A Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Recipe and The 19th Annual Keene Pumpkin Festival – Keene, NH

The 19th Annual Keene Pumpkin Festival

For the last 16 years, downtown Keene has been painted in a palette of earthy orange hues for one weekend in October. In nearly 4 days (Saturday, October 17th, 2009),  about 70,000 people will crowd the streets of Keene, NH to see be a part of the festivities in the 19th Annual Keene Pumpkin Festival. Plenty of activities will be running such as concerts, pumpkin contests, pumpkin carving, craft and food vendors, pie eating contest, seed spitting contests, fireworks, and even two weddings! More than 800 helpful volunteers will donate their time and energy to make the festival a fun experience. Just a fun fact, the largest pumpkin ever displayed weighed in at a hefty 1,300 pounds by Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene and maybe this year there will be something even bigger so don’t miss it! Parking is $10 at the events lots and shuttle buses are $30 from the bus stops. Click here for more information on parking, directions, lodging and much more.

Want to cook with some fresh pumpkin rather than the canned for a change? Avoid field pumpkins, which are bred for perfect jack o’ lanterns: they tend to be too large and stringy for baking. Ask your grocer or farmer for sugar pie pumpkins or other flavorful varieties: small and sweet, with dark orange-colored flesh, they’re perfect for pies, soups, muffins and breads. A medium-sized (4-pound) sugar pumpkin should yield around 1½ cups of mashed pumpkin. This puree can be used in all your recipes calling for canned pumpkin.

Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

“A deliciously moist and tangy cranberry pumpkin bread.”

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PREP TIME	15 Min
COOK TIME	1 Hr
READY IN	1 Hr 25 Min
Original recipe yield 2 – 8×4 inch loaves

SERVINGS

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Servings
US METRIC

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup egg substitute
• 1 (16 ounce) can whole cranberry sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray two 8×4 inch loaf pans with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon and ground cloves in a large bowl and mix well. Set aside.
3. Mix the egg substitute, cranberry sauce, pureed pumpkin, vegetable oil and grated orange zest together. Add this mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just moistened. Pour batter into the prepared pans. Sprinkle the top of each loaf with the chopped nuts.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let loaves cool for 10 minutes then remove from pans. Can be made even lower in fat by substituting 1/3 cup applesauce for the 1/3 cup vegetable oil.

America’s best jazz-pop vocal quartet – The Manhattan Transfer at the Colonial Theatre in Keene, NH

The Manhattan Transfer at the Colonial Theatre
October 9, 2009
Keene, NH
“A jazz-pop vocal phenomenon, for over 35 years…”

Back in 1972, a group of four American singers put their jazz vocals together to release their first album under the new line-up, The Manhattan Transfer. As they skyrocketed through the Box charts throughout the 80’s and 90’s, they reached the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. Since that time, they have continued to stay together and produce more albums with their sizzling four part jazz harmonies. Now, you may have the chance to see them live at the Colonial Theater. The Colonial in Keene, NH continues to fulfill its promise as the flagship performing arts center for the Monadnock region, presenting some of the best performers from around the world. On Friday, October 9, 2009 at 8pm, the Manhattan Transfer will be performing at this truly cultural town hall and destination venue. Tickets are currently selling from 44-58 depending on the seat. Click here for more information on the theater, directions, ticket prices, and much more.

A few tunes you may know are:
Operator – the 1st hit single in 1975
Birdland – brought their 1st Grammy award (Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal, or Instrumental) in 1980
Tuxedo Junction – their theme song debuted on their 1st album in 1975
Boy from New York City – a cover from the 1965 hit by The Ad Libs and won Grammz award in 1981
Route 66- another Grammy-winning rendition in 1982
White Mystery – best-loved song R&B- chart single
Twilight Zone – their 2nd U.S. top hit

A great way to finish off the weekend is to relax with the Stress Reduction Package with the Chesterfield Inn. On this weekend getaway offer, you’ll receive a massage or facial at Devine Day Spa, a bottle of Chardonnay and chocolate covered strawberries on arrival, two nights stay, one gourmet dinner for 2, and full country breakfast each morning. This comfy, and relaxing farmhouse inn is located only 25 minutes down Rte. 9 and will make your work-week stress disappear with all their luxurious amenities.