Your pumpkin slander is a bit much - like potatoes, pumpkin (or acorn squash or mirliton, et al) don’t have much of a taste at all - which is why it can be a great vehicle for spices
Pumpkin ravioli is awesome, pumpkin gnocchi is awesome
Pumpkin pancakes can be awesome
But I agree with your contention that ‘spice’ is carrying the burden of ‘pumpkin spice’