By Brooke Kohl
I admit it: I scoffed this year when companies began rolling out their pumpkin products in August. Temperatures were still in the 80s, and suddenly stores were selling products that I associate with the crisp bite of fall and the changing colors of leaves.
And yet, a month later, I sit here writing while waiting for the timer to ring on a batch of pumpkin oatmeal cookies. I’ve made pumpkin scones twice, and I hope to make pumpkin muffins soon. I’ve purchased pumpkin donuts and pumpkin frozen yogurt. In short, I’ve fallen for capitalism, and it’s awesome. But what is it that makes pumpkin so special?
For me, it’s been the relationships built around it.
Pumpkin as a flavor has grown on me over the years. My love for it was inspired when I tried delicious pumpkin muffins from Zadie’s Bakeshop’s in Fair Lawn, NJ, a few years ago, and I can confidently say that I am now a big fan. But for a long time, I enjoyed pumpkin season without even necessarily loving its taste. As the leaves begin to fall and the days get colder and darker, pumpkin is there to provide a bit of glow, a seasonal excitement that brings warmth to the coming chill.
But the companionship brought on by pumpkin runs even deeper than the excitement of seeing it in stores and enjoying the burst of flavor on my tongue. Pumpkin season is a huge deal in my household. We don’t buy a ton of pumpkin products, but the ones that we do are held in high regard. Pumpkin is a way for members of my family to keep each other in mind. When I’m away in New York City, I think of my family each time I walk past a pumpkin product. I can’t quite explain why we love pumpkin so much, but I think it’s a combination of its deliciousness and the seasonal excitement that it brings.
Pumpkin has become a way for my family to connect. I brought pumpkin donuts to my mom at work one day over the summer, and the excitement and delight that it brought her made me feel the same. When my siblings and I bought donuts for my parents’ anniversary, we knew to choose pumpkin-flavored ones — and my dad, who is often hard to impress, raved about them the next two times I spoke to him. When I wanted to make scones over the summer, I made pumpkin ones. My parents and I smiled at each other over the delicious scones, and when the bag we kept in our freezer ran out, I quickly made another batch.
The pumpkin connection has extended to friends, as well. After a friend and I had barely seen each other all week, and with a month-long break ahead, we took a moment to slow down over pumpkin-flavored frozen yogurt. We enjoyed each other’s company as we savored the fall flavor, felt the changing of seasons and thought about the semester ahead.
Pumpkin is just one of many seasonal offerings that exist. Each change of season heralds new items in stores and new excitement for consumers, and I recognize the schemes of the companies as they try to entice buyers with special, limited-time products. While it feels a little bit silly to fall for that, my experience with pumpkin has allowed me to see the beauty behind seasonal flavors and products. The relationships pumpkin has strengthened hold the key to the seasonal spirit. The flavor is enjoyable on its own, but it is extra special to me because of the people with whom I share it.
As school begins, winter approaches and changes are on the horizon, pumpkin is there to provide joy, consistency and connection. Winter may be coming, with its darkness and its own beauty, but its path is brightened by pumpkin.
Photo Credit: Unsplash