The Fall Scoop

Fall has officially arrived, in with the season comes the culinary delights people have been clamoring for during the long heat spells of summer. National coffee shops have even reported a shortage on their pumpkin flavor syrups, unable to predict the increasing popularity of the fall beverage trend.  While foods that correlate directly to a particular season, holiday, or tradition, certainly exist it is important to find ways to keep everyday favorites from being left behind. 

Photohraphy by Andrew Scrivan

Before jumping into fall full-throttle, take note this year’s impeccable fig crop transcends late summer and will represent itself against the more traditional fall contenders. The abundance of fruitful stateside fig trees, largely popular as a result of the ancestral trend of bringing over a sapling from a family tree in Italy to plant in a new garden, will allow for extended eating of the sweet marvels.  To use fresh figs with a fall twist it is neat to incorporate them with the top October foods of Italy.   Fall festivals throughout Italy celebrate truffles, chocolate, chestnuts, and mushrooms.  Ideas include fig jam for dipping chocolate, baked figs tossed in pasta with porcini mushrooms, olive oil, and prosciutto, and figs to be roasted alongside the chestnuts. Figs for fall!

Cinnamon and Pumpkin Gelato

  Another Italian treat that must refuse to adhere to a particular season is in the form of dessert, gelato. It is not just used as a means to cool down in the heat, but the rich texture is the perfect accoutrement to many fall favorites.  Once it is time to throw hands up and commit to the colder months ahead the best course of action is to spend a day apple picking. This will translate into gathering the family together to make a favorite apple dessert recipe (warm pie, crisp, cake… endless possibilities), this year adorned with a scoop of gelato. Add gelato to spiked cider for festive fall adult entertaining, and to make the impending winter months seem a bit more enjoyable.

Even simplicity reigns, grill up those figs and serve with gelato and unlimited topping selections!

Truly, gelato adds depth and decadence to all the fall flavors, even the hot commodity in the coffee world. The infamous pumpkin spice latte topped with a scoop of gelato may cause a full blown frenzy!

Pumpkin and cinnamon gelato is now available in Pino Gelato locations (in plentiful amounts)… oh the possibilities! 

Pumpkin Gelato