Harvest Seasons 2023 - Edition Three

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Piccata

• Chicken Parmigiana

• Eggplant Parmigiana

• Eggplant Rollatini

• Farfalle Primavera

• Gnocchi Bolognese

• Grilled Pork Tenderloin

• Manicotti

• Meatballs in Sauce

• Mussels Marinara

• Mussels Garlic & Oil

• Orecchiette Broccoli Rabe

• Penne alla Vodka

• Pork Filet Salpino

• Rigatoni Bolognese

• Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

• Sausage & Peppers

• Sausage & Potatoes

• Stuffed Chicken

• Stuffed Rigatoni

• Stuffed Shells

• Tortellini Alfredo

Antipasto (Choose One)

• Antipasto Platter

• Mozzarella Caprese Platter

• Cheese Platter

• Grilled Vegetable Platter

Salad (Choose One)

• Garden Salad

• Caesar Salad

• Giardinastro

• Spinach & Goat Cheese

• Arugula Salad

Main Course (Choose one per ten people. Must choose one pasta dish.)

Pasta (must choose one)

• Cavatelli Calabrese

• Farfalle Primavera

• Gemelli alla Gabriella

• Linguine w/ Clam Sauce

• Linguine ai Frutti di Mare

• Orzo Mediterranean

• Penne alla Vodka

• Penne Fantasia

• Shrimp Mia

Poultry

• Chicken Adriana

• Chicken w/ Sauteed Broccoli & Sundried Tomatoes

• Chicken Cacciatore

• Chicken Francese

• Chicken Grigio

• Chicken Marsala

• Chicken Parmigiana

• Chicken Sorrentino

• Grilled Turkey London Broil

• Roasted Turkey Breast

• Stuffed Chicken

Starch & Vegetables

• Brussels Sprouts

• Butternut Squash

• Eggplant Parmigiana

• Eggplant Rollatine

• Grilled Asparagus

• Grilled Potatoes

• Rice Primavera

• Roasted Potatoes

• Spaghetti Squash

From the Land

• Boneless Spare Ribs

• Grilled Pork Tenderloin

• Grilled USDA Prime Flat Iron Steak

• Meatballs

• Pork Chop Caprese

• Pork Filet Salpino

• Sausage & Peppers

• Veal Marsala

• Veal Parmigiana

• Veal Scallopine

From the Sea

• Grilled Salmon

• Maryland Crab Cakes

• Mussels Margherita

• Mussels w/ Garlic & Oil

• Shrimp Oregenata

• Shrimp Parmigiana

• Stuffed Flounder Filet

• Stuffed Shrimp

• Shrimp Scampi

Lynn Witz was recognized as the 2022 Top Sales Agent of the Year, for the entire Howard Hanna Coach Realtors organization. An honor given to only one of our rm’s 700 sales agents

Commack O ce | 212 Commack Road Commack, NY 11725

I have been very active so far in 2023, the following are my sales.

and have the numbers to prove it.

PLANNING A LOCAL BREWERY TOUR

With so much interest in locally produced beers, a local brewery tour can be the perfect way for people to enjoy an autumn afternoon or evening. Consider these tips on how to make a brewery tour fun and safe:

• Don’t assume they serve food

• Be aware of the distance between each stop

• Arrange transportation

• Try a flight (a sampling of different beers)

• Pace yourself

• Ask questions & learn

LOCAL BREWERIES TO TRY

• Blue Point Brewery

Patchogue, NY

• Montauk Brewing Company

Montauk, NY

• Jamesport Farm Brewery Riverhead, NY

• Oyster Bay Brewing Company

Oyster Bay, NY

• Westhampton Beach Brewing Co.

