Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium sized bowl, take the first five ingredients (flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg) and mix together thoroughly. Set aside.
In another bowl or stand mixer bowl, mix together the margarine, sugar, pumpkin, egg, vanilla and optional chocolate chips or nuts. The margarine may look lumpy and not blended well into the mixture. This is ok because when we add the flour mixture it will blend together just fine.
Add the flour mixture in 2 - 3 batches, mixing thoroughly each time.
Using a spoon or cookie drop, drop cookie batter on to a lightly greased cookie sheet. Place cookies at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking. Bake for 15 minutes.
Place baked cookies onto a cooling rack and place the cooling rack on top of the cookie sheet. This will help catch the glaze that falls off the cookies.