Samhain, celebrated on October 31st is right at the end of harvest season for many farmers. With modern inventions we no longer have to worry or even think about cellars, preserving food items and storing them for several months but we can still eat conscious of the season and what the earth provides. Shop at your local farmer’s market, support the folks who grow your food and the people who also use these locally sourced products to make other things such as breads, sweets, and wellness items.
I have added a list of items that are at peak season, perfect for any fall or Samhain meal. As the temperatures drop, stews, soups and roasts take center stage in the kitchen. The smell of herbs and spices slowly simmering in a pot is enough to give you the feels.
You close your eyes and breath in deeply… a smile crosses your face and your mind runs wild with ideas of what could be cooking in that pot! My favorite thing is having my husband or daughter walk in and yell “WOW! That smells amazing!” as they float towards the stove to get a closer whiff, and maybe even a taste.
Squashes and root vegetables are versatile. They can stand up to all cooking methods whether its sauteing, roasting, frying or boiling. You can easily make purees or mash for side dishes and they make excellent soup components or soup bases. They are nutritious and hearty, which make for excellent vegetarian and vegan options.
Grains : amaranth, barley, bulgar, farro, millet, quinoa,rice (brown, wild, etc) spelt,
Root Vegetables : beets, carrots, celeriac, parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro,turnip, yams, yuca
Squash : acorn, butternut, carnival, delicata, dumpling, hubbard, kabocha, pumpkin, spaghetti
Fruits : Apples, figs, grapes, pears, persimmons, pomegranate
Nuts and Seeds : almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts
Herbs : bay leaf, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme,
Spices :allspice, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg
Alliums : garlic, leeks, onions, shallots
Hearty greens: Cabbage, chard, collards, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens
Happy Kitchen conjurings!
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