Westhampton Beach, NY

• Great South Bay Brewery

Bay Shore, NY

• South Shore Craft Brewery

Oceanside, NY

Festive AppsTo Satisfy Guests

Thanksgiving is a food lover’s paradise. Even though the turkey and side dishes are the crowning achievements on Thanksgiving, hungry guests will need something to tide them over until the pièce de résistance is ready. In such situations, bite-sized appetizers that are tasty yet not too filling can fit the bill. Charcuterie boards and tasting menus continue to be all the rage. In addition to a platter of fruit slices, figs, aged cheeses, and crostini, treat guests to “Mini Cheese Ball Bites,” which offer various textures and flavors in bite-sized morsels. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Spectacular Spreads: 50 Amazing Food Spreads for Any Occasion” (Rock Point) by Meagan Brown.

Mini Cheese Ball Bites

Makes 12

8 ounces light cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons drained, chopped pimentos

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

Pinch kosher salt

Pinch freshly ground black pepper

1⁄2 cup crushed pecans

1⁄4 cup chopped chives

12 pretzel sticks

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, cheddar, pimentos, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Place the crushed pecans and chives in a small bowl. Set aside.

Roll the cheese mixture into twelve 1-inch balls. Evenly coat each ball with the pecan-chive mixture. Press a pretzel stick into the top of each cheese ball just before serving. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Tips To Simplify Thanksgiving Entertaining

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner for a houseful of close friends and relatives can be a tad overwhelming. Thanksgiving is a food and tradition-centric holiday, and all eyes are typically on the dinner table. Pulling off a feast of this magnitude — multiple courses, side dishes, and desserts — takes considerable effort. These tips, tricks, and timesavers can be a Thanksgiving host’s saving grace.

Pick The Menu Early

Don’t leave menu planning and shopping to the last minute. Decide what you’ll be cooking in addition to turkey several weeks before the big day. Select two or three side dishes, preferably items that can be prepared in advance and then reheated on Thanksgiving. These can include a baked macaroni and cheese casserole, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and cornbread stuffing.

Brine Your Bird

Turkey is the centerpiece of the feast, so give it every opportunity to shine. No one wants a dry turkey, but unfortunately, this lean poultry can dry out easily. Meats typically lose about 30 percent of their weight during cooking. However, by soaking the turkey in a brine prior to cooking it, you can reduce this moisture loss to as little as 15 percent, according to Dr. Estes Reynolds, a brining expert at the University of Georgia. Brining the

fowl for a day or more can infuse flavor and moisture. Food Network personality Alton Brown has a fanfavorite roast turkey recipe with an aromatic brine that has garnered five stars and was featured on his show “Good Eats” (www. foodnetwork.com/recipes/altonbrown/good-eats-roast-turkeyrecipe-1950271). A simple salted water soak also can work.

Start Prep Work A Few Days Before Thanksgiving

Take some stress out of Thanksgiving by cutting all vegetables and/or preparing some dishes a few days early. Label and organize prepared ingredients by recipe and store them in the refrigerator. Make extra room in the fridge by removing nonessential items and placing them in a cooler with ice and cleaning out any old food or condiments. Plan your table settings and label which bowls and other serving dishes will be used for which items. This will make it much easier to set the table on Thanksgiving.

Serve Batched Cocktails

It can be challenging and expensive to have a full bar for guests. Mulled wine, hot cider, and punches are ideal ways to service a crowd.

Create Simple Centerpieces

Use seasonal sights for your centerpieces or place settings. Include squashes, gourds, citrus fruits, nuts, or acorns. A hollowedout pumpkin filled with fresh flowers also can be eye-catching.

Avoiding Dry Turkey This Thanksgiving

Turkey

is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinners. The National Turkey Federation estimates approximately 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving each year, followed by 22 million turkeys at Christmastime. Turkey makes a pleasing picture on the dinner table. However, some people insist that turkey is their least favorite component of the Thanksgiving meal. One of the biggest complaints is turkey tends to be dry.

There are many reasons why turkey can come out dry. Turkey is a lean meat, and Healthline reports that turkey has slightly less fat in its dark meat than chicken. Another reason why turkey may be dry is due to its poor breast-to-leg ratio. By the time one gets the leg meat to cook to a temperature so it’s safe for consumption, the breast meat often has dried out. Seeing how many people dive for the breast meat initially, they could dish up some dry bird.

