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.

Newport, Rhode Island festival celebrating culture, food, music, and fun for 21 years at the Newport Yachting Center

A Taste of Rhode Island

Two days out of the year Newport, Rhode Island is the center of attention by celebrating their finest restaurants, arts and culture. The Stop & Shop Taste of Rhode Island brings together all the culture of Rhode Island that attract the travelers and keep the locals around, featuring dozens of Rhode Island’s favorite eateries, continuous live entertainment brought to you by Southwest Airlines, culinary demonstrations, games, contests, prizes, a Cookbook Corner and more! And best of all, there will be the top foods from all over the state in one little town. The festival is also host to the yearly New England Oyster Festival sponsored by American Mussel Harvesters. You won’t want to miss showing off your Rhody Pride at the 20th Annual Taste of Rhode Island at the Newport Yachting Center in Newport, Rhode Island.

Nearly a 10-minute walk off of Pelham Street is the Cliffside Inn whom is hosting a Coastal New England Wine Tour Package for Late Summer & Fall of 2009. They have joined together with the Coastal Vineyards of Southern New England to offer this package including: a top-pick bottle of both red and white regional wine (or one sparkling) selected by New England’s Coastal Winemakers; wine tasting and tour for two at the Coastal Winery of your choice; 10% savings at select wineries on purchases of three or more bottles; Coastal Wine Tour Guide and Vineyard Passport. Guests at the Cliffside Inn can add this wine package to any reservation for an additional $50. Call 401-847-1811 for more details.

The best, fresh produce from local farms in Camden Maine

Top three places to get local, fresh, and the best produce in Camden, ME in Knox County

1. Beveridge Farm

This farm has a vast variety of fresh produce picked every day offering vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, Fall decorations, grass, hay and wood. There’s a self-serve vegetable stand and custom bush hogging services. It’s located 2.2 miles on the left from intersection of Main Street and Rte. 52 (388 Turnpike Drive) in Camden, ME. For more information call 207-763-3596 or e-mail cherylbv@roadrunner.com.

2. Cappy’s Chowder House, Inc.

Cappy’s is a family owned restaurant and bakery with a variety of home-cooked products to take home with you. Grab a bite to eat on the harbor then bring back jam, dressings, clam chowder, a gift pack, T-shirt, or or any of the many other products they offer. Since 1979, Cappy’s has been serving up the best in town with a full bar, comforting atmosphere, harbor views, and not to mention their traditional Maine Clam Chowder. They’ll even host your next wedding, clambake party, corporate meeting, or whatever you’re looking for the bigger parties. Check out their website or e-mail cappyschowder@aol.com for more information on the restaurant, catering, their store, about Camden, and much more. Cappy’s Chowder House is located at 1 Main St. in the center of Camden, ME and can be contacted at 207-236-2254.

3. Endless Summer Flower Farm

No matter what kind of flower, color, size, or texture, you’re bound to find the right one at the Endless Summer Flower Farm. Their specialty is the dahlia tubers, which for the amateurs is a perennial plant native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia that come in plenty of different colors and textures. This roadside flower stand carries 150+ varieties and 2,000+ plants only in flower season; August to October for flower, September to May for tubers. For more information e-mail info@endlesssummerflowerfarm.com or call 207-236-8752.

Only a few blocks away from all these exciting attractions is the Camden Maine Stay, a historical and New England country inn. Located in one of America’s most beautiful seaside villages, this relaxing, cozy, romantic, and very friendly home will suit all your accommodation needs on your next getaway vacation to Camden, Maine. For a brief history lesson, back when Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States, roads were dirt and Maine was still part of Massachusetts, Alden Bass built a house at 22 High Street. That stunning main house with an attached carriage house and a four-story barn has been renovated to welcome every guest to create the best experience. The Camden Maine Stay is the second oldest of the sixty-six lovely homes that are listed on the National Register of Historical Places in the High Street Historic District. Check out their website for more information on accommodations, prices, history, package specials and much more.

Cappy's Chowder House, Inc.

The Old Country Store and Museum – A New Hampshire historic attraction and museum

Perhaps the oldest in the United States, A store since 1781. 228 years old.

Who would have ever thought just a simple general country store could be a must-see place to visit in New England. Nestled in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire is among the oldest store in the country and also one of the oldest surviving businesses of any kind. The Old Country Store and Museum off Whittier Highway in Moultonborough, NH is celebrating 228 years of being the “place to go” when you need something. What makes this general store so unique is the history behind it all. In 1777, General Jonathan Moulton sold the land to Samuel Burnam “with barnframe thereon”. It was sold again 2 years later then the store was publicized in the Hollands New Hampshire (printed in London, England) as the only building in town. Since that time, the Old Country Store and Museum hasn’t moved and has only blossomed. The list below is just a preview of what to expect at the store:

Rabbit Hill Inn’s fresh, healthy cuisine from local Vermont farmers markets

The season has begun for you to enjoy only the freshest farm produce of the year. What’s better than a relaxing weekend getaway and knowing you’ll be eating the freshest produce around. Chef Matt, from the Rabbit Hill Inn in Vermont, highlights their menu with foods that come less than 60 miles away every day. This includes dairy, produce, herbs, poultry, and meats and their seafood the premium catch from the Main coast. This dedicated locavore Chef visits select farms and farmers markets daily for product harvested just a few hours before. As a result, this Four Diamond cuisine is truly extraordinary and refreshing. During your next visit, be sure to stop by the local farms for the freshest ingredients and plenty more delicious goodies such as locally roasted coffee, artisan cheese, chocolates, jarred and canned treats, flower, plants, and fine crafts. This could be why Vermont is one of the Top 3 Healthiest States in the USA!

