Overnight, it seems that L.A.’s thick summer heat has receded to a pleasant breeze, with brittle leaves cluttering the sidewalks and the sun rising later each morning, as if it were too cozy to come out from under the covers.
Fall is here, and just like that, gourds and root vegetables have replaced tomatoes and berries on our grocery store shelves. And while longtime Angelenos know that summer-like heat will likely reappear at some seasonally inopportune time, we’re also eager to embrace whatever slivers of fall we can with layered looks, cinnamon-scented candles and, of course, pumpkin-spiced everything. Starbucks may have brought the pumpkin spice trend to mainstream coffee culture, but its seasonal latte has since become a harbinger of fall.
Other coffee shops and cafes follow suit by rolling out seasonal drinks and food items that incorporate squash, sweet potatoes and more. If you’re looking for local recommendations, check out reporter Stephanie Breijo’s guide to the best pumpkin spice lattes at local coffee shops. It’s a little early to start carving jack-o’-lanterns, but these six recipes, including a pumpkin seed horchata, a creamy pumpkin soup topped with toasted pumpkin seed pesto, Punjabi-spiced pumpkin, a citrusy spiced loaf and a Nashville hot pumpkin pie, will help you get fall started on the right foot.
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