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I love pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and I will eat butternut squash right out of the rind once it's roasted. I bake pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie in autumn, not really for the holidays so much. I generally love squash. I once made pies from a squash in Peru just because it was a novelty. These squashes/gourds are so big it takes two people to carry one. It's important to remember that pies aren't just a desert - they are often the main course, filled with meats, vegetables, and spices. My family usually has pumpkin pie around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we also get tired of traditional holiday foods. Frequently, for Thanksgiving or Christmas, we will decide to have something different at the table. Last year we had an incredible Italian dish that my father prepared for Christmas, and I smoked chicken and baby back ribs for Thanksgiving. It didn't change the spirit of the holidays at all for us. So, I guess the important thing is that you enjoy what you cook and eat during the holidays.

mmm pumpkin pie is fabulous and should never be forgotten especially on thanksgiving! save the pumpkin pie! :)

I haven't swooned over pumpkin pie yet, but I sure do like it served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I want to swoon over it, though.

@Lippy: I must find that Beard pumpkin pie recipe with preserved ginger and brandy. I've got some Raynal V.S.O.P that needs a job.

I'm far from an expert but I enjoyed the one I had at Wu Liang Ye on 39th and Lex.

I only wish pumpkin pie was popular all year round. I have this theory that people born in the autumn are more likely pumpkin pie lovers - my son and I are scorpios devoted to it, whereas my spring-born wife can take or leave it.. Anyway, if you want to attack something, go after that awful concoction called eggnog!

I love pumpkin pie -- must be *canned* pumpkin (Libby's!) and home-made crust. Moderate dollop of whipped cream.

Cannot however stand pumpkin pie made w/ real pumpkin.

Go figure.

It has to be a pie made with fresh pumpkin, or to clarify, not pumpkin from the can. I always thought I didn't like pumpkin pie until I had a slice that my best friend made with pumpkins he had grown himself. It was soooo good. The next year we bought a locally grown pumpkin and made our own pie with it. Again, it was soooo good. Never again will we use the can to make pumpkin pie.

Sounds yummy! Eggplant is a major food group at my house, eaten at least once a week, as a main course.
When I was young New Orleanians ate eggplant fritters with a dusting of confectioners sugar as a side. I have not seen them in a restaurent or at someone's home, including mine, in at least 30 years. I think they would go nicely with the baked rigatoni and breaded veal cutlets I was planning to serve this Sunday. Funny how dishes fall out of favor.