Every family or group of close friends has them: holiday traditions. The longer they are sustained from year to year, the more treasured they become. As a child, and well into my 20s until I left the nest, my mother would read “Twas the Night Before Christmas" to me before we settled down for our long winter’s nap. I’ll always recall that special time for just the two of us with great joy. Over the years, I’ve learned of some great traditions enjoyed by others. A former co-worker of mine once shared a delightful tradition with me. Once her very small children were asleep, she would swiftly …

They’re a tree trimmer, a gift tie-on and the crowning glory on your holiday stocking. That’s right; the candy cane.  With the holiday season in full swing, the candy cane has assumed its annual role as the grand poohbah of holiday symbols. Its colorful stripes and distinctive shape makes it a shoo-in for easy decorating and a sweet treat available by the dozens in countless stores around town.  According to food historians at the National Confectioners Association, the candy cane has a long and not-so-colorful (literally) past. Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at a cathedral in …

One of the true joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to catch up with friends (or make some new ones) at holiday gatherings. Some years it seems every weekend is packed with parties or gatherings of some sort.  Knowing that our festive Patch readers are nothing if not well mannered, it seemed like a good time to offer a thought or two about hostess gifts. Many of us (this writer included) rely on a nice bottle of wine as way of expressing gratitude, but what better time of year to add a special flare than the holidays? Hostess gifts are a token of appreciation offered to the person …

O Christmas Tree!  O Christmas Tree! Is that you back already?   It’s hard to believe in these mild temperatures, but yes, those are rows of Christmas trees you see at the garden store and various annual stands. Just as you rinse off that turkey roasting pan, brace yourself for the start of the Christmas decorating season. When you stop to consider it, bringing a fresh cut balsam into your home seems a bit crazy. The tradition, however, has spanned centuries and has become a multimillion dollar industry. The Germans are credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in …

  Thanksgiving week is upon us. If you’re cooking or hosting, the preparatory work has already begun. If you are travelling to spend the day with family or friends, your mouth is undoubtedly watering already. After dinner, football, dessert and napping have all been successfully completed, the annual parade of leftovers begins.     Now, let the record state there is no better use of leftovers than the construction of the traditional gobbler sandwich. Turkey, stuffing and cranberry between two slices of hearty bread (a little mayo if you like) cannot be beat. But with a little creativity, …

Let the countdown begin; the annual Thanksgiving feast is approaching. With that comes the anticipation of all your favorites: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing. All of it of course leads to the big finish, the classic array of pies. Apple, mince, pumpkin a variety of other sweet concoctions brings the Thanksgiving dinner to a glorious close. So, how did the traditional desserts acquire their place of honor at the annual feast? It is believed that the traditional pie pastry originated in Greece. The pies were made using a flour-water paste wrapped around meat. This served two purposes, to …

Second only to the turkey, cranberries are the food item most often associated with Thanksgiving. Every photo of a golden roasted turkey ready to be carved is displayed with a bowl of cranberry sauce, its tried and true partner in crime. Frankly, it sells this seasonal jewel a little short. Cranberries are a more versatile ingredient than you might think. They are featured in many recipes from breakfast to dinner and everything in between.  Nutritionally, they are a great source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. So cast aside your preconceived notion that cranberry sauce is a one-hit holiday …

Drop everything folks. You may be focused on Monday’s Halloween revelry, but I have news for you. Oct. 30 is National Candy Corn Day.  That’s right — if you have not planned accordingly, you better get to the card store and the supermarket for that matter, to stock up on the sweetest of seasonal treats. This is one holiday you cannot allow to go unnoticed this year.  Candy corn, the three-tiered colorful confection sold by the bag from the close of Labor Day weekend to the end of the fall, is a long-standing trademark of the season. I think it’s safe to say that most folks have a love or hate…

The observance of Halloween, dating back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of spooks and goblins. But its greatest claim to fame has to be the beloved tradition of trick-or-treating. We know that hundreds of costumed youngsters arrive on our doorsteps full of anticipation each year, ready to collect their bounty. But where did it all originate? As far back as the Middle or Dark Ages, the Catholic church approved the act of "souling," where beggars could go around asking for food, usually barley or oat cakes, in exchange for prayers. The prayers …

One of the telltale signs of fall in the produce department or at your local farm stand is the arrival of seasonal squash such as butternut, acorn or spaghetti (collectively considered winter squash). With a chill in the air, squash takes center stage in soups, pastas and countless other comfort foods.  From a nutritional point of view, winter squash brings a lot to the table. It is a good source of fiber, magnesium, and potassium. It is also an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin E. Most squashes are also low in calorie and high in distinct flavors which are why they are featured in …

