Samhain recipes

Samhain, one of my personal favourite sabbats, holds some of the more unique flavours of the season. Mixtures of apples, nuts, spices, squash, pumpkin, and others when combined fill the air with an aroma that can't be described as anything other than autumn.
The feasts held for Samhain are in respective celebration in honouring the deceased and the anticipation for the cycle to start again.

As the main meal I have no set recipes, but I do recommend anything with squash, turnips, corn, and/or pork.


Lamb's Wool

2 pints ale
8 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
Pinch cinnamon
Pinch clove
6 cooking apples

Pour ale into saucepan and heat gently until it bubbles. Stir in sugar and spices, and cook on low for 30 minutes.
Cut apples into slices without stems and seeds. Place in heatproof dish with a bit of water and bake uncovered on low until soft. Removes apples and place in punch bowl.
Remove spiced ale from heat. Pour mixture over warm apples. Serve warm.


Colcannon

10 large potatoes
1 head cabbage
1 onion (or scallions or chives)
1 1/3 cup milk
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Wash and peel potatoes. Remove eyes of sprouts and any green and cut into quarters. Boil.
Wash and chop cabbage and onion. Put into pot with potatoes. Cover and cook for 25 minutes or until tender.
Drain and return to pot. Mash (or whip) and stir in milk butter salt and pepper.


Pumpkin Muffins

2 cups flour
2tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2/3 cup cooked mashed pumpkin
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp dark molasses
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 ginger
1/2 tsp cloves (or allspice)

In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and buttermilk. Add flour to form a batter.
Preheat oven to 375F. In a medium bowl mix the pumpkin, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves til blended. Stir into the batter.
Bake for 15-17 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Makes about 12 muffins.


Have a tasty Samhain!