Western Pennsylvania Mensa presents.... Winter Harvest

We're having a heat wave today-it's supposed to go the whole way up to 50! Everyone in the neighborhood is busy with the last harvest. Joyce, Jerry, Phil, and I are all running around like maniacs picking the winter vegetables. Last year I let the root crop go through February. When I tried to dig up beets for Christmas dinner, the ground was frozen solid. Well, that isn't going to happen this year. By 5 pm tonight everything is going to be stored in my cellar (I hope).

This is not my family's favorite time of year. They don't like what's on the menu. I try to make fun and exciting edibles. Last night we snacked on parsnip chips while watching Star Trek Voyager. For supper tonight I'm trying brussel sprouts flambe-if that ain't excitement, what is? Some people you just can't please. I tell you, you have to have a thick skin to feed these guys. The younger daughter refers to my pumpkin puffs as "barf biscuits." The first born calls my cabbage-carrot burgers "veggie scabs." My husband just says he can't eat much of this stuff because it gives him the winds. Yessir, a lesser person would fall to pieces trying to serve up nutritious meals featuring my bountiful winter harvest.

The other gardeners in the neighborhood keep me strong, though. We trade recipes and cooking hints. Joyce's broccoli-cheese popover recipe is my favorite. Although Phil's sauerkraut salad is a close second. Jerry's rutabaga fudge has got to go-I ended up flushing most of it. I'm currently putting the finishing touches on a red beet quick bread with butternut-cream cheese spread. Yum-I can hardly wait to share this one with the gang.