the soul and not to be missed. If you do miss it, try again Saturday for the beef and pumpkin variety.
3. Pumpkin agnolotti at DB Bistro Moderne
We haven't yet reached the season with chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but DB Bistro's fall-centric pumpkin agnolotti ($18/$28) is perfection. For some greenery, Brussels sprouts and sage appear in this patch of pumpkin sweetness.
2. Pumpkin pie from Fireman Derek's
You're in luck this holiday season. You don't have to chase down a food truck for a slice of heaven. Fireman Derek's Wynwood pie shop is up and running, and pumpkin pies will be available in the next couple of days through at least until Thanksgiving. Pie prices range from $5 to $6 per slice to $20 to $25 per pie, so try a few and pair with a slice of quiche for a complete wedge-shaped meal.
1. Duck and pumpkin dumplings at Pubbelly
It may be difficult to say "duck and pumpkin dumplings" ($12) five times fast, but devouring four of them is easy. The ravioli-like dumplings are melt-in-your-mouth good, with the named main ingredients accompanied by orange, crushed almonds, cinnamon, and soy brown butter.
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