Hey folks, we’re aiming to stretch just a little longer before Trader Joe’s shelves fully switch over to autumn goods. Right now, though, the official start of fall hasn’t arrived, and we’re soaking up every last bit of summer sunshine — which shows up clearly in our cart choices. We’re still riding the summer mood and sticking to a diet largely free of pumpkin-spice flavors, and we wanted to illustrate what that looks like while browsing at Trader Joe’s, the grocery store that’s often the fall season’s frontrunner. Below are the most intriguing finds we discovered on our latest Trader Joe’s trek and our thoughts on each.
- Pumpkin Butter
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Yes, we’ll tackle the lone pumpkin-spice item up front. Autumn is nearly here, and once the 22nd arrives, we’re all in. We expect our shelves to be ready for the transition when the moment hits.
The standout thing about Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter is that it doesn’t taste artificial at all. True to its name, it uses real pumpkin purée. In our view, this is a near-perfect pumpkin butter. Our only caveat is that it’s a touch loose, but at a couple of dollars, we’re not complaining.
- Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons
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As mentioned, we’re still hosting during these last warm evenings, and part of that means quick and easy appetizers that can tide guests over until dinner is ready. We tried the Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons in place of the crab rangoon we were craving, and they turned out to be a pretty satisfying treat. Since they aren’t fried, the crust texture will differ a bit, but you can still achieve that crisp bite by air-frying them. They’re lush with a bright, spicy cheesy filling and quickly became a great freezer-friendly option to keep around, even as the seasons shift.
- Tarongino Frizzante Sparkling Orange Wine
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The Trader Joe’s wine aisle typically impresses us beyond expectations, often in ways that don’t quite line up with the bottle’s price. Because of that, we’re inclined to sample any bottle that catches our eye, since it’s usually good enough to pair with dinner. This particular bottle elevated our expectations, though. It comes across as bright, citrus-forward, and refreshingly crisp. It carries a noticeable salinity without being tannic or leaving a bitter aftertaste, and the sparkling quality keeps the summer vibe alive. At roughly $12, we’re already plotting a return trip to snag another bottle.
- Dark Chocolate Covered Bon Bon Cookies
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Although these have long sat on Trader Joe’s shelves, we’d only ever sampled the ice cream version of them. Since those were so delicious in their own right, we hadn’t bothered to try the cookies. But as the summer heat eases slightly, we decided to give them a go. After tasting one, we basically finished the entire package. They are wonderfully dominated by dark chocolate, which is exactly what we hoped for. The ganache is creamy and indulgent, and the combination of the dark chocolate shell, ganache, and cocoa nibs on the exterior creates a rich, well-balanced bite. Our only gripe is that the cookie base itself had a somewhat odd texture, almost as if it were stale—perhaps we just got an older box.
- Corn & Wheat Tortillas
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Lastly, we like to keep some tortillas handy, but finding ones that strike the right balance between true corn flavor and sturdy enough to hold up without tearing can be a challenge. These tortillas blend corn with wheat, giving the flexibility of a flour tortilla without the intense gluten chew or floury taste. They deliver a genuine corn flavor and stay intact throughout the entire taco-eating experience.