There are many ways home cooks can prevent dry turkey this Thanksgiving. Consider these turkey-tending tips.

• Brine your bird. According to ScienceBlogs,

what causes a human to perceive a food as juicy may actually be his or her own saliva at work. Salty foods may stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth, helping the food to feel much more moist while on the palate. To adequately inject enough salt into the turkey meat, submerge it in a salt brine for a few days before cooking.

• Watch your cook time. It’s important to avoid overcooking the turkey, which will turn it as dry as the Sahara. Some turkeys come equipped with pop-up timers to help cooks

gauge when to take them out of the oven. However, a more accurate tool is a digital food thermometer that can be set to go off when the turkey reaches the correct internal temperature.

• Cook the turkey parts separately. As previously noted, the breast meat will likely reach the desired temperature before the leg meat. To fix this, take the turkey out of the oven when it reaches five to 10 degrees before the safe temperature for the breast meat, around 165 F. (Remember, the meat will continue to cook while “resting.”) Let guests “ooh and aah” over the pictureperfect turkey. Then cut off the legs and return them to the oven until they are done. Arrange the properly cooked breast and leg meat together on a serving platter.

• Offer condiments. A moist dollop of stuffing, a drizzle of gravy, or a scoop of cranberry sauce can add moisture to turkey. This approach does not prevent drying out, but it can make a turkey that has dried out a bit more satisfying.

PUMPKIN PICKING DESTINATIONS

A perk of living on Long Island is our countless local farms that open to the public for all to enjoy! This year, consider heading out east to pick your pumpkins...and make a day trip out of it!

FINK’S COUNTRY FARM

Wading River, NY

STAKEY’S PUMPKIN FARM

Aquebogue, NY

HARBES FAMILY FARM

Mattituck, NY

HANK’S PUMPKINTOWN Water Mill, NY

HOLZMAN’S FAMILY FARM

Riverhead, NY

THE MILK PAIL Water Mill, NY

Crustless Pie

A Treat For Those With Gluten Intolerance

The holiday season is a popular time to entertain. Food is often a focal point of holiday season entertainment. Individuals who navigate food allergies or intolerances may shy away from certain celebrations out of fear that a nibble of this or a bite of that may trigger an allergic response. In such instances, concern about ingredients can cast a pall over normally festive occasions.

Those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerances must be mindful of the foods they consume. Meals or desserts containing gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, semolina, rye, barley, graham, spelt, farina, and more, can trigger intestinal distress and other symptoms. With delicious pies, cakes, and cookies on the holiday serving table, gluten is likely to make an appearance. However, with careful planning, people who cannot stomach foods that contain gluten can still indulge in their favorite holiday flavors.

“Crustless Libby’s® Famous Pumpkin Pie” is a variation of traditional pumpkin pie served at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Without the crust, individuals who avoid gluten can still dive into that pumpkin-and-spice combination that’s so popular around the holiday season. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of Libby’s® Pumpkin.

Crustless Libby’s® Famous Pumpkin Pie

Makes 8 servings

Cooking times

9-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F; bake for 55 to 60 minutes

10-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes

8-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes

9-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes

8-inch-square baking pan: 350 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes

8-inch-square glass baking dish: 325 F; 50 to 60 minutes

9-inch-square baking dish: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes

11x7-inch glass baking dish: 325 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes

13x9-inch baking pan: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes

13x9-inch glass baking dish: 325 F; bake for 40 to 45 minutes

Directions:

3⁄4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 large eggs

1 can (15 ounces) Libby’s® 100% Pure Pumpkin

1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé® Carnation Evaporated Milk

Nonstick cooking spray

Whipped cream (optional)

1. Preheat oven as directed below. Glass baking dishes without crust require a cooler oven, and in most cases, a longer baking time.

2. Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease bottom of baking pan or baking dish.

3. Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

4. Bake as directed below or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

5. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

For Halloween Get Your Pet Ready

Dressingup for Halloween is one of the more enjoyable ways to celebrate the spooky season. It’s not uncommon for people to be planning their costumes well ahead of Halloween, and seeing as the pop-up retailer Spirit Halloween starts taking over vacant properties beginning in the middle of August, it’s never too early to begin thinking about the thrills, chills, and candy to come. Pet owners often choose to include their companion animals in Halloween festivities. Data from a 2022 PetSmart national survey unveiled that more than 75 percent of pet parents planned to dress their pets up for Halloween and other fall occasions. Some citydwelling individuals even planned to match their pet’s fall attire to their own. In 2019, the National Retail Federation estimated Americans would spend $490 million on pet costumes in 2020, which was more than double the figure spent around a decade prior.

Rubies, the largest manufacturer of pet costumes in the U.S. and Europe, shared these statistics in 2022, many of which will stay consistent this year.

• Vermont, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, and Maine are the states most likely to have dressed up their pets.

• A pumpkin, hot dog, and bat are the three most popular pet costumes. Star Wars-themed costumes also are favorites year after year.

There are plenty of costumes and pet clothing designed for pets, but not all of them are recommended by humane organizations or vets. Those who choose to include pets in Halloween festivities should keep these tips in mind when selecting costumes.

• Can the pet move properly? Check to see

if the clothing item is sized appropriately so that it is not restrictive. Make sure the pet can walk properly, jump, groom, and relieve itself. Do not leave pets in costumes for too long, as they may affect the animal’s ability to control body temperature.

• Is your pet stressed? Look for behaviors that may indicate the pet is stressed by wearing the costume. Pets feeling anxious may groom excessively or make more noise than usual. Dogs may pant a lot or yawn. If a pet is pawing or pulling at the costume, it might be making the animal uncomfortable. Dogs tend to be more tolerant of costumes than cats, though each pet is unique.

• Can body language be relayed? Pets use body language to communicate with other animals. Costumes could interfere with that ability. If the

pet will be wearing the costume indoors and not in proximity to other animals, it may be fine. Pets who will be walking outdoors and come into contact with other companion animals might act differently and other animals may act aggressively when faced with a pet in a costume.

• Is it safe? Choose costumes that do not impede the pet’s vision or its ability to walk. Select materials that are fire-retardant and nontoxic.

How To Keep Kids Safe On Halloween

WhenHalloween arrives each October, most people are interested in the entertaining aspects of the holiday in addition to the abundance of sweet foods that are there for the taking. Even though fun may be foremost on the brain, it is important for everyone to keep safety in mind as well. According to the Florida Law Group, Halloween is a time of heightened injuries and fatalities and is actually the deadliest day of the year for children. A State Farm Insurance study that analyzed four million fatalities between 1990 and 2010 discovered children are twice as likely to die on Halloween as they are on any other day of the year. Data published in the Wall Street Journal indicated children between the ages of four and eight are 10 times more likely to be fatally injured by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. While no one wants to put a damper on

Halloween festivities, it’s important that everyone celebrate safely.

Keep Weekdays In Mind

Halloween falls on a Tuesday in 2023 and that could be more dangerous than if it fell on a weekend. According to Autoinsurance.com, which conducted a study that analyzed 24 years’ worth of data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), injuries to children and pedestrians, in general, were higher on weeknights than on weekend holidays, with most accidents occurring between 6 p.m. and 7 pm — prime commuter time. Exercise extreme caution walking around this year.

Opt For Face Paints Over Masks

Medical masks may still be worn by some families as precautions against COVID-19. However, when it comes to Halloween costumes,

face paints are preferable to masks and other face coverings. Masks tend to limit visibility, which can lead to kids tripping and falling, or even not being able to see cars or other pedestrians. Follow safety instructions when using face paint around the eyes and mouth.

