Simpler Living Blog

Relish the Harvest

How do we perceive the changing of the seasons? Is it the arrival of the first hard frost, falling leaves fluttering to the ground, the apple harvest and bright orange pumpkins? To me it is all of the above. After a long, hot summer, I embrace the sights and smells of the cooler weather. Such calming, comforting memories are aroused by the smell of the smoke from the wood stove in the crisp morning air.

Many of my childhood memories are tied directly to the splendid flavors of autumn foods. While the cutting of the corn and harvest of the soybeans are in full swing, there is a rich satisfaction in a bowl of hearty soup, a hot casserole and a slab of yummy pie.

Enjoy the bountiful harvest. Pull out the recipes saved from family members over the years. Prepare a warm comfort food to savor on a cool autumn night. Call together friends and family to share good food, old and new memories.

Recipes in This Roundup

Butternut Squash Soup

Lehman's

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 medium potatoes, cubed
1 medium butternut squash – peeled, seeded, and cubed
1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large pot , and cook the onion, celery, carrot, potatoes, and squash 5 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Pour in enough of the chicken stock to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 40 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.
Transfer the soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. Return to pot, and mix in any remaining stock to attain desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.