Fall is Here!
Fall is the time to enjoy fun holiday items, beginning with Halloween and ending with Thanksgiving. This year, the Jewish holy day, Yom Kippur, also falls in October.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year and is observed on the tenth day of Tishri. This year it is October 7 at sundown. It is a day of fasting, reflection and prayers.
"May you be inscribed in the Book of Life" is the common greeting during this period as it is believed that on Rosh Hashanah the destiny of all mankind is recorded by G-d in the Book of Life. On Yom Kippur the Book is closed and sealed. Those that have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy New Year.
Yom Kippur begins at sundown when the family gathers for a large meal before they “fast” until sundown the following evening. This celebration is known as “break the fast” when the families gather after spending all day in the synagogue without food or drink, worshiping and asking G-d to forgive all their sins from the past year. It is one of the two most important Jewish holy days.
High Holy Day Fruits and Vegetables Most of the foods eaten during Rosh Hashanah represent a sweet future: Carrots, Raisins, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Pomegranates, Prunes and Honey. These are some of the more popular items eaten, as nothing should be sour or bitter: Leeks, Onions, Beets, Turnips, Quince, Gourds, Anise, Pumpkins and Zucchini These are all considered symbolic of fertility, abundance and prosperity, making them an important part of the Rosh Hashanah tradition. Some other items used in preparing traditional Rosh Hashanah dishes are: Squash, Yams, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Nuts, Grapes, Plums, Lemons, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Herbs, Pineapples and Apricots.
Halloween!
Every year, millions of Americans spend October 31st, dressing in funny, scary and realistic costumes, eating candy and fun treats. There are many stories about Halloween, some religious, other superstitious. Melissa’s thinks of Halloween and fun treats to eat that can be healthy, too! Pumpkins are a favorite for Halloween. Pumpkins can be orange, which is the most common color, or white, which are called ghost pumpkins. Generally people carve the pumpkins into a "Jack 'o Lantern" by making a face on the pumpkin. The inner seeds are also popular to bake as a crunchy snack. You can season them with salt or your favorite popcorn seasoning for a real treat. Pumpkins can also be cooked and eaten just like any other squash. The most popular recipe for a pumpkin is pie.
Fall is also celebrated with an assortment of other fresh items….Melissa's offers a complete variety of fall favorites:
Squash:
Butternut , Acorn, Spaghetti, Delicata, Gold Nugget, Sweet Dumpling, Kabocha and Turban are the most popular. Try them baked or cube them into stews. Some squash are difficult to cut. Here is a simple solution: Place whole squash in 375º oven for about 10-15 minutes until the outer shell softens enough to cut. Adjust cooking time accordingly, so squash does not overcook. Use in your favorite recipe. You can also scoop out the inside flesh and use the outer shell as a unique serving dish. This is especially fun to do with the smaller squash, using them for individual servings.
Potatoes:
Dutch Yellow® , Fingerlings, Baby Red, Baby White and Ruby Gold® are all delicious and easy to prepare. Baked or mashed is the most popular way to serve these potatoes… Leave the skin on for a healthier dish.
Fresh Fruit:
Fresh fruit like Pomegranates, Korean Pears, Starfruit and Persimmons are all very popular in the fall, continuing into the holidays. Remove the arils (seeds) from a pomegranate by carefully slicing the fruit in half, then submerging the half cut side down into a bowl of water… gently remove the arils from the pith and they will drop to the bottom of the bowl and the pith will float to the top. Use the arils as a garnish around a cheese ball, toss them into fresh salads or sprinkle them around the edges of a plate to make it look festive.
Don’t forget the Pearl Onions, Pine Nuts and hundreds of other delicious products Melissa’s offers to enhance every meal!
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year and is observed on the tenth day of Tishri. This year it is October 7 at sundown. It is a day of fasting, reflection and prayers.
"May you be inscribed in the Book of Life" is the common greeting during this period as it is believed that on Rosh Hashanah the destiny of all mankind is recorded by G-d in the Book of Life. On Yom Kippur the Book is closed and sealed. Those that have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy New Year.
Yom Kippur begins at sundown when the family gathers for a large meal before they “fast” until sundown the following evening. This celebration is known as “break the fast” when the families gather after spending all day in the synagogue without food or drink, worshiping and asking G-d to forgive all their sins from the past year. It is one of the two most important Jewish holy days.
High Holy Day Fruits and Vegetables Most of the foods eaten during Rosh Hashanah represent a sweet future: Carrots, Raisins, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Pomegranates, Prunes and Honey. These are some of the more popular items eaten, as nothing should be sour or bitter: Leeks, Onions, Beets, Turnips, Quince, Gourds, Anise, Pumpkins and Zucchini These are all considered symbolic of fertility, abundance and prosperity, making them an important part of the Rosh Hashanah tradition. Some other items used in preparing traditional Rosh Hashanah dishes are: Squash, Yams, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Nuts, Grapes, Plums, Lemons, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Herbs, Pineapples and Apricots.
Halloween!
Every year, millions of Americans spend October 31st, dressing in funny, scary and realistic costumes, eating candy and fun treats. There are many stories about Halloween, some religious, other superstitious. Melissa’s thinks of Halloween and fun treats to eat that can be healthy, too! Pumpkins are a favorite for Halloween. Pumpkins can be orange, which is the most common color, or white, which are called ghost pumpkins. Generally people carve the pumpkins into a "Jack 'o Lantern" by making a face on the pumpkin. The inner seeds are also popular to bake as a crunchy snack. You can season them with salt or your favorite popcorn seasoning for a real treat. Pumpkins can also be cooked and eaten just like any other squash. The most popular recipe for a pumpkin is pie.
Fall is also celebrated with an assortment of other fresh items….Melissa's offers a complete variety of fall favorites:
Squash:
Butternut , Acorn, Spaghetti, Delicata, Gold Nugget, Sweet Dumpling, Kabocha and Turban are the most popular. Try them baked or cube them into stews. Some squash are difficult to cut. Here is a simple solution: Place whole squash in 375º oven for about 10-15 minutes until the outer shell softens enough to cut. Adjust cooking time accordingly, so squash does not overcook. Use in your favorite recipe. You can also scoop out the inside flesh and use the outer shell as a unique serving dish. This is especially fun to do with the smaller squash, using them for individual servings.
Potatoes:
Dutch Yellow® , Fingerlings, Baby Red, Baby White and Ruby Gold® are all delicious and easy to prepare. Baked or mashed is the most popular way to serve these potatoes… Leave the skin on for a healthier dish.
Fresh Fruit:
Fresh fruit like Pomegranates, Korean Pears, Starfruit and Persimmons are all very popular in the fall, continuing into the holidays. Remove the arils (seeds) from a pomegranate by carefully slicing the fruit in half, then submerging the half cut side down into a bowl of water… gently remove the arils from the pith and they will drop to the bottom of the bowl and the pith will float to the top. Use the arils as a garnish around a cheese ball, toss them into fresh salads or sprinkle them around the edges of a plate to make it look festive.
Don’t forget the Pearl Onions, Pine Nuts and hundreds of other delicious products Melissa’s offers to enhance every meal!