Improve Visibility All Around

In late October, the sun sets at 5:50 on average (for New York City according to 2021 data). Sunset will occur earlier the more north one is located latitudinally. With darkness descending during peak trick-or-treating times, it’s imperative that children carry flashlights or glow sticks or utilize reflective tape on their costumes so others can see them.

Traverse Familiar Areas

Children trick-or-treating with adults may be able to venture a bit further in pursuit of treats, but

it is generally safer to stay close to home where surroundings are familiar. This reduces the propensity for getting lost or wandering into sketchy situations. Older kids allowed to venture out on their own would be wise to stay close to home as well. Neighbors can assist if something goes awry and there’s less chance of getting turned around.

What Homeowners Can Do

Even though safety is largely on the shoulders of trick-or-treaters, homeowners and renters can do their part to ensure the safety of those enjoying Halloween hijinks. Make sure walkways to doors are clear. Have additional lights on pathways or overhead to improve visibility. Contain pets indoors, as they may become skittish on Halloween with extra crowds and noises. Don’t run the risk of kids getting scratched or bitten.

Fun Facts About The Month Of October

Canadians

celebrate Thanksgiving each October. While October may not be home to Thanksgiving in the United States, Americans, much like their Canadian counterparts, have much to be thankful for in the tenth month of the calendar year. Fall temperatures tend to be at their most accommodating in October, which also happens to be home to Halloween. Those are not the only interesting and fun facts about this popular month.

1. October has something of a misleading name. Licensed drivers undoubtedly know that the prefix “octo” means eight, which is why Stop signs are octagons. So why does October, the tenth month of the year, have a name that suggests it should be the eighth month of the year? That peculiarity can be traced to the early Roman calendar, which featured just 10 months, the eighth of which was October. The Romans eventually converted to a 12-month calendar, and October kept its name despite becoming the tenth month of that calendar.

2. Some notable individuals have holidays in their honor in October, including two on the

same day. This year, Monday, October 9, 2023, is both Columbus Day and Leif Erikson Day. It’s fitting that each figure’s holiday falls on the same day, as both are among history’s more well-known explorers.

Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, while Leif Erikson Day celebrates a man believed to be the first known European to set foot in continental North America.

3. Columbus Day might court its fare of fanfare (and controversy), but its popularity cannot match that of October’s most beloved day to celebrate: Halloween. Halloween is celebrated on October 31 and History.com notes this can be traced to ancient Celts. The Celts celebrated the festival of Samhain on October 31, the night before their new year. They did this because they believed that night marked the return of the ghosts of the dead to earth. That emphasis on the ghoulish is present each Halloween as well.

4. October is considered a great time of year to take a road trip, and much of that reputation can be traced to fall foliage. Leaves begin to change color

in many regions in early October, and the resulting colorful landscape is beautiful to behold. Though some may presume the shift in color in October is due to the month’s typical drop in temperature, it’s actually due to a decrease in sunlight. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, leaves begin to lose their green color when photosynthesis from sunlight slows down, which happens because the hours of daylight dwindle considerably during the month of October. That lack of sunlight causes chlorophyll to break down, which in turn causes leaves to change color. But not all leaves will look the same, as any leafpeeping pro will know. Some leaves turn red, while others turn brown, orange, or yellow. The trees that turn red get more direct sunlight in October, while those that get less direct sunlight turn brown, orange, or yellow.

Help your neighbors put a holiday meal on their table! Now through November 15th, you can give back by providing a full family Thanksgiving meal to families in need. Students earn 1 hour of community service for each completed meal donated.

• 1 box of Stuffing

• 1 box of Mashed Potato Mix

• 2 cans or packets of Gravy

• 1 can of Yams

Leaves

Can Stain Exterior Surfaces

Leaves that fall from trees can be a marvel to behold, but leaves can stain exterior surfaces when they eventually settle on vehicles, concrete driveways, patios, and other surfaces, become wet, and/or are not cleaned away in a timely fashion. Leaf stains are caused by tannins in the leaves. The pigments can be absorbed by porous materials like concrete and leave stains behind. While these stains may wash away over time, homeowners may prefer a faster way to get rid of unsightly stains. To remove moderate leaf stains, mix oxygen bleach with hot water and apply to stains using a scrub brush. Dark stains may require a tougher cleanser, such as one that contains trisodium phosphate. Some homeowners find success using a pressure washer to clean away leaf stains, while others rely on commercial leaf-stain removers.

