Give me pumpkin over peppermint, please

I’m disturbed by the number of holiday commercials invading my screen while I’m slowly and reluctantly putting away my Halloween decorations in their labeled boxes in the garage. 

But I get it, when the world feels like it’s teetering on the edge of spooky, the holidays give us something to look forward to. Still, who decided that gingerbread and peppermint should try to edge out pumpkin season?

Halloween has always been the holiday I crave most. One year, my dad took me to the local graveyard on Halloween night. I may or may not have been scared out of my gourds, but it’s a memory I’ll never forget.

I dream of the day when I will have enough money and storage to become that house on the street — you know, the one covered in skeletons coming out of their graves, glowing larger-than-life ghosts, a fog machine working overtime. In my fantasy, I fill the entire neighborhood with the sweet smell of pumpkin (my true seasonal flavor soulmate). 

Photo by Emma Burke Jolly

So while the rest of the world fast-forwards to Santa and sleigh bells, I’ll be here sipping a pumpkin-flavored latte and soaking up every last bit of spooky season magic as we wait for Thanksgiving to come.

In order to hold onto the Florida fall, here are the best spots to snag your pumpkin-flavored items while you still can. 

Root & Seed

8209 Natures Way, Suite 107, Lakewood Ranch; 941-362-2006; RootNSeed.com

Pick of the patch: Pumpkin spice donuts ($7.70) to start the day? Twist my arm. Out in Lakewood Ranch, these vanilla cake–based beauties are giving fall flavor a serious glow-up. Each bite blends pumpkin spice and organic pumpkin purée into a soft, sweet and perfectly spiced moment of morning bliss. The best part? They’re vegan, 100% gluten-free and refined sugar-free, proof that indulgence doesn’t have to come with guilt. Consider your breakfast officially gourd-geous.

Spice, spice baby: Go ahead and order your granola bowl ($14) and add the seasonal twist of pumpkin granola to feel that fall vibe even if it's in the low 80s. 

Yoder's Pie Craft & Coffee Co.

3404 Bahia Vista St., Facebook.com/YodersPieCraftCoffee

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Pick of the patch: Unless you’re brand new to town (or have been living under a rock without Wi-Fi), you already know Yoder’s would make any respectable pumpkin list. But what might surprise you is their newest sweet endeavor. At the newbie Yoder spot, you’ll find weekly mini pies stealing the show, from the rich, velvety pumpkin cheesecake to the local legend itself, the pumpkin cream ($7.99 and up). One bite and you’ll understand why this Amish-inspired favorite continues to pie-oneer Sarasota’s dessert scene.

Spice, spice baby: Don't be surprised when I let out a squeal over these fall special drinks at the craft coffee company. Pumpkin cheesecake latte ($4.95 and up), apple pie chai, maple cinnamon macchiato are three of the phenomenal fall offers.

Big Top Brewing

3045 Fruitville Commons Blvd., Sarasota; 941-225-8433; 975 Cattleman Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; BigTopLive.com; 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton; 941-708-2966; BigTopBrewing.com

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Pick of the patch: This marks my ninth fall in Sarasota and my ninth year making sure my tastebuds get their annual treat of Pumpkin Stiltskin ale from this beloved local brewery. When it disappears from taps, it haunts me (in true spooky-season fashion). When I finally spot it again, I’m filled with boo-tiful relief and — let’s be honest — a pretty happy buzz, thanks to the ale's 8.9% ABV. With flavors of baked pumpkin, cinnamon, roasted honey, brown sugar and fresh vanilla bean, this brew is pure pumpkin perfection. Oh my gourd, it’s scary how good it is.

Spice, spice baby: Comparing apples to pumpkins here, both autumnal aromas that I will be sipping right through Turkey Day. The Apple Cider traditional ($4 and up) comes in at 4.7% ABV and it's a patch made in heaven.

Detwiler's Farm Market

6000 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota; 941-724-8304; 1250 US-41 BYP, Venice; 941-234-4577; 6100 N Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota; 941-724-8300; 1800 U.S. 301, Palmetto; 941-803-7518; 2881 Clark Road, Sarasota; 941-263-4305; 3500 53rd Ave. W, Bradenton; 941-242-1580; DetwilerMarket.com

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Pick of the patch: Made with a slice of their scratch-made pumpkin pie and a scoop of local pumpkin swirl ice cream, the Detwiler’s Pumpkin Pie Milkshake ($5.99) is the kind of treat that bring all the ghouls and goblins to the yard, even long after Halloween has passed. Creamy, spiced and perfectly indulgent, it’s fall in a cup. If pumpkin isn’t your only autumn craving, try one of the apple cider milkshakes they're shaking up for anyone chasing that cozy, crisp-fall flavor. 

Spice, spice baby: Still craving something sweet? The bakery released pumpkin delight cups with a holy trinity layer of ginger snap crust, pumpkin pudding and whipped cream. 

Trader Joe's

4101 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-922-5727; 8111 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton; 941-355-2394. TraderJoes.com

Pick of the patch and spice, spice baby: This entire article was inspired by my seasonal addiction of the honey roasted pumpkin raviolis described by Trader Joe's team as sweet pumpkin "slathered with honey and a bit of brown sugar and molasses, then roasted, pureed, and blended with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses." Chef's kiss.