October 31 marked the ceremonious evening where ghouls, witches, werewolves, and all creatures in between ventured out to indulge in addictive sweet and savory treatsÂ…aka Halloween candy. It also marked the finale of Northshore’s Fall Recipe Contest. Weeks prior, we asked our social media followers to submit their best fall recipes-those they make every holiday season to impress their family and friends. After receiving everyone’s submissions, the Northshore staff made, taste tested, debated, and voted on who sent us the best dish. It was hard work, but somebody had to do it! (One dish was so good that it was devoured in its entirety by just two people! We’re still giving them grief about it.) While all recipes were mouth watering and captured many of the signature seasonal tastes, only one could be the winner.
Christen Stumpf’s Pumpkin Pasta Bake (made by Associate Publisher Kelly Schetzle) stood out among the rest and was chosen as the crowd favorite. Pumpkin and pasta.-who knew? Christen’s dish features the warm taste of autumn and combines sweet and spicy elements. And let’s not forget the cheese! Italian sausage, pumpkin puree, and mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses are simply seasoned and topped with onion and spinach. While the veggie components will have your friends and family believing that this dish is somewhat “healthy,” there’s no mistaking that it’s good old-fashioned comfort food at heart. Pumpkin Pasta Bake Recipe
In a nod to traditional holiday meals, it was only natural that we should end our afternoon of taste testing with dessert, and Glenice Boyd’s Apple Pumpkin Tart with Pecans (baked by Production Manager Jessica Talbot) is definitely worthy of an honorable mention. Combining two powerhouse flavors into one dish is not an easy feat, but Boyd’s recipe, which was packed with cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, and ginger, truly tickled our taste buds. Apple Pumpkin Tart with Pecan Recipe
Thanks to everyone who submitted a recipe for our Fall Recipe Contest. To try one of the submitted seasonal dishes, click on the recipes below:
Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Garnished with Maple and Bacon
Pumpkin Gnocchi with Brown Sage Butter
New England Harvest Bundt Cake
Grandma Maria’s Rustic Northern Italian Risotto With Wild Autumn Mushrooms
Slow Cooker Harvest Pork Tenderloin
Harvest Pumpkin Muffins with Cinnamon Walnut Streusel and Maple Butter
Apple Pumpkin Tart with Pecan Recipe
*Denotes made, taste tested, and voted on by Northshore magazine