Delicious Soup

Perfect For The Season

weather arrives just as prime entertaining season heats up. Those who will be hosting gatherings soon can expand their recipe repertoire to feed guests and keep them satisfied. Borrowing some flavors from the season can make entertaining festive and even more flavorful. Pumpkins and winter squashes are popular in fall, and their versatility undoubtedly contributes to that popularity. However, when chilly days require something to warm you up from the inside out, nothing can beat a soothing soup. And soup recipes can be altered to easily feed a crowd. Cooks can step out of their chicken soup comfort zones and try this recipe for “Roasted Pumpkin Soup With Pumpkin Crisps” from “The Complete Mexican, South American & Caribbean Cookbook” (Metro Books) by Jane Milton, Jenni Fleetwood and Marina Filippeli.

Cooler

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

With Pumpkin Crisps

Serves 6 to 8

3 to 31⁄2 pounds pumpkin

6 tablespoons olive oil

2 onions, chopped

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 3-inch piece of fresh ginger root, grated

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric

Pinch of cayenne pepper

4 cups vegetable stock

Salt and ground black pepper

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Fresh cilantro leaves, to garnish

For The Pumpkin Crisps

Wedge of fresh pumpkin, seeded 1⁄2 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Prick the pumpkin around the top several times with a fork. Brush the pumpkin with plenty of the oil and bake for 45 minutes or until tender. Leave until cool enough to handle.

2. Take care when cutting the pumpkin, as there may still be a lot of hot steam inside. When cool enough to handle, scoop out and discard the seeds. Scoop out and chop the flesh.

3. Heat about 4 tablespoons of the remaining oil (you may not have to use all of it) in a large pan and add the onions, garlic and ginger, then cook gently for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the coriander, turmeric, and cayenne, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the pumpkin flesh and stock. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 20 minutes until tender.

4. Cool the soup slightly, then puree it in a food processor or blender until smooth. Return the soup to the rinsed out pan and season well.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the pumpkin crisps. Using a swivel-blade potato peeler, pare long thin strips off the wedge of pumpkin. Heat the oil in a small pan and fry the strips in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, until crisp. Drain on paper towels.

6. Reheat the soup and ladle it into bowls. Top with the pumpkin crisps and garnish each portion with sesame seeds and cilantro leaves.tor.

Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate Cookies Are A Sweet Finale To Thanksgiving Dinners

Theholiday entertaining season begins on Thanksgiving. Anyone who has been tasked with hosting Thanksgiving understands the commitment required to prepare a delicious meal for guests, which often encompasses appetizers, several side dishes, and, of course, turkey as the centerpiece. Guests attending a Thanksgiving dinner can give holiday hosts and hostesses a break by providing dessert. Cookies are a popular treat. Thanks to their flavor, portability, and relatively short preparation and cooking times, cookies are a smart choice when bringing dessert to a holiday gathering. This recipe for “Flourless Chocolate Cookies” from Danielle Rye’s “Live Well Bake Cookies: 75 Classic Cookie Recipes for Every Occasion” (Rock Point) offers the added benefit of being flourless. That means that even those with gluten allergies or intolerances can indulge.

Flourless Chocolate Cookies

Makes 24 to 36 cookies

3 cups powdered sugar

3⁄4 natural unsweetened cocoa powder

1⁄2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

2 large egg whites, at room temperature

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 1⁄2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, sift the powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder together, then whisk in the instant espresso powder (if using) and salt until well combined. Set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the egg whites, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.

Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room between each one.

Bake for 11 to 14 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are set. Remove from the oven, and allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

EXPLORE THE BRONX ZOO’S ALL NEW PUMPKIN NIGHTS!

