Earthbound Farms Organic Butternut Squash is a harvest season favorite. Delicious as a simple side, is excellent in so many recipes and saves you holiday prep time. You can find bags in our freezer section

Farmer's Market Organic Pumpkin Puree is our go-to when we want a quick can of pumpkin for baking and savory dishes. This rich, smooth puree is packed with fresh flavor.

Stonewall Kitchen Maple Pumpkin Butter is a decadently rich spread that delivers the essence of fall with a sweet mixture of maple and pumpkin. It's great on its own or used as an ingredient in recipes.

Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Pumpkin Cinnamon Granola combines pumpkin seeds and cinnamon with ancient grains and superfood seeds for a fall-festive flavor. These salty-sweet clusters have a crunchy texture and irresistible taste.

Noosa Pumpkin Yoghurt does a spin on traditional pumpkin pie makes us thing of the crisp days of fall. This seasonal noosa has warm, rich spices and pumpkin puree.

Stonewall Kitchen Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce is one of our favorite ways to serve pasta. This savory and creamy squash sauce has the delightful delicate flavor of butternut, enhanced with the sweet taste of apples and brown sugar. Top your favorite ravioli, pasta or enjoy it as a dip for bread. It's a simple and so delicious.

Pasta Prima Organic Butternut Squash Ravioli is made with a tender pasta dough surrounding butternut squash, sweet potatoes, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese.

Piedmont Grocery's Own Pumpkin Bisque Soup can be found in our deli department—just heat and serve. Delicious pumpkin flavor with a hint of green apple, maple syrup and nutmeg. This would be a great Thanksgiving appetizer.

Taste of Denmark Pumpkin Bread is one of our absolute favorites! Taste of Denmark is a wonderful, cooperative bakery located nearby in Oakland. Boasting of more than 80 years of collective bakery experience, they are experts in creating a delicious baked goods.

New Bread Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake uses only organic, high quality ingredients that make for a delicious GF pumpkin bread.

Enjoy the warm fall flavors of pumpkin pie in your meringues. These fat free, dairy free and gluten free meringues can be dunked in your coffee or savored after dinner.

Long Grove Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Caramels are dusted with pumpkin pie spice and make a wonderful hostess gift or addition to your Thanksgiving dessert selection.

If you are looking for sides to supplement your Thanksgiving menu—or perhaps to bring to a Thanksgiving feast, we are making it easy this year. Beginning next week, our entire selection of house-made Thanksgiving sides will be available, pre-packaged, from our Deli Department. They are grab & go, heat & eat, and the perfect addition to your table!

Check out our Holiday Catering Menu to see the list of delicious, house-made Thanksgiving sides as well as holiday roasts.

If you are looking for a pie, we will have a great selection of pies from our favorite bakeries: Beckmann's, Upper Crust, and Taste of Denmark. We also have frozen pie shells if you want to take a shortcut on making your own.

Next week, we will also have turkey dinner available from the hot bar as well and individual traditional Thanksgiving meal kits in the grab & go section.

You can tell the holidays are around the corner, not because of the conflicting Christmas and Thanksgiving decorations, but because fresh cranberries have arrived in the produce aisle.

Cranberry sauce, an indispensable item on traditional Thanksgiving menus, is delicious and quick to make from fresh berries. But the cranberry doesn’t stop at sauces. They pop up in all sorts of sweet and savory dishes. For example, you can toss them in almost any apple recipe to give it a holiday flair.

Fresh cranberries will disappear in the new year. So put a couple of bags in the freezer to extend the season. They will store for up to a year, and there is no need to thaw them before use.

From our blog, The Kitchen Table

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word Thanksgiving? If I had to guess, most people would say a turkey (followed very quickly by pie). It would make sense. Thanksgiving is the one holiday where everyone eats the same stuff…right?

Yes, turkey is what’s expected for your Thanksgiving feast. But, what if you don’t like turkey? I have a number of friends who are not fans of the majestic bird—either because of the flavor or the fact that it can dry out and feel like you’re eating sawdust. Plenty more can’t fit one in their oven. Most of those people choose to go with something different like a beautiful prime rib or a spiral cut ham. Either of these will please a crowd and screams of celebration.

