What’s October without pumpkins, right? As fun as it is to pick these bright orange mounds straight from the patch and carve them into jack-o’-lanterns, it is even more exciting to cook with them. Their texture is similar to that of a butternut squash and, when roasted, they are incredibly soft and sweet. Check out our fresh pumpkin-packed menu below for creative and traditional ways to approach this classic fall feature.

Food Network Magazine puts a spin on traditional toasted Pumpkin Seeds (pictured above). Add chipotle chili powder and cumin for barbecue-flavored flair, cinnamon and sugar for a sweet variety and various ethnic spices for Indian, Spanish and Italian flavors. These healthy seeds are perfect sprinkled atop salads or eaten as a quick midday snack.

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With a silky-smooth center and buttery, crumbly crust, pumpkin cheesecake is a go-to autumnal dessert that celebrates the warm, aromatic spices of the season. Filled with classic fall flavors and mouth-watering decadence, our top five pumpkin cheesecake recipes below are simple to prepare and sure to please every sweet tooth.

5. Emeril’s Pumpkin Cheesecake — For added crunch, Emeril adds crushed pecans to his traditional graham cracker crust and sprinkles sugared pumpkin seeds atop the cake before serving.

4. Pumpkin Cheesecake Tarts with Gingersnap Crust — Present each guest with his or her own easy-to-make tart for quick, no-stress serving.

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