The Bronx Zoo opened in 1899 and is The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Flagship Park. It’s home to over 10,000 animals, and with more than 700 species, it’s the perfect place to inspire animal lovers of all ages.

Pumpkin Nights is their all new nighttime family Halloween event happening on Thursdays-Sundays now through October 29th! If you are looking for a unique and fun experience, you won’t want to miss this! Bring your loved ones and follow an animal-themed illuminated jack-o’lantern trail and learn about animal behavior after dark. Plus, enjoy games and treats! This event does not include animal exhibits.

Pumpkin Nights tickets are available for purchase online only and there are 2 designated time slots to attend: 6PM and 8PM.

Looking For Some Daytime Halloween Fun?

The Zoo also will be holding their annual family-friendly Halloween tradition, Boo at the Zoo, on Saturdays and Sundays now through October 29th. Come delight in amazing costumed entertainment by their stilt walkers and Halloween-themed puppets, enjoy Halloween crafts and pumpkin carving demos, have fun at their themed lawn games for the whole family and so much more. Tickets are available online.

For 2023 Popular Halloween Costumes

Costumes and candy are synonymous with Halloween. Individuals may spend weeks or months trying to come up with the perfect costumes for their trick-or-treating excursions or Halloween parties. Many children and adults also enjoy costume themes, in which they dress up to coordinate with others in their group. There is always a steady selection of classic costumes that appeal to Halloween revelers, including vampires, cats, witches, and pirates. One only needs to look to pop culture to come up with costumes unique to a particular year or era. The following are some costume ideas that figure to be wildly popular in 2023.

• Barbie™: Due to the release of the mid-summer motion picture “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie as the titular character and Ryan Gosling as “Ken,” there are bound to be many pink-clad trickor-treaters traveling through neighborhoods this fall. Barbie always has had an impressive wardrobe, so fans of the film can dress up in any of her signature looks.

• Ariel: Disney has reinvented many of its popular animated classics into live-action retellings, and “The Little Mermaid” took its turn this year. Life is more fun under the sea, so costumes for Ariel the mermaid and her underwater friends and foes figure to be popular.

• Creed: Rocky’s boxing spinoff series “Creed” gave fans its latest installment with “Creed III” in 2023. The boxing champ dons all-white or all-red color schemes in this movie, and fans may want to emulate that in their costumes.

• Geralt of Rivia: “The Witcher” fandom is widespread, and viewers were treated to another season of

the Netflix series this summer. This is the final season with Henry Cavill in the titular role (Liam Hemsworth is reportedly set to take over), so fans may be inspired to dress the part for Halloween this year.

• Jigsaw: “Saw X” will be released on October 27, and the Jigsaw Killer might be a choice for those looking to instill fear around the neighborhood.

• Wednesday Addams: Fans took to the inspiring new Addams Family spinoff that explores life through Wednesday’s eyes. With her signature black frocks and pigtails, it doesn’t take much to look like this macabre teen.

• Nepo Baby: The phrase “Nepo Baby” grew wings this year with the spotlight placed on many celebrity kids whose rise to fame may have been pushed along by their successful parents. It only takes a pair of jeans and a plain white T-shirt with “Nepo Baby” on the front to pull off this look.

• Ted Lasso: The main character from the Apple TV series potentially has made his last appearance on the pitch, as the most recent season,

which premiered in March, is rumored to be the show’s last. Nevertheless, Lasso’s goofy, down-to-earthisms and unique look will live on through those who wear his signature mustache, jacket, and visor.

Halloween costumes run the gamut of classics and pop culture references. This year people are bound to see some common threads in neighborhoods across the country.

Candy Is A Popular Treat On Halloween

While trick-or-treaters will often accept just about any confection in their bags and buckets, certain products reign supreme across the United States and Canada, according to RetailMeNot and Halloween Alley.

These include:

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat, Snickers, Skittles, M&Ms, Starburst, Twizzlers