Seattle in Season

The late Jonathan Raban wrote, “Seattle is the only major city in the world that people move to in order to get closer to nature.” To most of us, that kindles thoughts of dry summers and the mountains, islands, and golden sunsets. But, as the story goes, the Denny party, who landed at Alki in 1851, cried at the November rainstorm that greeted them. Flash forward 174 years: Seattle is a world-class city filled with great food, culture, commerce, and people from across the world—and still the November rain humbles us.

But our green and wet natural world nurtures our souls just as much as those long days on the far side of our orbit around the sun. Break free from winter hibernation tendencies and wander the stalls of the farmers market, and you’ll find tables, recently exuberant with summer’s abundance, now brimming with autumn mushrooms and bright piles of squash.

If your strategy for the long November evenings is anything like ours, quality comfort food is part of the equation. Consider one of our latest seasonal pizzas and, weather be damned, make the most of life.

Which brings us to chanterelles. They wait for fall rain, then emerge in golden splendor from the mossy forest floor. Foraged and Found Edibles knows where to look and brings them to us by the basket. Meaty and earthy, lightly peppery and almost fruity, they shine on our Chanterelle Prosciutto Primo pizza, accompanied by delicate prosciutto and creamy mozzarella on a roasted garlic oil base.

Delicata squash also caught the eye of our food team. Roasted, it’s one of our favorite fall flavors. Its naturally sweet, nutty flesh turns rich and creamy in the oven, a fine counterpoint to the gentle bitterness of shredded Brussels sprouts. Our Autumn Harvest pizza layers roasted squash and Brussels sprouts with creamy mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and roasted garlic oil seasoned with red pepper flakes.

For dessert, we have Molly Moon's Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream. Made with pumpkins from Stahlbush Farms — roasted, puréed, and spiced with ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and clove — this fan favorite gets its earthy sweetness and complexity from the pumpkin itself. If you think you’re over pumpkin spice, a scoop of this may change your mind.