By Mary Ellen Psaltis
There’s so much more food to the four-day Thanksgiving celebrations than turkey and pumpkin pie. They may be the stars of Thursday’s show, but what about the rest of the time? I invested a bit of time hunting the shelves of both of Storman’s local grocery stores, Bayview and Ralph’s. I was rewarded with new snacking ideas and festive additions to the weekend’s menus. These ideas are appropriate for all ages.
Pomegranate
Both stores greet you with a lineup of glossy, red pomegranates that suggest the holiday season is really upon us. Fat and heavy, they are stuffed with juicy bits of optimum health. Supposedly you can check for ripeness by tapping the fruit and listening for a metallic sound. I picked ones that were evenly firm and shiny. It was tartly delightful.
To extract the seeds, cut in half and use a spoon to scoop. You can also eat them like you eat orange slices. Get the kids involved and they can snack along the way. Collect the remaining seeds to dress up your salads or to put on the inside of your leftover turkey sandwich. Throw them into your fruit smoothie. Mexicans put them on top of a holiday stuffed pepper dish called chiles en nogada. These seeds light up any dish.
A mere six pomegranate seeds caused the life of Persephone, the mythological daughter of Zeus and Demeter, to change dramatically. Her story explains why we have harvest growing seasons. Telling about her adventures and eating a few seeds are sure to create a memorable family time.
Chestnuts
Not far from the rosy pomegranate globes, you can find another celebrated food: the chestnut. We sing about roasting them on an open fire, but I think the thought of that is better than the reality. My first encounter was from a street vendor in Greece. That taste experience has tainted me for years (I am sorry to report), but I bought a few to give them another go. Once you get through their thick exteriors, it’s possible to extract the meat inside which is quite starchy. Try your luck with roasting them. Even if you don’t actually eat them, they make fabulous, inexpensive table decorations.
Popcorn
Our favorite evening snack is popcorn cooked the ‘old-fashioned’ way – using a heavy metal pot on the stovetop. Pour a healthy splash of oil into the pot along with two test kernels on a hot stove. When they pop, fill the pan with a layer of kernels, cover and shake. It takes the same time as microwave popcorn, but I get to pick my oil and there’s no messy bag. Storman’s carries Black Jewell, a premium popcorn from black kernels that pop white. They are smaller than the usual white or yellow ones, but are still tender and pop well. They carry several varieties of yellow and white popcorn and lots of microwave options.
I used to drizzle organic butter over the top of my hot corn, but now I find that if there is enough oil in the cooking, it doesn’t need any extra. A generous grind of big, sea salt creates popcorn perfection. My friend uses coconut oil, which adds a subtle touch of coconut.
You can flavor your popcorn any way your crew desires. Brewers yeast is popular and adds health benefits. It is a protein source and a good source of minerals like selenium, chromium and B-complex vitamins. Other savory options include garlic, Parmesan cheese, basil, truffle oil, or any spice that jumps out of your spice drawer.
If you are in the mood for a sweeter version, you can top your corn with cinnamon and sugar. Popcorn tastes good with just about anything on top of it.
What other snacking treasures did I find?
How about a container of candied fruit? Orange and lemon peels with cherries and pineapple pieces are the traditional mix, but you don’t have to make a fruitcake. You could sprinkle a little on your steaming oatmeal or use the mix in cookies. No one will be expecting this.
Looking for fresher fruit? It’s the citrus season. Find grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, and mandarin oranges. Some are super easy to peel, even for very small hands. They are sweet, packable and good for you.
Pick up a selection of olives from the vast bar. Kalamatas, green, sliced, marinated – lots of choices. Select a creamy feta with a baguette and a roll of hard salami and you have a classic collection for anytime eating. I was intrigued with jars of pickled vegetables: snap beans, dilly beans and crispy carrots. They’re fresh from the Northwest. It’s a low calorie option that suits many palates.
Both Bayview and Ralph’s carry a wide selection of cheese, crackers, chips and nuts. You can get bags of baby carrots and apples of all varieties. You’ll remember to cook the turkey and bake your pie, but think about all the other eating moments you will have – over football, after shopping and, of course, after napping. Someone’s always hungry. Make sure you’re ready.
Eat Well – Be Well
