Pumpkin, Chocolate, or Fruit?

We’re almost at the end of October, and I’m not entirely sure where the month went. I remember welcoming it. I remember our anniversary. Now Halloween is days away and Thanksgiving plans are starting to appear in conversations. It feels like the calendar turned several pages when I wasn’t looking. This week has given us two food holidays worth discussing. Monday was National Pumpkin Day and today is National Chocolate Day. Rather than choose between them, I think we should make the debate even more complicated: pumpkin, chocolate, or fruit pie?

The chocolate crowd is usually quick to answer. Give them something rich, and they’re happy. Pumpkin has people who wait for this part of the year and are ready to defend their choice. Fruit pie fans can make a good case for something bright after a meal, especially when lilikoi gets involved. The most interesting people are the ones who say, “It depends.” Depends on what? The weather? The meal? Who else is at the table? What you had for lunch? I want the whole explanation. As someone who spends a lot of time around pie, I can confirm that “it depends” is sometimes the most honest answer.

While we’re talking about food, have you thought about Halloween dinner? It is easy to spend all your time on costumes, plans, and candy, then realize everyone needs a meal before they go anywhere. If that sounds like your house, let a pot pie do some of the work. It’s much nicer to begin the evening fed than to sort out dinner when everyone is tired. The final days of October have me thinking about more than holidays, too. For some of our neighbors, the hurricane is beginning to feel further away. For others, it’s still present every time they walk into a room that needs repair or look at another task on their list. As you make your weekend plans, consider checking in with someone you haven’t spoken to recently. You don’t need a perfect thing to say. Asking how they’re doing is a good start.

Now I’m returning to the question we can actually have some fun with. If I put pumpkin, chocolate, and fruit pies in front of you, which one gets the first slice cut? If fruit is your answer, you have to name the flavor. And yes, you’re allowed to tell us you’d take more than one home.