Halloween is one of the oldest holidays with origins going back thousands of years. The holiday we know as Halloween has had many influences from many cultures over the centuries. From the Roman's Pomona Day, to the Celtic festival of Samhain, to the Christian holidays of All Saints and All Souls Days. The Halloween we celebrate today includes all of these influences, Pomona Day's apples, nuts, and harvest, the Festival of Samhain's black cats, magic, evil spirits and death, and the ghosts, skeletons and skulls from All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day. Click here for a complete Story of Halloween.


Pumpkin Carving: Tips In Three Easy Steps

Pick the pumpkin of your choice, keeping in mind that the larger the pumpkin and the smoother the surface the easier it will be to carve.  Pick a ripe pumpkin without bruises or nicks for best results.
 
Step 1: Choose your carving tools -- our favorites are boning and paring knives. Make sure your carving knives are sharp.  Sharp knives are not only safer, but they're easier to use and will help you cut smoothly through your pumpkin. Fortunately, you don't have to be an expert to put a razor sharp edge on your knife. A sharpener such as the Chef'sChoice® EdgeSelect™ Model 120 can make sharpening easy.
 
Step 2: Now that you've sharpened your knives, you're ready to carve. Spread newspaper over your work area to avoid a mess. Next, determine which side of the pumpkin you'll be carving. With the boning knife, cut a large enough circle around the stem to be able to reach inside the pumpkin. Lift the lid off and set it aside. Remove the pulp and seeds from the inside of the pumpkin and wipe down the outside to remove all debris.
 
Step 3: Go to ChefsChoice to download the above pumpkin carving pattern or create your own.  Choose your design and size it to your pumpkin.  Tape pattern on area you want to carve. Use metal nail or ice pick to trace design onto pumpkin through the pattern. Once you've scored the design, use the boning and paring knives to complete the job. Enjoy your pumpkin and have a happy and safe Halloween.


Halloween Treats:

Winter Squash

A Pumpkin Harvesting Picnic

Pumpkin Walnut Cheesecake

Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Cake


Easy Halloween Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 package cupcake or cake mix
1 container Ready-made Vanilla Frosting
Orange food coloring
1 tube black or dark brown cake decorating gel

Instructions:
Make cupcakes according to instructions on package. Mix vanilla frosting with orange food coloring and frost cupcakes. Decorate cupcakes with decorating gel to make spiders, webs, etc.

Makes 24 cupcakes

Dave's Gourmet
Scare up a little fun this Halloween with a dash of Dave's Ghost Pepper hot sauce.   You may have heard of the Naga Jolokia (Ghost Pepper), which is the new hottest pepper in the world.  Now try it.   "So hot it's Spooky", this sauce will liven up your spook-tacular seasonal menu. $8.99





Gourmet Sardinia

Pasta on Sale!  Fregula & Malloreddus Pastas, regularly $8.50, are on sale for $6.00 per bag. Here is a unique recipe where you can uses the pasta:

Cold Pasta Salad with Baby Artichokes




Gourmet Sardinia

Send the essentials of the Italian Pantry to your family, friends,
and colleagues for the holidays!  Perfect for the Italian aficionado, any "foodie," or those who enjoy quality Italian products.  Enjoy a bag of individually wrapped delicious Sardinian cookies and you can choose from Apricot, Cherry or Amaretto flavors. $12.50 per bag.



Gustiamo
Follow Piennolo Vine Tomatoes from Casa Barone as they climb to fame. Nothing can stop them (not necessary to speak Italian, these images speak for themselves...). There was never a better time to taste them: as bursting with flavor as always, as fresh as ever, Piennolo Vine Tomatoes from Mount Vesuvius are just back at Gustiamo. Secure yours and smile to the Fall. A vine tomato which grows on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius National Park, the Piennolo is protected by the Slow Food Presidia. In Neapolitan, Piennolo, means "appeso" in Italian, "hanging" in English. This, because in the winter, in Naples, the tomatoes are stored in the home attics hanging from the ceiling, kind of like a prosciutto. $14.00 per 1.1 lb. jar.



Lillie Belle Farms
Chocolatier Jeff Shepherd of Lillie Belle Farms Handmade Chocolates was chosen as one of the top ten chocolatiers in the United States in 2009.  This award, from Dessert Professional magazine, honors the ten North American-based chocolatiers whose confectionery craft exemplifies the use of chocolate, and whose contributions have elevated the chocolate industry. Personally, I LOVE the Lavender-Infused Caramels with Fleur de Sel on top!


For additional shopping ideas, visit our Shopping Page.


New Articles:
 
Chocolate

All About Hot Chocolate. Do you know the differences between hot cocoa and hot chocolate, and are you aware of the great number of these products now available? Stephanie Zonis explains.

Travel
 
On the Right Tracks in Switzerland. Keith Allan and Lynne Gray set aside four nights for their journey to Switzerland on the almost silent electric trains that run like clockwork.
 
Traveling with Kids

Special Events: A Cubs Game at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois. Elaine Sosa Labalme & son Steven believe taking in a game at a classic ball yard has special meaning.



October Is
 
National Apple Month, Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month, National Dessert Month, Cookie Month, Eat Country Ham Month,
National Pork Month, National Bake and Decorate Month, National Pizza Month, National Vegetarian Month, National Popcorn Popping Month, Seafood Month, National Caramel Month, National Chili Month, Pasta Month, Pickled Pepper Month, Pretzel Month, Sausage Month, Seafood Month, Spinach Lovers Month, National School Lunch Week, and National Tomato Month.
 
 
October 1: World Vegetarian Day
October 2: National French Fried Scallops Day
October 3: National Carmel Custard Day
October 4: National Frappe Day; National Taco Day
October 5: National Apple Betty Day
October 6: National Noodle Day
October 8: World Egg Day
October 9: Moldy Cheese Day
October 10: National Angel Food Cake Day
October 11: Columbus Day
October 12: Cookbook Launch Day; Old Farmer's Day
October 14: National Dessert Day
October 15: National Roast Pheasant Day; Mushroom Day
October 16: Sweetest Day; World Food Day
October 17: National Pasta Day
October 18: National Chocolate Cupcake Day
October 20: Brandied Fruit Day
October 21: National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 22: National Nut Day
October 23: National Mole Day; National Bulk Foods Day
October 24: National Bologna Day
October 25: World Pasta Day
October 26: National Mincemeat Day
October 28: National Chocolates Day
October 30: National Candy Corn Day
October 31: Halloween; Carve a Pumpkin Day; National Caramel Apple Day