Finding Comfort in Fall

In a year unlike any other in recent memory, there’s something reassuring about the change of the seasons. It’s so ordinary! Leaves falling, just like they’re supposed to! So we rake our leaves (and fill out our ballots and wear our masks), and we thumb through the dog-eared pages of our favorite cookbooks searching for the comforting dishes of fall. 

The late autumn harvest brings treasures like delicata squash remind us not to overlook it. Delicata squash is a light yellow squash with a gentle sweetness and a velvety texture. We get ours locally and roast them to bring out their rich flavor, then combine it with shredded Brussels sprouts tossed with a hint of red pepper flakes. The little kick of heat, along with the gentle bitterness of the Brussels sprouts, finds an excellent complement in the natural sweetness of the squash. We layer the squash and sprouts on mozzarella over an olive oil base before dusting the pie with Parmesan as it comes out of the oven. 

In the forests, the piercing eyes of the mushroom hunter scour the duff, boots gently brushing aside fallen leaves, careful not to damage the goods. There, next to the fallen maple leaf, a golden chanterelle rises. The work of our friends at Foraged and Found Edibles is measured in baskets of these delicate earthy gems, which they deliver to our stores. Our seasonal Chanterelle Prosciutto pizza pairs the meaty chanterelles with La Quercia’s tender, prize-winning prosciutto baked on a bed of creamy mozzarella over an olive oil and garlic base. 

Another blessing of fall are pecans, which are harvested into November, making the timing just right for pecan pie to have found a place on our Thanksgiving tables. Never one to miss the moment, Gelatiamo has managed to turn the delicious flavor of pecan pie into an unforgettable gelato. Starting with fresh pecans, Gelatiamo caramelizes them to bring out their buttery flavor. Rich organic maple syrup sweetens the deal. If you’re a pecan pie lover, the result will leave you craving for more long after the last spoonful. Get a pint (or two) while supplies last.