Sunday, November 21, 2010

Baby Summer Squash

It is hard to ignore the -33 temperatures, the blistering winds, and the knee high snow ... but bright, summery veggies sure help!


I came across these little cuties in Costco on Friday, and I had to try them.  They are easy to make - you blanch them for 1 minute, toss them in an ice-bath to cool, then saute for 5 minutes and toss with garlic and herbs.  You eat the whole thing, skin and all. They are tender, and have a mild, pleasant squash flavour.  I enjoyed them with chipotle spiced chicken on Friday for dinner.


I haven't been keeping track/ photographing my eats as usual because my blogging schedule has been off due to classes, and my trip to San Fran.  I plan to resume regular blogging in December once the semester is over.

My eats were pretty uneventful last week ... sandwiches, yogurt, eggs.  Nothing special.


On Saturday morning I made a loaded bowl of oatmeal with chocolate almond breeze, PB, cocoa bliss, maple flakes and a few walnuts.  It was a perfect breakfast for a piercingly cold morning.

On Saturday evening the hubby and I met up with some friends at a Belizean restaurant.  It is a really cool place because the owner takes all the orders, and then goes into the kitchen and makes all the food from scratch, with no salt or added fat, or artificial anything.  It takes hours to get your food, but you know you are getting traditional, "home-cooked" Belizean food.  The owner is the only waitress, and only cook.  Her husband helps out a bit too, but she pretty much does it all.

We started with samosas (baked) and spring rolls.


My meal was curried chicken with veggie rice, and coleslaw.  


I had a very relaxing weekend, watching TV with the hubby, going for a massage, and wandering around malls browsing for Christmas gifts.  It was nice to not have homework to worry about for a change.  I only have 2 papers and 1 presentation left to do, and none need to be done right away. It feels good.  

This week I am looking forward to an "American Thanksgiving Dinner" with friends!!!  Canada's Thanksgiving was in October, but we are celebrating the American Thanksgiving this year too :-)

On Saturday we have our first Christmas party of the season!  

Another thing I am looking forward to is the Grey Cup on Sunday!  The Grey Cup is Canada's Super Bowl, and my provinces team (The Roughriders) just won our play-off game today, and will be playing in the Grey Cup against Montreal.  It is a BIG deal!

What are you looking forward to?

16 comments:

Eden said...

Jolene, Im looking forward to you coming to la! Our weather is chilly but nearly as cold as you!
What is "traditional" for canadian thanksgiving? maple syrup? (I'm half kidding)

Simply Life said...

oh my gosh! I can't believe it's that cold there! wow, stay warm!!!

Anonymous said...

i can not believe it's already in the negative degrees!! don't apologize for lack of creative meals during the week...I'm too busy too!!! Anyways...I dunno If I can wait HOURS for a meal...I might be too hungry..hahaha for thanksgiving g and i are goin to his friend's house...I'm too lazy to cook thisyear!

Astrid said...

Those samosas look incredible. I need to learn how to make those. I am excited for Thanksgiving dinner at my boyfriends' family. I can't wait to tell everyone about my news and share with them an awesome dessert that I am bringing.
Can I come to one of your christmas parties? I wish I could!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, I saw those little squash at Costco yesterday and didn't buy them because I had NO CLUE what to do with them! Next time... definitely.

I am looking forward to Christmas shopping (which I haven't so much as thought about yet) and then Christmas BAKING!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Oh my gosh! -33? That is so freakign cold. It seems too early for that kind of cold. Sheesh.

I am looking forward to going home for Thanksgiving. I am not lookign forward to the drive, though, as we might get freezing rain + snow... I hate driving in winter conditions. Makes my tummy hurt to just think about it!

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

Those baked samosas look excellent. I want to try them!

Amber said...

Yummm those little squashs are so cute!

I might make a little Thanksgiving dinner for me and Eric this weekend too since I was gone for the marathon on our Thanksgiving!

Kacy said...

Those mini squashes are adorable!!

I couldn't survive in weather that cold. brrr!

Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear said...

Mmmmmm, spring rolls! I just had some last week, I keep a stash once in a while in freezer at home.

Good to hear that others have begun the Xmas party season too!

Meghan@travelwinedine said...

It will be nice to spend a couple of extra days with my husband and family this week for Thanksgiving!

Madeline - Greens and Jeans said...

I'm looking forward to actually being in my apartment and being able to unpack and decorate!

Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen said...

I get to see my sisters and I have not seen them in a year! One of them has had a baby since then!!! Sounds like you have a good week planned! I hope you have a great one!

Anonymous said...

Squash is generally something I stay away from because I'm never sure what to do with it. Thanks for the recipe!

As for Grey Cup, I hope the Riders have figured out that when people talk about the 13th man, that doesn't mean they get an extra player. Hope they can count this year! And holy smokes, weren't you excited when Freeman jumped on that ball?!? I was on the edge of my seat, but was pleasantly surprised when we beat the Stamps since the Riders were not looking good at the end of the season. I expect that the Als will be a little tougher, though.

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

Belizean restaurant sounds amazing! the WORK that woman does to make a living..my god!!!??! Wow. Imprssive!

Enjoy your american TG. That's so cute that a canadian is having an american tg :)

Lisa said...

Hard to imagine anything that cold! I was chilly here in San Diego, CA, yesterday with 62F ... even made soup to celebrate the rain.