That being said, presentation is everything. There is something about the drama of bringing a turkey or other roast to the table to carve that reminds you that this is not your typical Thursday dinner. I have thought about this a lot and I have always felt disappointment on behalf of vegetarians that they don’t always get to feel that excitement. Now, not being a vegetarian myself, I could be totally off the mark here. And, there are any number of ways to make an entrance with a vegetarian entrée. I would love to hear what those options might be.

In the meantime, I think this recipe for a Stuffed Cinderella Pumpkin would fit that bill and make a fantastic entrance while still having all the drama and ceremony of a traditional carving.

If you have seen the cover of the November issue of Food & Wine you know what I am talking about. This Greens and Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin is gorgeous and would even work well as a fantastic side if you use a smaller pumpkin….

We have extended our hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 23rd and 24th—we will be open from 8 AM to 8 PM so everyone will have time to shop.

We close the store on Thanksgiving so that our employees can celebrate the holiday with loved ones. Please be certain to stop by and gather everything you need to prepare your holiday celebration!

We re-open on Friday, November 26th for our regular hours, from 9 AM to 8 PM.

And, don’t forget our Thanksgiving Catering Menu for additional sides, meal, and potluck contributions.

Call (510) 653-8181 to place your order

We hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!

There you sit. You have your turkey and gravy. You have your stuffing and your mountain of mashed potatoes. The cranberry sauce sings its siren song to you from the middle of the table. Your mouth is watering in anticipation of the feeding frenzy that is about to commence. (Step aside Joey Chestnut.)

The little voice inside your head reminds you to save room for dessert. But, you know that dessert consists mainly of pies. You are not really a fan of pumpkin pie or any kind of pie. The accompanying vanilla ice cream is always good but lacks a certain wow factor. What do you do? Leave room for the ice cream or go big on the yams?

To me, the Thanksgiving feast isn’t complete unless there is a pecan pie at the end of it. Some have the same intense feelings towards pumpkin pie. For my dad, it’s a mince pie. One of my relatives, though, is the ice cream guy. The reason? He just doesn’t like pie. Any pie. (I know. Freak of nature.) It got me thinking about what would be an appropriate cake for Thanksgiving.

My daughter suggested a carrot cake which makes a lot of sense given the spices. But, she was adamant that there be no raisins. (There is a serious raisin aversion amongst my children). I figured anything harvest-y would work well. A spicy cake with hazelnut frosting is very autumnal, or even this Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting would be lovely.

But, what about getting away from the flavors of pumpkin and other pies? You could just go crazy with a double chocolate cake. You can never go wrong with a chocolate cake. This Mocha Pound Cake recipe works particularly well for a couple of reasons. It is a bundt cake which makes it easy especially when oven space is at a premium. And, it contains coffee which is always necessary to battle the snoozies after you have stuffed yourself…

These turkeys go fast, so make certain to call advance! It's your last chance to order your Thanksgiving Turkey! And, check out our Thanksgiving Catering Menu for other meats, sides, and complete feasts.

Pumpkin is a versatile and healthy option for every meal of the day. DeeDee Stovel's creative recipes highlight the preparation techniques and many forms – including raw, roasted, canned, and steamed.

From Currant-Pumpkin-Oat Scones to Chicken-Pumpkin Tacos, Pumpkin-Filled Ravioli with Fried Sage, Ginger-Pumpkin Ice Cream, and of course (seven!) pies, this comprehensive cookbook reminds us that the iconic symbol of fall is so much more than jack-o’-lantern material.

These 139 recipes offer diverse and delicious options for enjoying pumpkin and other winter squash, such as butternut, acorn, and kabocha, year-round. With recipes for many forms of pumpkin, including both fresh and canned pumpkin puree, and inspired by world cuisines, the versatility of this superfood shines through in snacks, drinks, salads, soups, main dishes, and desserts.

DeeDee Stovel is the author of numerous cookbooks, including the bestseller Picnic. A caterer, longtime teacher of cooking and nutrition, and passionate advocate of fresh, homemade food, she lives in Northern California.

We all know that Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider is great for celebrations. That's why it practically flies off our shelves around the holidays.

