Sukkot & Fall Vegetables

Sukkot is one of my favorite Jewish Holidays.  I started a tradition when my girls were little.  I sent them to Jewish school so they could learn about being Jewish and make educated choices when they grew up as to what they wanted to follow and what not.   So to that end, every holiday had to be fun.  We did crafts...check out our awesome Sukkah decorations from too far back to remember!... and food - the girls loved to cook....

I've shared the Challah Story more than once but still smile whenever I think about the first time.  Joanna above and Sharron below.

But back to Sukkot,  It's a Harvesting holiday dating back to our nomadic days in the time of the Bible.  And we still build sukkahs - basically a hut with walls but no roof - to remind us.  We place branches over the top and can peek through to see the stars at night. You can get a glimpse of the inside and "roof" of grape vines we used in Montreal in the photo above.   We eat all our meals in it during the week of Sukkot.... unless you're like us and are fair weather only friends. 

Joanna & Ezra and the boys carry on the tradition. Too bad you can't see their "roof" of evergreen branches from their yard or Ezra who was busy with a friend trying to bring in the dock for the winter.  He did get leftovers, so don't worry.   Left to right...Boaz, Poppa (AKA my Honey), Joanna & Dov.  

And to celebrate Sukkot, the Fall Bounty in Nova Scotia and Presto Pasta Night Roundup #236, this week hosted by the wonderful HoneyB of The Life & Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch.  I made a truly delightful dish.

Rotini with Roasted Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms

I know it doesn't look pretty.  My "studio" didn't have great lighting, but trust me when I tell you it was caramelized and golden... rusts and bronze and vibrant orange in color with hints of fresh parsley, like evergreens that, all together looked like Fall in the country.   

Just an FYI... the kids plates have chicken, corn niblets and fruit.  Boaz refused to taste any pasta.  I guess it's another thing he's "allergic" to ... translate that to mean "I don't want any".  Dov loved it, as long as he could eat off Grandma or Mummy's plates.. and as long as there were no Brussels sprouts on his fork!  

If you have a great pasta dish, please send it of to grumpyshoneybunch (at) yahoo (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday and share it with Presto Pasta Night Roundup.  Just mention The Life & Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch and Presto Pasta Night in your post.   No blog but great pasta?   You can email the link to me and I'll post it for you... and the rest of us!