Autumn Delights!

Apple picking at Harvest Moon Farms

We took advantage of a lovely Columbus Day weekend to take a drive upstate, watch the leaves turn and visit Harvest Moon Farms in North Salem for some apple picking, pumpkin picking, the smell of cider doughnuts and delighting in the season. With baskets of apples and pumpkins now on hand, we re-visited our favorite old and new recipes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Apple Pie
Can there be a more fun way to prepare some freshly picked apples?  This tried and true recipe features a delectable all-butter crust and creamy filling.  I've found that the recipe works well with almost any fruit but the apple version is my house signature pie.

Apple and Walnut Salad
You're bound to have plenty of apples left, even after baking your heart's content of pies.  They're great for snacking, of course, but also make a delicious and nutritious addition to salads.

Pumpkin Risotto
Creamy and flavorful, pumpkin risotto has to be one of the all-time comfort foods of the season.  And since pumpkins are so decorative, why throw away a perfectly functional and edible bowl?!

Grain-Stuffed Delicata Squash
As much as I love pumpkins, the tender flesh of the Delicata squash is one of my seasonal favorites.  They come in both long and pumpkin shapes but the taste is the same and they're ideal for roasting and stuffing.  This grain, rice and walnut stuffing is wonderful!

Meat-Stuffed Delicata Squash
The pumpkin shaped Delicata makes a gorgeous edible bowl.  In this case I stuffed it with a beef mixture and served it over risotto.  Meat, veggie and starch all in one!

Pumpkin Martini
After a long day of apple picking or just a hard day of work, enjoy a taste of the season with a kick.  This version of a pumpkin martini is creamy, sweet and delicious.

Sweet Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin pies are great but very fattening.  I keep this low fat, low sugar pumpkin bread around all season for healthy snacking.