https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation...food-and-drink

The Trader Joe's Pumpkin Foods You Need in Your Life

By LEE BRESLOUER

Updated On 09/26/2019
@LeeBreslouer

"Nothing is certain other than death, taxes, and Trader Joes having a truckload of pumpkin-flavored food every fall. Only one of those things fill us with joy every time we encounter it, so if youre looking for a story about death and taxes look elsewhere, hombre. But if youre looking for a rundown of the best pumpkin stuff youre going to find at (almost) everyones favorite specialty grocer, this story is for you. These are the essential Trader Joes pumpkin products you need in your life.

These are the essential Trader Joes pumpkin products you need in your life:


Pumpkin Joe-Joe's

Having tasted every Oreo in existence, I know that with flavors like Cinnamon Bun or Birthday Cake, Nabisco does not aim for subtlety. I fully expected TJs would follow Oreos lead and overwhelm my tastebuds with pumpkin spice. That did not happen, and I couldnt be happier about it. Despite the fact that this is made from two pumpkin-flavored cookies with a layer of pumpkin creme inside, the Joe-Joe isnt as pumpkiny as youd think -- theres just enough spice to keep your mouth happy. And because the creme is the best part, TJs adds a sizable layer that squishes out of the cookie when you bite down. Dip this into the whipped cream atop a Pumpkin Spice Latte and you might reach peak fall.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix

I know, I know -- who the hell wants to bake cookies when TJs offers so many delicious pre-made snacks? But its worth mixing together a couple ingredients for one sole reason: the smell of fall that will emanate from your oven when youre baking it. Its an intoxicatingly delicious scent, like baking an edible pumpkin Yankee Candle. (Please do not eat Yankee Candles). You can either make 24 small cookies or about 16 larger ones. Youll even have plenty of cookies left over to give away to friends, who will think youre some sort of Martha Stewart. The cookies have a ton of chocolate chips, and youll probably also notice that the spice blend goes heavy on the nutmeg. But if nutmeg and chocolate chips dont sound good to you, why are you even reading this?!

Pumpkin Caramel Danish Kringle

Yeah, this isnt a Trader Joes-branded item. But it may be one of the few nationwide grocers where you can find this delightful, oversized pastry courtesy of Racine, Wisconsin's iconic O&H Danish Bakery, which will otherwise ship you one direct for around $30 (here it's under $10). Id never had one before, so I was surprised when a danish in the exact shape of a toilet seat came out of the bag. I threw it in the oven for three and a half minutes as instructed, and when it came out, I had the distinct pleasure of eating one of the best pumpkin-flavored pastries Ive ever had. Its flaky, warm, and has just the right of pumpkin spice. I prepared it as a midnight snack, but Ive got a feeling its been enjoyed on a crisp fall morning with a cup of coffee. Pumpkin spice coffee, obviously.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

The funniest thing about the instructions for preparing this pre-made cheesecake is that it says it keeps for five days in the fridge. The odds of this dessert made with real pumpkin not being completely eaten in five days are small indeed. Its staggeringly affordable at $6.99, and all it requires from you is to defrost it overnight in the fridge, and taking it out one to two hours before you want to eat a slice of this decadent cheesecake with a whole-wheat crust. Best of luck not finishing it in one sitting.


Greek Nonfat Pumpkin Yogurt

Nonfat Greek yogurt made with skim milk might not sound like a decadent snack, but itll only take a spoonful for you to change your mind. A dose of pumpkin puree, along with spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and a healthy heaping of ginger help push this into must-buy territory for any Greek yogurt fan. Despite nonfat yogurt not being nearly as sexy and Instagrammable as Pumpkin Butter, this is one of those seasonal products that flies under the radar and is equally as craveable. Does it have something to do with the 17 grams of sugar in it? Sure, that doesnt hurt. On the plus side, it has zero fat, 12 grams of protein, and a flavor you wont find in Greek yogurt at TJs at any other point this year. Stock up.

Organic Pumpkin Bread

If someone saw you put a piece of bread up to your nostrils and inhale all the incredible aromas from it, theyd probably wonder why you were doing that in full view of everyone in the break room. But trust us: This bread is worth ostracizing yourself from your work friends. Throw a slice or two of the cinnamon raisin-sized bread in the toaster. Spread on a little TJs Pumpkin Cream Cheese or Pumpkin Butter, or even apple preserves. Youll get a little crunch from the pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds, and plenty of pumpkin spice flavor from the cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This is the first year Organic Pumpkin Bread has been on the shelves, and were guessing it wont be the last.

Pumpkin Biscotti

While some of TJs gourd-focused food goes easy on the pumpkin spices, the biscotti decidedly does not. Youll taste every bit of that familiar spice blend (cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg) along with the familiar crunchy biscotti bite you know and love. And while TJs couldve gotten away with just adding spices to this Italian biscuit, it actually added real pumpkin puree. I went nuts and dipped it into New Orleans iced coffee, and it was delicious. Its worth picking up to add a pumpkin kick to your next coffee break.

