Halloween is right around the corner and it's time to stock up on all the spooky snacks you can! As we all know, no grocery store does autumn quite like Trader Joe's does. From Harvest Blend Herbal Tea to Pumpkin-Spiced Almond Milk, and even Pumpkin Cheesecake, they've got it all. To save you time that could be used getting your costume together and putting up haunting decorations, I've compiled a list of the top ten Halloween treats (not tricks) that you have to try this season. But beware, there's going to be an overwhelming amount of pumpkin.
1. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Now, I'm not the biggest fan of butternut squash, so I was pretty hesitant to give this a shot. But, I'm so glad I did because now it's one of my favorites. The rigatoni pasta is mixed with butternut squash puree and a blend of three cheeses. The gooey cheeses blend well with the puree and gives the pasta just the right amount of flavor. The little dash of nutmeg and sage in it is the icing on the cake. If you're a fan of cheesy, delicious, quick mac and cheeses, you need to pick this up on your next grocery trip.
2. Harvest Blend Herbal Tea
I've always been a big tea enthusiast and I was super excited to see a tea that contains so many autumnal flavors. This tea is a blend of hibiscus, chamomile, ginger, apple, cinnamon, and orange peel. I definitely loved the scent most of all. If I could buy this tea as a candle, I would own at least ten. The fruity tastes of the apple and orange hit you when you take a sip, but you taste more of the cinnamon and ginger once you've swallowed. I personally recommend leaving the tea bag in for 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you want it. I left the tea bag in for 30 minutes by accident and it was way too strong for me to drink.
3. Pumpkin Butter
This is definitely a customer favorite at Trader Joe's. Everyone was always recommending this to me, so I decided it was time to finally give it a shot. One of the great things about this butter is that it's extremely versatile. You can use it as pastry filling, as chicken glaze, on toast, or even on ice cream. I chose to mix it up with some cream cheese and spread it on my morning bagel. I made my own pumpkin spice spread and it was completely delicious. I've figured out what I'll be having for breakfast every day.
4. Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cups
If you can't make it to Starbucks every morning to grab a PSL, then I suggest picking up a box of these and making your own at home. I can't stand plain, black coffee, so I added a splash of International Delight Hazelnut Creamer. The mix of the hazelnut and the allspice of the coffee made a wonderful flavor. It had just the right amount of spicy flavor, but it wasn't too overwhelmingly sweet, like some pumpkin coffees can be. I'd say go for these if you're looking to add a tiny bit of autumnal bliss to your morning coffee.
5. Pumpkin Biscotti
I'm always down for a good biscotto, so I know I had to grab these. By the way, I didn't make a spelling error just now. The word "biscotti" is actually plural and the word "biscotto" is singular. Now that that's cleared up, I have to say that this was one of my favorites. It reminds me slightly of gingerbread, but with a stronger cinnamon flavor. To soften them up a bit, I dipped them in some milk. Serve these with some coffee or tea and you've got yourself a perfect snack.
6. Pumpkin Spice Almond Beverage
I wasn't quite sure how I would feel about this product. It definitely wasn't love at first sip. But, I really started to like it when I added a splash of it to my coffee. It added a sweet, cinnamon flavor that wasn't too strong. I imagine it could be a good substitute normal milk, but I think I'll stick to using it in my morning coffee. It was a little thicker than other almond milks. However, I think that makes it the perfect coffee creamer.
7. Organic Hot Cocoa Toaster Pastries
Now, I understand that this product sounds more Christmassy than autumnal. But, picture this: you're taking a walk on a brisk afternoon, with a cool breeze brushing against your face. You feel cozy, yet chilly, and you want nothing more than to wrap your hands around a warm mug of cocoa. Whenever that cozy feeling hits, just pop these pastries in the toaster. You'll feel like you just pulled up a seat in front of a warm fire. Autumn is the season for warmth and comfort, and nothing says that quite like hot cocoa.
8. Fall Harvest Salsa
I know what you're all thinking right now. It seems impossible that spicy salsa and sweet apples could go well together. But surprisingly, the combo works. The blend of fruits actually keeps the salsa from tasting too overly spicy. It's the perfect salsa to serve at your Halloween party if you're not sure who likes hot and who prefers a milder taste. It's not just for dipping either. Feel free to use it on tacos, as a marinade for your beef, or even on top of scrambled eggs!
9. Pumpkin Cheesecake
I'll admit, it's not the most attractive looking dessert. But, it is definitely one of the tastiest! As a huge cheesecake lover, I couldn't wait to finally try this and it was just as amazing as expected. It had the perfect, creamy texture of traditional cheesecake with a crispy, graham cracker crust. But, it had the smooth, spicy taste of pumpkin, making it more of a cheesy pumpkin pie. I personally recommend picking up one of these for Thanksgiving dessert or for just snacking on in your free time.
10. Fall Zucchette Pasta and Autumnal Harvest Sauce
I saved this dish for an end-of-the-week dinner. I cooked it for my suitemates and the dish got good reviews all around. I have to say, I loved the pasta sauce the most. It had a tomato soup taste, but with a little twinge of sweetness that came from the butternut squash and carrot. It was extremely rich and comforting. I felt like I was eating a home cooked meal, not a dish I cooked in a dorm room kitchen. For the pasta, the shape is the main novelty. It is shaped like little pumpkins and is adorably festive. But, I recommend cooking the pasta for a few minutes longer than the package says, unless you like your noodles molto al dente.