Martinelli’s uses a blend of United States-grown, fresh apples of the finest varieties—including the flavorful Newtown Pippin. These help to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness with no concentrates or chemical additives.

And, did you know Martinelli's juice is made locally? Since 1868, S. Martinelli & Co has been producing delicious apple juice and sparkling ciders. They are located in Watsonville, just inland from the Monterey Bay. And, they have won more than fifty gold medals for excellence at state, national, and international expositions.

Or email piedmontgdeli@yahoo.com

This Ginger Bourbon Punch isn’t strictly bourbon-driven. There’s a hit of dark rum, the warmth of ginger, and a sweet citrusy mix to soften the flavors. And, it makes for a great cocktail at any holiday gathering.

Mix up a batch for Thanksgiving!

Our experts in our wine and cheese department have come up with three Thanksgiving feast wine recommendations for Pinot Noir, the iconic Thanksgiving wine. This will make your wine selection that much easier. Each wine is delicious!

Aromas of red and dark cherry, dried raspberry, and rhubarb pie are joined by subtle touches of spice and toasty oak. The palate is full-bodied with silky tannins, soft round mouthfeel, excellent acid balance, and notes of earthiness on a long lingering finish.

A beautifully balanced wine. This elegant wine overflows with bright strawberry and floral with hints of toasted oak aromas and beautifully ripe pure cherry and raspberry flavors along with bergamot tea that adds complexity and interest. The silky-smooth texture keeps you wanting more.

Medium ruby, this Pinot Noir is effortless yet weighty. It opens with inviting scents of shaved nutmeg, cinnamon stick, warm cranberry sauce, rhubarb, and ripe raspberries with accents of warm earth, blackberries, and autumn leaves. The palate is medium-bodied and silky with grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on an earthy note.

So, come to the store and check out our Thanksgiving Feast Wine Recommendations. And, if you have any questions, our Wine and Spirits department will be happy to help you.

As a kid, I always used to laugh at my mother's and grandmother’s attempts at adding more veggies to the thanksgiving table. I mean, let’s be real. I was only there for the bird and the carbs. You can keep your green beans, thanks. The older I have gotten though, the more I look forward to something to help digest the potato and stuffing carb bomb.

The green beans are still an important part of our celebration. But, in recent years we’ve included various salads as well, such as this recipe for Persimmon, Asian Pear, and Toasted Almond Salad.

Now, I am not the biggest salad person. Some people, like my sister, have salads with everything. That is not me. I kinda have to be in the mood for a salad. And, even then, using the word salad might be a bit of a stretch. I like additions to my salads. Chances are if I have made a salad, it is not just a bowl of greens. There will be a random mix of things like pieces of various fruits, cheese, nuts (usually spiced or candied), or cut-up cooked meats like chicken or even better, bacon.

On a recent trip to Oregon, while y’all were dealing with the “bomb cyclone” and 50 feet of rain, I had the opportunity to visit Powell’s, my favorite bookstore. If you have never been to Powell’s bookstore in Portland you are missing out. If you have, well then, you know. I could spend days in there and still want more. On this trip, I found a Portland Farmers Market cookbook that I have been working my way through since I returned.

Amongst the pages of beautiful Pacific Northwest offerings, I found this recipe for Fall Salad with Delicata Squash, Caramelized Apples, and Bacon. It would be the perfect addition as something green and a bit different for your Thanksgiving table.

This week's staff pick is a list of products that we find essential for putting together the perfect Thanksgiving feast. So, add them to your shopping list to be certain you have what you need on hand while prepping for Thanksgiving dinner.

Is what we reach for when we want the best results. Used by top chefs around the country, Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is authentic kosher salt. It’s chosen by chefs for its simplicity, purity, and coarse texture. Unlike other kosher salts, Diamond Crystal is coarse enough to pick up and fragile enough to crush between your fingers for perfect seasoning.

King Arthur Flour is consistent and dependable…it's simply the best! And, we couldn't get through the holidays without it. At King Arthur Flour they pay close attention to detail, consistency in milling, and set rigorous standards for their wheat. What does this mean for you? The best flavor, and dependable results in your baking.

