[MotoMichelle]

Just wondering if anyone's doing anything for the Autumn Equinox (or Spring for those of you in the southern hemisphere).

I usually celebrate the equinoxes and solstices in a quiet fashion. Usually seasonal baking and a nice meal. As a pantheist I don't really do much ritual.

I'm going to try my usual celebration this year, but it may be modified quite a bit or possibly nothing at all. Most of the stores around here are not open or barely stocked due to the hurricane, so I'm not sure if I will be able to get the supplies I'd need. We'll see.

Perhaps it'll just be a macaroni celebration.

[lizziep]

I was thinking a nice healthy vegetarian (or not, gotta trick my husband into joining me somehow) dinner will be in order. Something about fall makes me want to cook and be domestic.
I think I'll probably clean my house so it's nice and then cook. I'm working my way through this workbook on pagan spirituality so i'll probably spend some time with that and reflecting on coming back to a path that I never really left- just sort of sat down and stopped progressing down.

[owlmonkey]

Autumn is my favorite time of year-and the time when I start get an itchin' to be in the kitchen! I have a slew of new (healthy) recipes I cannot wait to try! I love making stews/soups/chilis because I set them in the crockpot to cook all day and dinner's ready when I get home, but my passion is baking. I can't wait to start making some homemade bread to go with my stew!

[MotoMichelle]

Originally Posted by lizziep

Something about fall makes me want to cook and be domestic.

Me too. Every year is the same feeling. Funny, eh?

[mamaspank]

I know for fall I love to get acorn squash and bake it with a little brown sugar -- with a lot of brown sugar. So good and earthy.

[needlestuck]

My home group is a very eclectic, pantheistic pagan 'kingdom' and we have our big ritual and the Hunt honoring Herne this weekend--I'll be cooking for it but I'm not sure what yet!

[MotoMichelle]

Originally Posted by mamaspank

I know for fall I love to get acorn squash and bake it with a little brown sugar -- with a lot of brown sugar. So good and earthy.

That sounds really good. I've never baked squash before. How do you do it? Just half the squash and sprinkle on brown sugar? What temp?

[mamaspank]

Moto -

You will love this recipe! Writing about it has inspired me to pick up a couple squash and make it tomorrow since it is going to be rainy in Idaho.

Preheat oven to 350 F

1 tbls of brown sugar -- or as much as you like, and I like a little more
1 tbls of butter

Halve the acorn

Add the sugar and butter and then make a little tin foil house over the small baking dish you use.

Bake for 45 minutes or little longer or shorter. Just test it around then with a fork and see if it goes through easily.

ENJOY!

[MotoMichelle]

Thanks! That sounds so great. I'll try it out as soon as I can.

[MotoMichelle]

Mamaspank - I finally tried the acorn squash with butter and brown sugar. It was pretty good but I'm thinking my squash was not ripe enough. I even left it in my frig for about a week before baking it.

When it was done the squash was a bit tough to scoop out and a bit crunchy even after 50 minutes of baking.

How do you pick a ripe acorn squash?