Jaques Pepin's Gratin of Butternut Squash for Thanksgiving 2020

Butternut squash.                 Photo copyright Gary Walts 2020

Just made Jaques Pepin's Gratin of Butternut Squash for our Thanksgiving dinner in the year of the Covid 19 pandemic:2020 I was visiting the artist Tom "Captain Honk" Bintz at his home on Pillar Point in northern NY and found this recipe in a cook book by Pepin. It's quite simple & delicious. Just 5 ingredients.

You peel and seed the squash then slice it into 1/4 or 1/8th inch or so pieces. The same as if you were making scalloped potatoes. 

Peel & slice the squash. I like cooking with beer. This IPA is from Big Tupper Brewing Co located in New York State's Adirondack Mountains.    photo by Gary Walts

Place the pieces into a pan & cover with water. Boil the squash for 2 minutes. Drain in a colander. 

Boil the squash for 2 minutes then drain well in a colander.        Photo copyright Gary Walts 2020

Transfer the squash to an oven roof dish. Sprinkle a teaspoon of salt & half teaspoon of pepper on it. Pour 12 ounces of heavy cream over it. Stir it about some with a fork. Then lay 6 tablespoons of shredded parmesan cheese over it. Pepin's recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of the cheese, but in my opinion that simply isn't enough. Put the dish in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes and it should come out fantastic. 

Jaques Pepin's Gratin of Butternut Squash, This dish was simple, quick to make, delicious as can be, and was a hit for Thanksgiving 2020.                   Photo copyright Gary Walts

Halloween 2020 in the year of COVID 19

Jack O Lantern carved by son -in- law D at our house in Chaumont, NY. Founders All Day IPA. Halloween 2020.                                                     photo by Gary Walts

Halloween in Chaumont, NY, during this COVID 19 year. We were wondering what kind of turnout we would have for Trick or Treaters. Year in and year out we average about 100. I think our highest year was 115. A slow year would be 85. Most years we get a 90 to 100. Anyhow, not knowing what to expect we got prepared for 110 trick or treaters, knowing full well it would likely be slow because of the Corona Virus. We counted 53 last night. Half of a normal year.

We had a small family group here, 7 of us. The Better Half & I, her older daughter's family  of four, and a girlfriend of one of the grand sons. We had a great time. Food was Hanky Pankys, Roasted corn dip, a bar-b q beef dip, chicken wing dip, cheese & salami platter, meatballs & Italian sausage. Various beers, crackers and cherry mojitos. We also had a nice wood fire going in the backyard. The weather was pretty nice, a little cooler than some recent years, in the mid 40's. 

Halloween 2020, year of the COVID Virus. Phot of our house in Chaumont, NY. We had 53 trick or treaters this year, half of what we normally get.                                                 photo by Gary Walts