Harvest Seasons 2023 - Edition Seven

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.

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

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.

GIVE BACK THIS THANKSGIVING ADOPT-A-FAMILY 2023

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.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR A FULL FAMILY THANKSGIVING MEAL:

• 4 cans of Vegetables

• 1 box of Stuffing

• 1 box of Mashed Potato Mix

• 2 cans or packets of Gravy

• 1 can of Yams

• 1 box of Corn Muffin Mix

• 1 can of Cranberry Sauce

• 4 cans of Fruit (Applesauce, etc.)

• 1 Dessert

• 1 Frozen Turkey (optional)

Fresh Produce To Enjoy This Fall

Ashot, humid days give way to cool fall temperatures, it is prime time to enjoy a new bounty of fresh vegetables. Homeowners may be ready to pick the vegetables they have been growing for the past several months. While many home vegetable gardeners focus on early spring plantings that yield the tomatoes, cucumbers, and squashes of summer, they also should consider summertime sowing that will yield tasty offerings throughout fall. Some of these cooler-weather stocks can be harvested just before frost sets in. Individuals ready to bite in to produce plucked at the peak of fall have many different options

to look forward to. Here are some of the common fall produce items that will be available at farm stands near you well into November.

• bok choy

• broccoli

• cauliflower

• kohlrabi

• leaf lettuce

• mustard greens

• spinach

• Swiss chard

• turnips

• beets

• Brussels sprouts

• cabbage

• green onion

• kale

• peas

• radishes

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.

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.

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.

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