Swanson Chicken Stock is a favorite of chefs. Many of us agree that it is second-best only to making your own stock. It is a full-bodied cooking base with a rich and savory roasted-chicken favor. Because they have added a limited amount of seasoning, it is the perfect foundation for flavor in any dish because you control the flavor. Swanson makes their Chicken Stock with only the highest quality meat and farm-grown vegetables.

The Klein Family has been growing crops in San Joaquin Valley for four generations. And, they pride themselves in packaging the highest-quality nuts available—without preservatives. Their Fancy, Junior Mammoth pecans are large in size and top-grade. They are the best pecan we know of for baking that quintessential pecan pie!

We all know that Martinelli‘s Sparkling Apple Cider is great for celebrations. That’s why it practically flies off our shelves around the holidays. Pick up a few flavors for your next celebratory meal. We carry the Original, Blush, Apple-Pomegranate, Apple-Grape, and Apple-Cranberry Sparkling Ciders.

Beckmann’s stuffing has arrived at the store! We have their Unseasoned, Traditional Butter & Herb Seasoned, and Southern Style Cornbread.

Clover has been doing it right for three generations. We can find ourselves just reaching for their products without giving it a second thought because we know they are consistently delicious. We have both their unsalted and salted butter for your holiday dishes.

You can tell the holidays are around the corner because fresh cranberries have arrived in the produce aisle. Cranberry sauce, an indispensable item on traditional Thanksgiving menus, is delicious and quick to make from fresh berries. But the cranberry doesn’t stop at sauces. They pop up in all sorts of sweet and savory dishes.

And, don't forget to pick up a bale of 100% Cotton Twine and some 100% Cotton Natural Cheesecloth to help you with food preparation for the holidays! Future you will thank yourself.

It can feel wonderful to put aside contemporary holiday stress, suspend disbelief, and step into Christmas Past. Here are a few local holiday productions where you can visit a simpler time.

Admission is limited for some programs. So, you may want to

get a jump and purchase tickets in advance

A Victorian-style holiday! Visit the beautifully decorated Patterson House, sing Christmas carols, and visit Father Christmas. Enjoy live musical performances and much more.

San Francisco Ballet

Step into the reverie of little Clara in this unforgettable holiday tale and enter a magical wonderland of toy soldiers, a blizzard of snowflakes, and a kaleidoscope of more than 150 dancers. Battle the Mouse King and of course, dance through the land of the Sugarplum Fairy.

A Drive-Through Victorian Holiday Party

Bring friends and family for a ride through this newly envisioned outdoor Grand Concourse in the comfort of your own vehicle. Enjoy a curated selection of delicious foods, delightful entertainments, and handmade crafts of the Fair. There is also a Dickens At Home option and an online store.

Dive into the Age of Sail, blending 19th Century London with folklore and traditions from the Caribbean and Gullah Islands in an odyssey across the Atlantic. From sea chanties, mermaids, and Christmas carols to Jonkonnu and Papa Bois, we'll celebrate the Winter Solstice through the eyes of Joseph Johnson, a man who lived his life in all these traditions. You can purchase tickets to attend in person or stream online.

For the first time in its 44-year history, the Bay Area’s favorite holiday tradition comes to life as a fantastical immersive audio event—A Christmas Carol: On Air.

Reimagined as a spatially-designed radio play for our virtual era, and adapted from the critically-acclaimed stage production seen by over half a million theatergoers, A Christmas Carol: On Air invites you and your household to gather together to take in this timeless story of optimism and humbugs, memories and redemptions, spooky presents and hopeful futures.

They are welcoming us back with new exhibitions, renovations, and programs in a COVID-safe environment. All museum galleries, Courtyard, Planetarium, and Observatory will reopen at a reduced capacity.

Tickets will be timed, so all guests, including members, are highly encouraged to reserve advance tickets online.

The Chabot Space and Science Center is located at 10000 Skyline Boulevard in Oakland, California.

Nothing says fall like the arrival of winter squash and pumpkins in our store. And, the aroma of squash roasting in the oven is pure heaven. We have compiled a list for you of some of our favorite winter squash and pumpkin recipe from our archives.

