Tastes of fall available locally
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Equality & NIxburg News
Jennifer Williamson
I got my first fall CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) from Coosa Fancy Farms, and I asked for double of the butternut because it is one of my favorites!
I know some hate it because it is hard to peel and chop, but I like to cut it in half and scoop out the seeds then bake, roast it, or grill it, flip it over, add some butter, salt and pepper, and serve. I am usually pressed for time so most often put the halves in an electric pressure cooker for 8 minutes and they are done.
My favorite soup includes bacon, onion, sage, thyme, garlic, celery, carrots, granny smith apple, and butternut squash. Sauté the bacon, onion, garlic, sage, and thyme, then add all the other ingredients in an electric pressure cooker with some chicken broth for 12 minutes. Purée in a blender, add some heavy cream, salt and pepper to taste and garnish with some cranberries, bacon bits, and chives.
I will also be trying a nice savory pie with feta and sage soon. Baked, roasted, grilled, puréed… all are wonderful ways to prepare butternut squash.
Jenny’s General is open for business and has pumpkin spice prepackaged in half-ounce and one-ounce sizes, as well as bulk if you want your own jar filled. It is on sale, as well, at 25% off the regular price.
Also new in stock is sparkling water from Dram, which is lightly infused with herbs and sugar free. Backroad Country snacks and pickled hog hocks are also in stock. And order is in for some charcuterie trays of meat and party trays of cheese.
There is thought of sandwich-making items; however, until business picks up having short shelf life items like bread is not ideal as Jenny’s buys inventory up front out of their own pockets, and if it doesn’t sell there is no repayment of that investment, there is no income to pay the utilities, and no sales tax for the county.
Equality Performing Arts Center’s (EPAC) next event is a live performance from country music singer Hunter Hogan, tonight, September 22. Originally Duane Parker was booked, but he called to reschedule for July of next year because of his current touring schedule.
While it is not mandatory, you are encouraged to bring a dish of shareable food for our “Potluck,” and if you can afford to drop something into the donation jar for the music, it helps keep the lights on. The EPAC provides free coffee, iced tea, water, and fresh-popped popcorn, as well as some of the potluck offerings.
The Equality Neighborhood Watch meeting for this month is the fourth Thursday, September 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Please plan on attending and enjoying community fellowship, the potluck and sharing community information.
I depend upon my readers to share with me what is happening within your organizations, churches, neighborhoods, groups, or family to share in next week’s column. Please contact me; call or text 256-531-6460 or email at coosacafe@gmail.com.