Last week we embraced the football season with a discussion about tailgating and some great appetizer options. This column takes it one step further by delving into some entrees and beverages to add flavor to your pre (and post) game activities.  If you are an avid camper, you may already have some of the tools needed to prepare the recipes below in the parking lot of your choice. If not, a trip to the local sporting goods store can help you accomplish the mission.  Last week we provided some details about the latest and greatest grills available for outdoor use. Another investment to expand …

As we continue to explore the many ways apples can add variety to your culinary repertoire, our focus turns to entrees. On a chilly fall day, there are a few warm and inviting recipes I would endorse as well worth your time. Apples pair very well with pork as you will see in the following recipe.  The addition of spicy brown mustard balances well with the sweetness of the syrup.  I would suggest a side dish of brown rice to which you could add handful of toasted pecans to heighten the texture. Maple Glazed Pork With ApplesIngredients    1/3 cup maple syrup 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard 1/4…

Last week, we welcomed fall by introducing some pumpkin recipes. With too many delectable options available, I promised a second installment of this article.  In serachng around for places to pick your own pumpkins, I was pleased to see that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website offer a really nice directory of places to pick pumpkins.  What a great day trip on a crisp fall day and there are many that are reasonably close by such as Drumlin Farm in Lincoln or Siena Farm in Sudbury. By all accounts, the wrath of Hurricane Irene took its toll on this year’s patch which could not withstand …

If you’re like me, you have a trigger that says to you, “Fall has arrived.”  For some of you, perhaps it’s the first leaves changing color or the kids climbing back on the school bus. For others it’s apple picking or that first sip of cider.  For me, it’s the first pumpkin sighting; then I know we’ve arrived. Grab the sweaters, mull the cider and plant the mums. For foodies, it’s the equivalent of relay runners passing the baton. It invites a whole category of ingredients back into the kitchen after a summer respite. Apples, butternut squash, cinnamon and ginger come together in some heavenly…

Most would agree that summer’s fresh garden vegetables, whether you grew them yourself or bought them locally, are superior in flavor to those you eat at any other time of the year. This is particularly true of corn.  Alas, the summer draws to a close and we are destined to return to the frozen food aisle until next year’s harvest is ready. Or are we ? There is more corn out there than you might think. In fact, the numbers are staggering. According to the Corn Farmers' Coalition: In 2010, corn farmers in the United States produced 12.4 billion bushels of corn. That is enough to circle the …

With Labor Day weekend upon us, the summer begins to wind down. Luckily, for grilling enthusiasts, there are still a number of weeks to spark up the coals and wow your friends and family.  In fact, this weekend usually brings a cookout or two to pass the time. This week we’re paying homage to the all-American classic — the hamburger. Hamburgers are one of those tasty treats that can be found at any point in the gourmet spectrum. From drive-thru restaurants to sports stadiums to five-star steakhouses, they have taken up residence with great reviews.  Without a speck of ham in them, I wondered …

Summer Smoothies As we approach the final (gulp) weeks of summer, there is no time to waste. Who among us does not want to squeeze in a few more hours at the beach or an early evening walk while it is still light out?  Often a quick energy fix is a welcome alternative to making a meal. With a number of fruits currently at their peak of flavor it seems timely to feature smoothies. You can find these fruits at the Farmers Market at the Wayside Inn, Sudbury Farms or Shaw's. A smoothie is a blended, chilled, and sometimes sweetened beverage made from fresh fruit, crushed ice, and often yogurt or …

This week we continue to enjoy this summer’s harvest by exploring the various ways to prepare eggplant. Eggplant is optimally enjoyed when it is cooked. As a raw vegetable it can have a somewhat bitter taste, but becomes tender when cooked, developing a rich, complex flavor. Traditionally, recipes often advise salting, rinsing and draining of the sliced fruit. This is known as degorging. The degorging process softens and reduces the amount of fat absorbed during cooking, in addition to removing its bitterness. Eggplant is more versatile than you might think. It is often prepared as breaded …

If you aren’t passionate about ice cream this time of year (or any for that matter), read no further. This week’s article is dedicated to ice cream lovers exclusively who are a sizable and devout population. America’s obsession with the frozen concoction in its many forms has grown into a multimillion dollar industry. Indeed, it is devoured by all ages and the variations now available to consumers are endless.  Believe it or not, the origins of ice cream can be traced back to at least the 4th century B.C. to the Roman emperor Nero who ordered ice to be brought from the mountains and combined …

Those of you with gardens realize that the fruits of your spring and summer labors are now making their debut. In our backyard, one of the first to arrive on the scene was zucchini. Zucchini is arguably the most versatile resident in your garden. It can be used as an appetizer, in a soup or salad, as an entrée, side dish and even in a few different desserts.  The zucchini has a delicate flavor requiring little more than quick cooking, with its skin left in place, in butter or olive oil. Alternatively, zucchini can also be eaten raw, sliced or shredded in a cold salad, baked into muffins or …