One of my favourite times of the year is now, as the leaves change colours marks the harvest and of course Canadian Thanksgiving. Of course pumpkins always come to mind, as does squash, yams, walnuts and so much more! While I do love a good pumpkin pie, the traditional pumpkin pie can be found almost everywhere, so to go a bit untraditional this year, here are some new favourites that you can find in the city now, all of which will be available throughout October.

Starting off on the savoury side, here is the Harvest Pizza at Pazza Rella Food Truck which I created with them, you may want to ask for the Vancouver Foodster Harvest Pizza when you order one. This Napoletana pizza is topped with butternut & buttercup squash, walnuts, feta cheese, bechamel, and caramelized onions. Since they are mobile they tend to move from their Coal Harbour spot to other places around the city, best to follow them on twitter @PazzaRellaPizza for their location.

Now on to the sweet side, here is the Harvest Bourbon Crumble Pecan Pumpkin Pie from Vancouver Pie Hole which is just that holy frick’n goodness in a pie. You can order direct from them online http://www.vancouverpiehole.com/ and pickup or have it delivered to you, or pick one up at Pete’s Meats.

Now for something very different, desserts in a jar are always fun treats, this is a Pumpkin Pie in a Jar created by Beta 5 with spiced pumpkin custard w/ maple-bourbon cream, pumpkin seed granola and sage-brown butter marshmallows. You can pick one or more up at their factory store for only $6 each. They are located at 413 Industrial Avenue or tweet them @Beta5chocolates

Since I love ice cream and many others do as well, here is an ice cold treat, Pumpkin with Pumpkin Seed Brittle Ice Cream at Chocolate Arts, it is a 16oz tub for $6.95 and you can pick one up in there store. They are located at 1620 West 3^rd Avenue or tweet them @ChocArts

I am sure there are many more bakeries, cafes, chocolatiers, restaurants, food trucks, gelateria’s, sweet shops around the city have created dishes to celebrate the harvest. Feel free to tweet me your finds @vanfoodster

By: Richard Wolak