Winter Is Holding On

According to the calender we have entered Spring, but Old Man Winter isn't prepared to take leave of us just yet and produced some lake effect snow this morning as a reminder he is still in charge. He also gave me the perfect excuse to  bake a couple of Bush Delicata winter squash I harvested last autumn. Their bright color and delicious taste took the edge off of what was an overcast and gray day. And the seeds extracted from them will allow me to start growing another batch of these wonderful squash in a few weeks when Spring really arrives.

Mid-Winter's Delight

Among the embarrassment of riches available in the New World are the seemingly endless varieties of winter squash that can be cultivated here. Although the growing season here ended months ago and we're squarely in the middle of what is shaping up to be one of the snowiest winters on record, yesterday I retrieved a Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato squash from the dark, cool recesses of my garage and baked it. Its warmth, naturally sweet taste and aroma certainly took the chill off the season. It's only February. And winter can last up until the end of April in a bad year. Fortunately, I have a few more squash to see me through until the Spring thaw.