Top 10 autumnal treats
As the nights grow longer and temperatures drop below zero, there are certain seasonal foods and drinks that will start appearing on restaurant and cafe menus up and down the country. Countryfile Magazine rounds up the usual suspects alongside some less well-known delicacies.
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1.) Apple Chutney
Perfect for spreading on biscuits or crackers on a cold winter evening, apple chutney also makes great use of any leftover cooking apples you may still have in your garden. Seasonal spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg can also be added to give it a Christmassy feel.
2.) Cinder Toffee
Usually eaten on Bonfire night in the north of England, this crunchy honeycomb style toffee is the ideal treat to take with you if you plan on venturing out for a long winter walk. Light, sugary and delicious, it will help you keep going over hill and dale. Alternatively, enjoy in the comfort of your own home with a nice hot drink.
3.) Parkin
If you decide to try your hand at making cinder toffee, then the perfect companion for it is parkin, a deliciously soft and often sticky cake which also originated in northern England. Parkin is easy to make, is best enjoyed a few days after baking and can be kept for up to two weeks. It’s simplicity and longevity made it particularly popular with the working classes during the Industrial Revolution.
4.) Mulled Wine
A traditional seasonal drink that dates back to the 14th Century, mulled wine is the perfect beverage to serve up to guests at a Christmas party. The wide variety of different spice combinations that can be used to prepare it mean that there is a mulled wine recipe out there to suit almost anybody.
5.) Pumpkin Pie
Halloween may have come and gone, but pumpkins can be used for more than just jack-o’-lanterns. Although originally an English recipe, pumpkin pie has been adopted by Americans as a staple food in their Thanksgiving celebrations.
6.) Stollen Bites
If you fancy something a bit different this festive season, then these delicious bite size fruit and marzipan treats may be for you. Traditionally, stollen is the German equivalent of the British Christmas cake, shaped like a large loaf of bread and without the marzipan. But if you just want something tasty to nibble on with a cup of tea or coffee then these are perfect.
7.) Vegetable Soup
When October arrives so do many seasonal vegetables, and a brilliant way to enjoy these is to chop them, blend them, and stick them in a soup. Best enjoyed with a thick slice of crusty bread, this broth will help you keep warm on a chilly winter evening.
8.) Seasonal Casserole
As temperatures drop and long days of Christmas shopping start to loom, there is nothing quite like a steaming hot casserole to comfort you in the evenings. Whether it contains meat, veg or a few slices of deliciously melted cheese, this winter warmer is sure to get you in the festive mood.
9.) Gingerbread Breakfast.
Gingerbread is a popular autumn pleasure, and is normally eaten as dessert after lunch or dinner. But why not buck the trend, and prepare a dish of this warm spicy delight first thing in the morning?
10.) Eggnog
Like mulled wine, eggnog is a traditional English Christmas beverage believed to have originated at some point during the medieval period that can be enjoyed with or without alcohol. Serve it hot, sprinkle a little spice on top, and it will help keep you toasty on a cosy night in.
For recipes for any of the above, please visit BBC Good Food Magazine.
