Blogroll | Congregation Darchei Noam

Armed warfare is devastating for both humans and nature in all of its life forms. By pursuing justice and building trust through effective and mutually beneficial actions we can slowly make our dreams of peace for “all that dwell on earth” a reality.  Here’s an example from CBC radio’s What on Earth’s recent broadcast.  Climate Unites Us: Hope for Peace in the Middle East.

When enough people find common cause in ending warfare, pursuing justice and making effective efforts to address climate change then peace will have a chance.   We do what we can personally to ease the suffering and counteract the environmental effects of conflict and our modern lifestyles. 

Building relationships of friendship or trust in peacemaking always includes breaking bread and sharing stories over a meal. 

Save Our Planet tip – Use seasonal and local produce to mitigate environmental degradation

By using local and seasonal fruits and vegetables, we reduce the energy cost of getting food to our table. Food waste is a large contributor to greenhouse gases so it’s time to offer pumpkin ideas and recipes beyond roasting the seeds. Pumpkins can be stuffed or used as ingredients in stews, soups, baking, etc. Use its shelled, roasted seeds as a garnish for pumpkin soups and other cooked dishes. 

Roasted stuffed Pumpkin, vegan

Pumpkins can be stuffed with grains, buckwheat or quinoa.  Select a pie pumpkin size according to number of servings needed.  Cut off the top with angular, zigzag cuts to that the top is easy to remove and replace. Remove seeds and stringy fibres. Partially cook pumpkin in the microwave or oven until just starting to become tender.  For the filling, prepare your favourite grain, rice or quinoa dish. Stuff the pumpkin, add the top, and place on a baking dish, preferably the one it will be served on.  Otherwise, to prevent the bottom from falling off, place aluminum foil or parchment in the baking pan.  Roast at about 325 deg. until tender.  Serve with tope still covered and remove to unveil the completed creation. The pumpkin and filling are scrumptious.

Shomrei Adamah members have not tried pumpkin recipes from the following websites, but as experienced cooks, we selected a small variety of ones that should work fine. There are different levels of preparation time and difficulty involved.  The websites demonstrate a myriad of possibilities and ideas for the use of pumpkin as an ingredient.  The small, pie pumpkins are best for recipes and are great for filling, We use the large pumpkins meant for carving as chunks in mixed dishes and have frozen them cut into large pieces to freeze for later use.   

Many of the recipes use canned plain, pumpkin filling.  They usually specify Lilbby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin.  It is the best one for pumpkin pies and we know from experience their recipe makes pumpkin pie haters into lovers. Seems the pumpkin in Libby’s cans are a strain of Dickinson squash, close to butternut squash, suggesting that you can also use our local butternut squash in recipes calling for pumpkin.  Roast the squash first for best flavour and texture.

Here’s a recipe for making your own pumpkin puree.

Easy Pumpkin puree from scratch.

Butternut Pumpkin Waffles

Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup

Baked Pumpkin Soup, dairy 

For adventurous cooks, Curried Pumpkin and Buss Up Shot [Paratha Roti] vegan 

For baked goods and other recipes see TasteofHome.com and FoodandWine.com  

Betay’avon ~~ Bon appétit!

Threefold Blessing for the Planet

Let us infuse this beautiful planet with our loving kindness.
Let us work to make Mother Earth and her creatures well and healthy.
May we create a world community of great joy, peace, and understanding.
May it be our will and the will of all humankind.
And may we bring a smile to God's face.

Adapted by Gloria Boxen