Pumpkin Bisque

We get a glorious amount of sunlight in the summertime, but a couple days after Halloween, well have to set our clocks an hour back. The days will get shorter, the nights longer, and the temperatures will drop. But at least well have bisque. Specifically, this hearty pumpkin bisque made primarily with pumpkin puree, heavy cream, olive oil, and tahini. The bisque gets its depth of flavor from apple cider vinegar, garlic, and other spices, resulting in a soup youll inevitably microwave and pair with three slices of Pumpkin Bread instead of making dinner. But who can blame you? It gets dark at like 6pm! What are you supposed to do, be motivated enough to cook for yourself?!


Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

Corn. Thats what most tortilla chips taste like. Like eating stale corn. Im not knocking it! I love dipping tortilla chips into guac and salsa. But these Pumpkin Tortilla Chips are a real shot to the bow of the Tortilla Chip Industrial Complex. Theyve got a satisfying crunch, but theres also a bonus cinnamon and nutmeg kick. One caveat: The chain recommends you dip it into Pumpkin Greek Yogurt. Im sorry, but Ive never been eating a bowl of yogurt and thought, €œLet me grab a bag full of Tostitos right quick!€� Heres the good news: Its delicious paired on the side of any sandwich (especially something Thanksgiving-y like The Bobbie) or just to snack on when youre watching weekend football.

Pumpkin Butter

Let me first talk about what this Pumpkin Butter isnt. It isnt full of oils or laden with preservatives. Heres the entirety of this edible holiday-in-a-jar: pumpkin, sugar, honey, lemon juice concentrate, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg. I spread it on bread and loved how it reminded me of apple butter, consistency-wise, but was even more fall appropriate. The serving size is 1 tablespoon, and unlike every other serving size suggestion, they couldnt be more right. You dont need more than that to transform any snack or meal. Another idea: If you like eating oatmeal when it gets colder, a tiny scoop of pumpkin butter is your new best friend. Or you can shovel some onto another Trader Joes item, like that new, fantastic Organic Pumpkin Bread.

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Ginger Brew Sparkling Beverage

Will you be celebrating Sober October? If so, consider bringing a bottle of this to a Halloween party. After all, its basically ginger beer wearing a pumpkin mask. The first thing youll notice is that it looks like it costs way more than the super affordable $2.99 we picked it up for in the Denver area. But most importantly, it tastes fantastic. When you lift the bottle, look for the ginger puree sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Thatll clue you in for the serious amount of ginger flavor in this heavily carbonated party starter. Plus, youll get all the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and clove notes youre seeking this fall -- the latter of which is especially strong in the finish. Pouring yourself a pint out of such a pretty looking bottle feels celebratory. Grab a glass, champ.

Pumpkin Spice Biocellulose Face Mask

When I first saw this pop up in my Instagram feed, I was sure it was one of those fake products by Truewagner. But nope, TJs wants your face to smell like your kitchen does from September through December. Still, its probably better for your skin than slapping a slice of Organic Pumpkin Bread on your punim, though we wont judge either way...."

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Lee Breslouer is a writer and editor based in Colorado. If you prick him, he bleeds pumpkin-spiced blood. Follow him @LeeBreslouer.

On Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 12:24:47 PM UTC-5, GM wrote:
>
> https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation...food-and-drink
>
> The Trader Joe's Pumpkin Foods You Need in Your Life
>
> These are the essential Trader Joes pumpkin products you need in your life:
>
> Pumpkin Joe-Joe's
>
Pass
>
> Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix
>
Pass
>
> Pumpkin Cheesecake
>
Pass
>
> Greek Nonfat Pumpkin Yogurt
>
A definite pass
>
> Organic Pumpkin Bread
>
Pass
>
> Pumpkin Biscotti
>
Pass
>
> Pumpkin Bisque
>
Pass
>
> Pumpkin Tortilla Chips
>
PASS
>
> Pumpkin Butter
>
M.a.y.b.e a tiny taste.
>
> Pumpkin Pie Spiced Ginger Brew Sparkling Beverage
>
PASS
>
> Pumpkin Spice Biocellulose Face Mask
>
Hahahahahaaaaa, noooooo.

wrote:
> On Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 12:24:47 PM UTC-5, GM wrote:
>>
>> https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation...food-and-drink
>>
>> The Trader Joe's Pumpkin Foods You Need in Your Life
>>
>> These are the essential Trader Joe€„¢s pumpkin products you need in your life:
>>
>> Pumpkin Joe-Joe's
>>
> Pass
>>
>> Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix
>>
> Pass
>>
>> Pumpkin Cheesecake
>>
> Pass
>>
>> Greek Nonfat Pumpkin Yogurt
>>
> A definite pass
>>
>> Organic Pumpkin Bread
>>
> Pass
>>
>> Pumpkin Biscotti
>>
> Pass
>>
>> Pumpkin Bisque
>>
> Pass
>>
>> Pumpkin Tortilla Chips
>>
> PASS
>>
>> Pumpkin Butter
>>
> M.a.y.b.e a tiny taste.
>>
>> Pumpkin Pie Spiced Ginger Brew Sparkling Beverage
>>
> PASS
>>
>> Pumpkin Spice Biocellulose Face Mask
>>
> Hahahahahaaaaa, noooooo.
>

It's about time for Popeye to tell us for the 1000th time that
pumpkin ain't pumpkin ... It's squash.