Pumpkin Recipes From Around the Worl It’s that time of year again! Time to head down to the b*asement, dig through all the boxes, haul out the Thanksgiving decorations while putting away the Halloween decor of flying witches and scarecrows. You’re going to be hungry after all that holiday labor, and somehow, roasted pumpkin seeds, while delicious, don’t really make a meal.We don’t want you to go hungry, so we’ve compiled some of the best international pumpkin recipes for you to try while you prepare for the holiday season ahead. Why not try them now, then select your favorites to serve at Thanksgiving? 1. Japanese Pumpkin Salad This hearty salad employs crunchy chestnuts and a super-flavorful dressing composed of ginger, sesame and soy sauce. Serve along with beef teriyaki skewers and braised greens for a complete meal:http://tippinthescales.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/international-pumpkin-recipes-1/ 2. Austrian Pumpkin Goulash This goulash recipe comes from an Austrian spice company and is flavored with the traditional flavors of paprika, dill, caraway and vinegar. Along with rice or buttered noodles, this could be a main entrée:http://www.kotanyi.com/int/Recipes/Vegetarian/Pumpkin-goulash 3. Haitian Pumpkin Soup Rich with French influences of thyme, nutmeg and garlic, this filling soup is a meal in itself. Serve with crusty French bread and a light mixed-green salad:http://www.pumpkinsoup.org/Pumpkin-Soup-Recipe/international-pumpkin-soup-recipes/hatian-pumpkin-soup-recipe.php 4. Moroccan Pumpkin Soup Another twist on pumpkin soup comes from Morocco and utilizes chickpeas in addition to pumpkin, making it suitable as a main dish. Serve with a side of fresh-baked pita bread and hummus dip:http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/soupsandappetizers/r/Moroccan-Pumpkin-And-Chickpea-Soup-Recipe.htm 5. Italian Pumpkin Ravioli This is a rich, filling, savory dish from Italian chef Francesco Antonucci. Nothing warms you up like authentic Italian cuisine. And, when you make this, you can invite your vegetarian friends over for a fantastic dinner. Serve with broccoli rabe and garlic bread.http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Pumpkin-Ravioli 6. Indian Pumpkin Curry If you like spicy food, you’ll love this multi-flavored dish rich with cumin, turmeric, garlic, mango and more. Serve with rice, naan and dal.http://indianfood.about.com/od/vegetarianrecipes/r/kadoosubji.htm 7. South African Pumpkin Fritters No pumpkin menu would be complete without dessert, so give these sweet fritters a whirl. If you like cinnamon, you’re in for a real treat. These are almost like pumpkin pies in the form of a heavy donut. Serve with ice cold milk or a hot cup of coffee.http://www.rainbowcooking.co.nz/recipes/pumpkin-fritters 8. Traditional Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Roasting pumpkin seeds needn’t be complicated. You can go the traditional route and simply toss in butter and sprinkle them with sea salt before cooking, or venture out and get a little fancy and creative with these five recipes from seriouseats.com:http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/10/roasted-pumpkin-seeds-spicy-sweet-salty-recipes.html