\n
![\"Mom](\"http:\/\/story2write.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Mom-March-Sept.-2015-392.jpg\")
<\/a>These made me a bit nervous, having tried Pringles\u2019 version of this \u201cspicy\u201d chip last season. But this chip was surprisingly different. Rather than merely a corn chip coated with a pumpkin spice powdered seasoning, the pumpkin flavor was integrated into the chip. Toasted pumpkin seeds were also mixed in. These started out a bit strong on the flavoring, but then finished a bit mellow with more of a tortilla chip flavor. These were not a huge hit with my fellow family taste testers, but not a complete washout. I think they would be really nice served with a kiwi-strawberry-apple salsa.<\/p>\nPumpkin Spice Cashews<\/strong> (Walnuts & Almonds too) Jello Instant Pudding and Pie Filling Hershey Kisses\/Toll House Chips<\/strong> Pumpkin Sparkling Spiced Cider<\/strong>
\nPumpkin Pasta Sauce<\/a><\/strong>
\nMy first thought was, \u201cThis is just wrong.\u201d But I realized that pumpkin is really just a relative of the squash family, so maybe it wouldn\u2019t be so bad. I got gutsy one night for dinner and served angel hair pasta tossed with the pumpkin sauce. I had added a few tablespoons of half-n-half and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Again, not a huge hit, but it was eaten. I personally liked it and could probably tweak the dish and add some ingredients to create a bit more pizzazz. I’ll look for it again next year.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>People have been adding flavorings to nuts for a long time, so this one wasn\u2019t really a stretch, but I had to try them anyway. I\u2019m a purest and would prefer a handful of salted, roasted cashews to this version. They were coated in the spice seasoning and they overwhelmed the nuts themselves. Not a bad flavor, but I didn\u2019t feel like I was eating cashews. My husband apparently disagreed. The company makes them in walnut and almond varieties as well.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong>
\nA short-cut to pudding pumpkin pie? I think that\u2019s the idea. But it doesn\u2019t have the depth of pumpkin flavor necessary to make it a great substitute. Obviously, the vanilla pudding with real pumpkin pulp recipe has a more authentic taste. Interesting to try, but I won\u2019t buy this flavor again.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>You should never mess with chocolate. Or anything closely representing chocolate. Granted, these chocolate companies have successfully created cr\u00e8me de menthe, cherry, caramel and a ton of other flavors. In fact, I didn\u2019t know (once again) that Hershey\u2019s had manufactured so many varieties. Just for fun, check out this link<\/a> to see a varietal collection of 57 kisses collected by one person.
\nTrying these pumpkin spice candy variations was not so fun. Basically, this is white chocolate coated in orange something. The flavor was way too artificial. \u201cThat might just be the worst piece of candy I\u2019ve ever tasted!\u201d exclaimed one guinea pig. Not popular.
\nThe Tollhouse chips were no better. We opened the bag. Someone said, \u201cIt smells like the flower section of a Michael’s Craft store.\u201d You know – that overwhelming spice scent emanating from the cinnamon brooms in the lobby that choke you on the way in. We ventured a small taste, and then, \u201cand it tastes like candy corn on pumpkin steroids.\u201d And if that\u2019s what I wanted, I’d just buy:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nI have been a huge cider fan most of my life. Lately, I\u2019ve become a big hard cider fan. This cider was \u2013 shall I say \u201ccomplex.\u201d The apple and pumpkin <\/a>spice flavors were present and the cider had a very nice sparkling effervescence. It left a weird tingly feeling on my tongue, but overall \u2013 interesting. I’d probably still opt for the hard cider or a pumpkin ale, although it may be fun to try warmed.
\nAnd for a final seasonal product \u2013 a local barbershop decided to get in on the craze to bring in customers. Check out the sidewalk sign:<\/p>\n