Marie Wallace's Pumpkin Spice Bread

from the Dark Shadows Celebrity Cookbook

In early October Collinsport pumpkin patches are exploding with brilliant orange squash that are anxious to be picked and eaten, or turned into jack-o-lanterns. This was the perfect time, I thought, to try Marie Wallace's Pumpkin Spice Bread from The Dark Shadows Celebrity Cookbook.  Marie has contributed a number of great recipes to the book and I knew this one was bound to be as much of a treat as her others.  It's a traditional recipe and simple in the way that everything just goes together right in the mixing bowl.  Also, this recipe is low in fat and pumpkin is good for you besides.  Either fresh or canned pumpkin will do nicely.  It has a  wonderful fragrance baking on a fall afternoon, thanks to the cloves, cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg.  The result is a very tender, moist, and deliciously spicy loaf that can be enjoyed any time of day or night.  Try it plain or with butter.  Better yet, we enjoyed it with cream cheese and ginger marmalade.  Orange marmalade or apple butter would be nice with this as well, and it's perfect with coffee, tea, milk, or cider.  I think this was definitely a Collinsport favorite and no doubt was enjoyed in the coffee shop at the Collinsport Inn.