By Rosalyn Queen
Each of us celebrate seasons in a different way and there are different things that remind us of each season. Just as snow reminds do us of winter, then mums and mushrooms remind us of fall.
I try to decorate my deck for each season and as I was putting out my pumpkins I realized that I needed mums to complete my decorations. Well, along came my friend, Markus Osborne from Shinnston with this huge purple mum. It fits right on my patio table and adds beauty to my fall decorations. I feel so good to have a friend like him. It adds a lot of warmth to my life. Thanks Markus.
Then comes the other fall goody. You can call it fungi, you can call it hen and chicken but to me and my family it is a mushroom.
Yesterday my phone rang and it was my dear friend Mary Barnett. I had not talked to her for a while and was so glad to hear frim her.. Before we hung up she sauce by the way her husband John had come in with a mushroom and did I want it. “Yes, my dear Mary”. I did want it. I can never express just what dear friends like this mean to me.
You never know if there will be mushrooms because the fall weather dictates just if they will come up. I think this rain may mean there is a bumper crop.
So started an effort of love. It took me two afternoons to clean it. I just could not decide how I wanted to prepare it. After much thought. I decided I would prepare Fungi saliata. This is the mushrooms put down in a crock with salt, garlic and peppers and seasoned with mint. It will take at least six weeks to get done, but what a treat for that Thanksgiving dinner. I also like to have them on Christmas Eve at our Feast of the Seven Fishes.
There are several other ways that they can be prepared and all of these recipes are in my cookbook, Arriverderci.
While volunteering at the Farmers Market. I have the opportunity to reconnect with many old friends and lately I reconnected with Tammy Marple. She makes the best peanut butter fudge and raspberry jam. The Market will be hosting the Health Rite Kitchen and they will be preparing healthy meals. We encourage everyone to come and take part on October 4 at the Clarksburg Farmers Market. It’s free and you will learn a lot..
The Women of Distinction luncheon will be held on Friday, October 24 at noon at the PWA. Mark your calendars and plan on attending to celebrate these women. The volunteer efforts of these women make a difference in our community.
Be sure to get out and enjoy the colors of the leaves. A wonderful artist creates a beautiful picture for us every year.
Take care stay healthy and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”