THE VILLAGE VOICE

"The greatest delight the fields and woods minister is the suggestion of an occult relation between man and the vegetable. I am not alone and unacknowledged. They nod to me and I to them." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ Pumpkins & squash ____________ GINGER PUMPKIN, CRANBERRIES & APPLES ~ The intense smell of autumn harvest in this delicious treat slightly tweaked from The Northwoods Table __________ 4 cups peeled and 1-inch cubed fresh pumpkin or squash 1 quart water 4 cups cored and 1-inch cubed Granny Smith apples 3 Tbsp. dried cranberries 1/3 cup unsalted butter 2 oz. Cointreau 1/2 cup dark brown sugar coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger (1 tsp. ground) additional unsalted butter for serving Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Bring water to boil in 2 quart saucepan. Add pumpkin or squash and cook until fork tender but still firm. Drain and toss with apples and cranberries. Transfer to oven-proof casserole. Melt butter in 1 quart sauce...

"For before the harvest, as soon as the bud blossoms And the flower becomes a ripening grape, Then He will cut off the sprigs with pruning knives And remove and cut away the spreading branches." ~ Isaiah 18:5 ~ Awaiting harvest ______________________ STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES with HERB GOAT CHEESE ~ Simple tried and true classic since biblical days __________________________ 1 jar (16-oz) preserved grape leaves 3 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts (shake raw pine nuts over medium heat for 5 minutes and set aside) 8 oz. crumbled creamy goat cheese 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup minced fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, chives, tarragon, etc.) 1 Tbsp. rinsed capers sea salt freshly ground black pepper extra-virgin olive oil for brushing 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice lemon zest fresh grapes for garnish mint leaves Rinse grape leaves under cold water and pat dry. Remove tough stems and ends. Place vein side up on clean flat surface. Combine goat cheese, olive oi...

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." ~ George Eliot ROASTED PEPPER & FRESH BASIL STRATA ~ Wondering what to do with your fresh basil harvest? A lovely easy recipe to tuck away ... ______________ 10 cups dried (1/2-1 inch cubed) favorite hearty bread (wheat, herb, sour dough, brioche, etc.) 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 large thinly sliced red or sweet onion 1-2 cups thinly sliced baby bella mushrooms (or mushrooms of choice) 2 cups crumbled feta cheese 2 cups sliced roasted red and yellow peppers (roast peppers yourself or try Trader Joe's jars of combined) 1/2 cup packed thinly sliced fresh basil 5 large organic eggs 1 cup whole milk or sour cream 1 healthy tsp. Coleman's dry mustard 1 tsp. coarse salt freshly ground pepper to taste 1 cup crumbled feta or grated Parmesan cheese freshly chopped parsley or dried parsley Melt butter in skillet and saute onions and mushrooms...