NYC’s 7 Best Pumpkin Dishes

229 9th Ave, Ste 1, New York, NY 10001 (map)

Braised Pumpkin with Ginger and Scallion: Grand Sichuan is that rare Chinese restaurant that's authentic without being a hole-in-the-wall and refined without being expensive. The braised pumpkin with ginger and scallion is a delicious and welcome alternative to more standard Chinese vegetables, and makes an excellent autumnal side dish. The pumpkin, which is cubed and tossed in a bit of ginger-scallion sauce, is neither overly crunchy nor soggy. It tastes fresh and appropriately squash-like.

100 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009 (map)

Pumpkin Pie Dumplings: Though you may think of dumplings as a meat and chive sort of food, Dumpling Man is bound to change that. This narrow East Village spot serves sweet dumplings alongside more traditional salty and savory ones. The so-called Sweetie Pie is a case in point: Four doughy steamed dumplings (for just $3.75!) stuffed with homemade pumpkin pie, goji berries and raisins, and topped with swirls of condensed milk and honey. The result is a perfectly sweet snack that tastes like piping hot pockets of sweet potato pie.

52 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003 (map)

Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Croquetas: Mario Batali’s small, rustic Gramercy resto serves some of the city's most authentic Spanish tapas. Among the mouthwatering offerings are the pumpkin and goat cheese croquetas, which are a must-try even if you're not on a pumpkin binge. The dense croquetas come eight to a plate and are served with fried sage, which adds texture and flavor to the creamy, warm, dense pumpkin and goat cheese filling.

66 Mott St, New York, NY 10013 (map)

Short Rib Beef in a Pumpkin: This Chinatown joint gets the award for most inventive use of pumpkin. At Amazing 66, the pumpkin itself is the cooking vessel. Order the short rib beef in a pumpkin ($38) and watch as the waiter delivers a large platter, upon which sits a kabocha pumpkin in a pool of curry sauce; as he precisely cuts into the gourd, tender braised short ribs fall out. The beef is amazingly juicy and the sweet taste of the pumpkin blends seamlessly with the spicy curry. The extravagant dish serves six to eight people (pumpkins aren't small, you know), and is a true show-stopper.