Easiest Fudge

So, it’s December. I’m still not entirely sure how that happened, because I can assure you that I spent the entire month of November thinking that it was October, and now, here we are, a month later (and apparently, according to my internal clock, two months later). I’m sure the warm weather here messes with your circadian rhythms, as surely as living in Alaska for a month in the summer will guarantee that you require less sleep. It has been warm here (Arizona, not Alaska), but in the week that I’ve been back after Thanksgiving in Colorado, we’ve had rain twice, and several cloudy days. It’s not exactly snow (and it’s supposed to be almost 80 on Monday), but I’m taking what I can get.

Thanksgiving Round-Up

Oh man, y’all – I have been slacking, slacking, slacking here. I should definitely stop making promises, like how I’m going to share the recipes from my FarmBox, or anything even remotely involving guarantees. Not worth it. For the record, everything is going super well on my end, which partially accounts for my absence. It’s been a busy fall with grant-writing, new data analysis techniques, and lots and lots of quality reading (and dog time, obviously). I’ve been to some new places, new trails, and done some new things – all good. And now, because I have my hat in hand, and no new Thanksgiving recipes for you, I’m here to provide you with  a round-up of things I’ve made in the past, things that are traditionally on my Thanksgiving table, and some other beautiful and wonderful suggestions from others. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, wherever you may be, and whomever you may be with.

• A wild and wooly account of American Thanksgiving in Australia
• How to prepare a whole pumpkin, for all your pumpkin needs
• Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
• Two Recipes for Pumpkin Muffins (may I just say – they’re both wonderful, but the first is my current favorite)
• Wheat bread for this vegetarian stuffing

And, from around the web:

• I hope you’ve already seen this etiquette guide by Bon Appetit, but if not… (sadly, my own family will not be following some of these well-thought out ideas, but alas).
• This awesome recipe guide, state-by-state (really intrigued by cranberry sauce with chiles, courtesy of Arizona)
• Traditional, fool-proof pumpkin pie, for those of you who are into that sort of thing (dairy-free alternative here)
• Having made this apple pie twice last year, I can attest to the fact that it is heavenly. Go forth. Make it. Never use another recipe ever again (unless it’s this one)
• For an unconventional side, this is the best savory tart ever. Ever.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday!

CSA Week One and Two: Kohlrabi and Turnip Chips

Well, I’m back in Arizona. After spending the summer in some very different places, it’s almost reassuring to be back in a familiar place. It would be entirely reassuring except that it’s 103 today, and I’m supposed to think that it’s “cool”. I remember arriving here last year and thinking that it was just the absolute worst, and I think that I’m past the point of thinking it’s the absolute worst (it is, but it’s actually better than it was last year, so I feel less validated in my complaints), and I’m on to thinking the people who live around me are totally crazy. I saw a guy running when it was mid-day and 97 degrees today. I saw a woman running in pants when it was 80 degrees the other morning. I understand that it’s all relative, but I don’t think I’ll ever understand running in pants at 80 degrees. I can barely wear pants to class!