Annual Chili Cookoff and the Snow Cap Inn- Bethel, Maine

19th Annual Eat the Heat Chili Cookoff and Firefighters Race
March 22, 2009
White Cap Lodge at Sunday River Ski Resort

Brace your stomachs for a chili-filled day at the White Cap Lodge. Here’s a brief idea of what will be going on for the chili cookoff:

10am to Noon – Firefighters’ Race
Firefighters from all over New England team up and head to Tempest Trail to ski down in full gear and a firehose. All proceeds will go to the Maine Handicapped Skiing

Noon – Eat the Heat Chili Cook-off
The cooks will compete and you will eat. Taste and vote on the Best Chili Cook in the area.

2pm – Chili Dog Eating Contest
Sign up the day of to become the Chili Dog Eating Champion.

All Day long…
WXLX promo with fun give away and plenty of live entertainment.

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Vacation Packages for Outdoor Adventures through Rabbit Hill Inn, Vermont

This year the Rabbit Hill Inn is offering more fun-filled getaways than ever. With any season packages, you’re bound to find the perfect vacation for you and your spouse or friend. Below are a brief on each package. For more information visit The Rabbit Hill Inn website or call 802-748-5168.

SNOWMOBILE PACKAGE

The Alpine Adventure Company will guide you through the breathtaking terrain of Francaonia Notch State Park. All equipment and guidance is available for you to enjoy your adventure stress-free. A two-night package includes food, friendly service, a warm and cozy atmosphere and guided snowmobile tours. Rates start as low as $699 for couples so make your reservation now!

WILD TRUCK SAFARI

What’s better than an extreme off-road drive in a 6-wheel drive Swiss army Pinzgauer vehicle? Alpine Adventure Company takes you through a thrilling ride in the wild trails of Barron Mountain in New England. Great music, gorgeous landscapes, and extreme fun. What more could you ask for? Oh, yeah… food. On this two-night safari package comes….

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New Chef Raises the Bar at Rabbit Hill Inn, Vermont

Rabbit Hill Inn proudly introduces accomplished Chef Matthew Secich

Food lovers may remember Chef Secich from several acclaimed establishments, including The Inn at Erlowest on Lake George (earning four stars from the Times Union,) The Alpenhof Lodge, in Jackson Hole, WY (noted by critics as creating the best dining experience in all of Jackson Hole), The Oval Room in DC (receiving frequent raves in the Washington Post) and most recently, Charlie Trotters in Chicago.

His impressive culinary journey began as a young gold-medal winning student at Johnson & Wales Culinary. He then spent several years with renowned chefs domestically and abroad, including ACF Master Chef Hartmut Handke, Patrick O’Connell of the famed 5 Star Inn at Little Washington, and Chef Craig Shelton of the Mobil Four Star, AAA Four Diamond, Relais Gourmand Ryland Inn in Whitehouse, NJ. In France, he studied at Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire, with Guy Martin at Le Grand Vefour, and with Raymond Blanc at La Manior Aux Quat’ Saisons.

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Thanksgiving in Vermont

Thanksgiving at Billings Farm & Museum
Woodstock, VT

Come celebrate Thanksgiving and Billings Farm & Museum’s 25th Anniversary. Grab everybody in the family for a Wagon Ride pulled by the Percheron teams through the farm. It’s running every Saturday and Sunday in November from 10am-4pm. In the last week of November you can learn about the Thanksgiving traditions in the Victorian Parlor during the holiday weekend. Just to top off the spirit, feast to a wonderful 19th century Thanksgiving meal prepared by costumed guides.

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Traditional New England Food

THE TRADITIONAL NEW ENGLAND FOODS

MAINE LOBSTER

Any New Englander can testify a lobster is worth that big mess and fuss. Dipped in a little butter, the Maine lobster meat tastes fresher than anything in the markets. Don’t forget your bib, the ultimate cracking tool, and the smallest fork for optimal Maine lobster eating experience. Try the Maine Lobster Bisque or look around at other great recipes for meal ideas.

CAPE COD CRANBERRIES

It’s been 120 years and Cape Cod is still making the finest cranberries. That spring Sandhill crane blossom is now harvested nearly 40,000 acres per year. So there’s plenty of those vitamin-C rich berries to go around. For the next two months (October and November) cranberries will be in their prime harvesting season. They’ll last in your fridge up to four weeks or just grab extra and tuck them away in your freezer for splendid Cape Cod Cranberries anytime of year. Change up the Thanksgiving desserts this year with a Cranberry Pineapple Cheesecake Tart.

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