Edina's Best Fall Dishes

Photo: Tate Carlson

Cocina del Barrio's squash tamale

We couldn’t resist. We love pumpkin and squash so much we just had to dedicate an entire column to these fruits of the fall harvest. With Thanksgiving close at hand, it’s just about time to think about all the applications that might round out the platters on the table for the big T-Day meal, but in the meantime, these cafes and restaurants offer an early taste, no preparation required.

Roasted Winter Vegetable Salad

Seven Stars Coffee House

You’ll find squash and pumpkin being applied in all sorts of ways at Seven Stars Coffee House, but one of our favorites is the winter salad ($6.75), loaded with roasted vegetables like butternut squash, red onion, sliced potatoes, tri-colored bell peppers, portobellos and tomatoes. It’s served on a bed of field greens, tossed in a light vinaigrette dressing. If it’s more of a soup day, the café does many takes on a pumpkin or squash soup, including butternut squash, spinach and white bean soup, or pumpkin soup with cranberries. In the pastry department, pumpkin finds its way into everything from cookies (with craisins, $1.25 each) to scones ($2.25 each) to the substantial pumpkin loaves ($1.50/slice or $12/loaf).

7015 Amundson Ave.; 952.345.3380

Hours: 6:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Sat. Closed Sun.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Edina Grill

One of the most requested menu items at Edina Grill is the pumpkin pancakes. They only run on the menu in October and November, and that’s a long time to wait in between seasons! Be sure to get in and try them while you can. This year you’ll find them either with praline sauce and caramel apples, or with poached pears, candied nuts and cinnamon ricotta, served with a side of breakfast meat ($11).

5028 France Ave. S.; 952.927.7933

Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.

Butternut Squash Soup

Beaujo’s

Chef Mark Campbell loves to incorporate seasonal ingredients into his chef’s specials, and the soup du jour is one place the creamy texture of squash fits right in. It could be chipotle butternut squash soup, curried squash soup, or squash and orange soup with fresh oranges…is your mouth watering yet? The soups are $4.25 for a cup or $5.50 for a bowl, and are served with a French baguette. Call the restaurant to find out what today’s soup is, or follow the restaurant on Facebook or Twitter.

4950 France Avenue S.; 952.922.8974

Hours: 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–12 a.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sun.

Squash Tamale

Cocina del Barrio

Lovable by nature, tamales only get better with squash. At Cocina del Barrio, red curry squash is mixed in with the masa to make the squash tamale ($5.50), which is filled with black beans, making it a vegetarian option. It’s garnished with pumpkin seed and a chili de arbol salsa, made with the slightly smoky but still mellow dried arbol chili. For dessert, it’s a spiced pumpkin cake ($6), with house made cajeta (or goat’s milk caramel) ice cream. It’s topped with a pumpkin seed brittle. Chef Bill Fairbanks notes that the kitchen at Barrio is using more locally produced, seasonal items than ever.

5036 France Ave. S.; 952.920.1860

Hours: 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Fri.–Sat., 12 p.m.–1 a.m. Sun.

Share this Article

• 
• 
• 
• 
•