The Pumpkin Fest is a slice of Americana. Keene itself has the sweetest little Main Street – lined with independent shops and topped by Central Square with it’s gazebo and big white church spire.

I try to go to the festival every year. This year I stayed with friends Friday and we headed down for breakfast at Timoleans before taking a leisurely walk. There are all sorts of concessions and people in costume are admiring the carved pumpkins that fill the scaffolding that line the streets. We ran into lots of people we knew and the weather didn’t turn nasty til we were safe at home cooking a pumpkin based feast for 10!

Every year in conjunction with the festival, my friends and I try to host a pumpkin dinner. The menu varies, but the main ingredient is the same. Here is what we served this year:

Signature drink: Caramel apple cocktail made with cider, apple brandy, butterscotch schnapps and prosecco. It had a cinnamon sugar rimmer and a stemless maraschino cherry. We also served beer and wine.
Appetizers: Pumpkin bread with cream cheese and salted butter, olives, crackers, cheese, grapes and smoked salmon
First course: Pumpkin, goat cheese and crab soufflé in mini pumpkins (show stopper)
Salad: Maple roasted pumpkin, onion and pancetta over arugula with goat cheese, pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds and a balsamic vinaigrette
Entree: Italian spice marinated grilled pork loin and pumpkin lasagna
Dessert: Pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust and apple and current crostata