Squash Time

Now that fall is officially here it's time to look into that perennial autumn treat: the squash. These pumpkin cousins are loaded taste but with essential vitamins. You can cut them up, and roast, bake or microwave them.

Right now there are several different fall squashes out there on the market. Last month (if you can remember) I wrote about eating summer squash such as zucchini in the winter along with the other summer varieties. Now other the winter or late harvested squashes are readily available. All of these have thick rinds and orange pulp. Winter squash requires cooking. The most popular types are acorn and butternut which can be baked and split to be served with butter. Buttercup squash is another popular fall and winter favorite. It can be used as a main meal but also turned into creamy soup.

Squash is load with beta carotene as well as fiber. It's also a good source of niacin and iron Try to incorporate it into your meals as often as you can. if the kids balk at eating it, then cook and mash it. Serve with butter or margarine. They'll enjoy the creamy texture plus loading it up with extras.

This fall sink your teeth into winter squash. These harbingers of autumn are perfect whether as the entree or a side dish. Enjoy them as often as you can!

October Is Here!!!

hard to believe that's it's already October, month of pumpkins, cider and Halloween candy! It's also my birthday month (I share a birthday with the great Early Romantic poet and critic, Samuel Taylor Coleridge - October 21st also Trafalgar Day in Britain) so I'm going to be indulging in my faves.

The best part about this month is it;s kind of like fall's version of July. The weather is still beach worthy. The farms are brimming with crops. The sky is still a bright blue while the air is still warm during the day. I plan to make the mos t of this month with beach picnics, on the road trips to new eateries and seeing what the farms of South Jersey offer. Hopefully I'll pick up some good , sturdy pumpkins along with trying some fresh apple cider.

This is my month. As a dedicated foodie I'm going to enjoy it - birthday cake and all!!!

A Healthier Foodie

Recently I've been asked to help out with a vegan booth at a local health fair. This should be interesting for me. As much as I love the occasional bacon cheeseburger I do realize a meatless diet is sometimes a better choice.Luckily there are some great soy products out there the market.

as much is soy is good for you it does have a down side. Too much can raise the risk of breast cancer and it can be more fattening than meat. However there are a lot of pluses to a soy burger as well. Boca burgers and Morningstar fakin bacon can lower cholesterol as well as creating a healthier diet.If you're put off by these , just gradually ease them into your meals. Maybe have one or two meatless days a week.Another idea is mixing tofu fake beef crumbles into chili or marinara sauce to get acclimated to the taste and feel of tofu. Just don't go cold turkey (pardon the pun).

If tofu isn't your thing then add more vegetables to your diet. Squash can be made into the main food of a meal. You can slice it into chucks that can be grilled with heart healthy olive oil. Ratatouille is another good meatless and healthy dish. It's chock full of tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini along with garlic. Stuffing onions with celery is another good veggie dish as is stuffed peppers with tomatoes and chick peas.

Be a healthy foodie and eat well.Stay away from meat a smuch as you can and have a better diet.

Yet Again Technical Difficulties

Foodies,

Yes again I'm experiencing technical difficulties (grrrrrrrr!!!!!!) Hopefully I'll be back up tomorrow with an all new column. In the meantime eat and drink happy

Liz

That American Classic - The Bake Sale

Endless schools and teams around the country will be hosting that tradition that usually starts in the fall. What is it?

The bake sale.

This classic has been around for decades possibly starting at voting booths. After choosing their candidate voters paid for a light, sweet snack of cookies or pie along with coffee tea or lemonade. Girl Scouts also had bake sales to raise cash as did various school clubs and groups. Now it's almost fall must to head over to your local one and sample home baked sweets.

Don't despair if you're tagged for a bake sale. Even the worst bakers can whip up something reasonable and tasty. A quick and easy treat are slice and bake sugar cookies. Toss on a few sprinkles in the school or team colors and you've got an instant hit. Another quickie entry is a cream pie. Use a prebaked pie shell, Fill with instant pudding and then cover with Cool Whip or Redi Whip. Muffins are another easy contribution and there are some very easy microwave recipes concerning these.Of course what bake sake wouldn't be complete without chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. these are easy to whip up.You can decorate them with powdered sugar for a classier spin or top with fresh made butter cream icing and decorations.

If you love to bake then consider snickerdoodles, those common classics that are always big sellers at any bake sales. Giant chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies are fun to make and good to sell. Any sweet bread such as banana and zucchini are also top sellers and guaranteed to bring in cash. If you're really ambitious think about making an old fashioned layer cake with home made butter cream frosting.

This is definitely the season. They're a fun addition to any one's fall schedule along with being a great stop to indulge your sweet tooth.make sure you have a few minutes to go to one and help out a team or a school.

A Nice Bowl of Soup

It's getting to be the time of year where a hot bowl or mug of soup is appreciated. Luckily there's so many different kinds fo soup to make and each one can be filling.Another good point about soup is that it can be frozen for future use.

What's the most popular soup? That's undoubtedly debatable. Persinal favorites of mine are minestrone and pompesit. the family's breadcrumb soup from Piedmont in Northwestern italy. I also love Manhattan clam chowder as well and consider it a treat when I do get it.

What do you readers like? What kind of soup or bisque floats your spoon? This is going to be an open column with anyone writing in.

Hot Drinks - The Adult's Security Blanket

During these times of financial unrest it's nice to know there''s a place we can go to for comfort. the first thought would be under the covers but the actual answer is our local coffee shops. Nothing soothes a troubled mind and soul than a good cup of something hot.

It's tough to give up those three and four dollar lattes when our pockets are empty. Yet, we need these whipped creamed , spiced or mocha-ed javas to get us through one rough day after the other. Let's face it. There's nothing like a quick run to the local Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts when the chips are down or when we need some kind of hug. Hot coffee or even a chai tea warms us and gives us a mini vacation from our everyday lives. We forget about the report that had to be written yesterday or the client from hell. The liquid, so sweet , so smooth , so seductive just slides down our throat into an empty heart. Yup, that's what it is. No wonder we crave it so much.

I think the same could be said for hot cocoa. This is a trip back to childhood innocence. it's the liquid equivalent of cotton candy or a corn dog or a candy apple. It takes us back to a time, when our moms had a cup of steaming Ovaltine after an afternoon of sledding or ice skating. The sweetness and the pure chocolate taste comforts us. You almost want to curl up for a nap with your favorite stuffed animal after you drink a cup.

There will be a lot we will have to give up. The expensive highlights, the fancy car , the weekend jaunts to exotic places. We'll be forced to stay at home - not having enough money to even see a movie. Yet there will always be time for a hot drink.