This is part of our wonderful Halloween tradition of Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Pumpkin Soup. It’s a favorite no matter who’s knocking on the door—and there’s no better way to get ready for Trick or Treating.

By far a most favorite thing to do with one of these beautiful pumpkins is to stuff it full of bread and cheese and heavy cream and bake it. No, it’s not something you should eat every day, but it is a super yummy way to use the beautiful pumpkins you see appearing in the store and at the farmer’s markets for something other than decoration.

An all-time top autumn dish. We prefer to use pecans rather than pumpkin seeds to make it taste more like fall.

This curry recipe is heavy on the pumpkin. Not just a little thrown in, here’s some big-time pumpkin flavor. It’s all about the orange, baby.

This recipe is a great representation of the flavors of the season. If you do not have a pasta machine it is just as easy to roll it out with a rolling pin.

This is a typical Italian fall dish: one you will see often grace our autumn table. It’s easy to make, and oh so satisfying.

Baked Farro, Bacon, and Butternut Squash

In this recipe, the tender, nutty farro is accented by the sweetness of squash, fresh herbs, and some ever-delicious crispy bacon. Fresh-grated Parmesan completes the flavors.

Morocco loves their pumpkins and squashes. If you find yourself with a leftover Cinderella pumpkin from Thanksgiving and just can’t bring yourself to make a pie, give this recipe a try for a little something different.

Our recipe for Braised Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries is simple—but looks so festive on a platter. And, the best part is you put the ingredients in the crockpot and don’t have to think about it until you’re ready to eat.

Caramelized Butternut Squash

Adapted from an Ina Gartner recipe, this simple recipe would make a welcome Thanksgiving side.

If you want to make a truly fabulous dessert, it is well worth the extra steps to make this one. It starts with baking your own pumpkin bread for optimal freshness. And, that is a step you could do a day in advance.

Growing up Amy's mother always made the pumpkin pie. But, it wasn’t your usual pumpkin pie. Pumpkin Chiffon is basically a lighter fluffier version. And, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without it.

Whoopie Pies are an East Coast thing. The traditional version features a chocolatey cakey cookie that is filled with vanilla-flavored cream. Our recipe has pumpkin cakes with a cream cheese filling. Anything with cream cheese filling is a winner.

The turmeric gives these muffins a deep orange color. Browning the butter beforehand provides a vaguely nutty, deeply caramelized flavor that makes for a delicious muffin.

Instead of being iced, these nicely spicy pumpkin muffins have a sweetened cream cheese center that bakes right along with the muffin. Moist, delicious, and attractive!

These are for lovers of all things pumpkin-spice. And, our cream cheese frosting makes these scones crazy-decadent.

From our blog, The Butcher's Block

If one item could embody all that is Thanksgiving, it would be a turkey. But, not everyone likes turkey. Whether it’s because of flavor, texture, or even cost, a turkey aversion can make planning the big meal a challenge.

Good news! There are a number of possible turkey alternatives for Thanksgiving.

We have an excellent list of festive roasts on this blog post. And, a few are highlighted below.

How about stuffing a pumpkin? We have a couple of possible recipes for you to try guaranteed to make an impressive entrance. Try our recipe for Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good or our Stuffed Cinderella Pumpkin recipe. Or try this Mushroom Wellington for a bit of elegance.

As we are heading into cooler weather, there is nothing better than the big flavors of cooked-all-day taste in your favorite meals. That’s where Better Than Bouillon comes in. It is a paste, a base, a flavor enhancer, a kitchen shortcut, and a secret seasoning. This is bouillon in a jar you can scoop just the right amount to add flavor to your cooking.

Better Than Boullion uses only premium ingredients across a full range of bases, so you can get creative with soups, pasta, rice, meats, and vegetables. They are perfect for soups, sauces, gravies, and casseroles or to cook vegetables, rice, or pasta with more flavor.

Here are the products we are currently carrying in the store:

Monday through Saturday from

9 AM to 8 PM & Sunday from

9 AM to 7 PM.

4038 Piedmont Avenue

Oakland, CA 94611

(510) 653-8181

Tahini Noodles with Green Beans and Carrots

The Cocktail Post