Autumn in New York

Butternut Squash Soup

It isn’t as salty as tomato soup but it shares the same texture and richness. Ordering a bowl with a nice glass of wine and a dollop of cream is a heavenly little treat.

Pumpkin Pie....OBVIOUSLY.

My mouth starts salivating when the thought of pumpkin pie pops into my head. I’m a freak for pumpkin pie….I even buy extra cans of it during the fall just so I’m stocked through the year in case I ever get the urge to throw together a pie. I’d have to say it’s fairly difficult to mess up a pumpkin pie, texture is easy, cinnamon and whipped cream are essential…it all comes down to the crust. The crust can’t be too burnt or too soft….thus far New York City knows how to make the PERFECT pumpkin pies. Breathe in the nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger….ahhhhh.

Roasted Nuts

The first time I ever tried nuts from a street vendor in the city was after a long night boozing with some friends. They were shocked and horrified that I had never tried such a “delicacy.” Though they are around all year long, they are definitely a fall type food. The smell alone will make you nostalgic for the days of fall; rolling around in the bright colored leaves, sipping cider and carving pumpkins. Because the roasted nuts come from street vendors there isn’t a specific spot to grab them, look anywhere within a five block radius and you will find some!

Pumpkin Spice Latte's

Look at it, I mean is it even necessary that I say anything about that beauty above??? A little bit of nutmeg and liquid pumpkin pie topped with a heaping mound of whipped cream……Um, I like to make it a point to drink one of these everyday during Sept. and Oct. I’d even skip a meal for one. Venti please. Though Starbucks has the best pumpkin spice lattes (in my opinion) many other coffee shops are catching on to the fall trend.

Visit an apple orchard!!!

Though the city is beautiful in the fall sometimes we all need to get away. Take a trip outside on a weekend, bring your favorite basket and stock up on perfectly ripe pickins’. Apple’s, though they aren’t orange, are also a major staple in fall foods….bake an apple pie, or make homemade apple cider. Plus how often do you get to channel Johnny Appleseed? Never. So go play!

Sweet Potatos! In ANY form

Sweet potato’s are one of my very favorite foods, I just happen to enjoy them the most when they are in the form of FRIES. I feel less guilty eating them than I would eating a Biggie sized order from McDonald’s. The color is perfect for the season, not to mention they’re perfect for picking when it’s fall….which means, anything sweet potato will taste better now than ever before!

Baked Acorn Squash

I didn’t really know what to expect the first time I tried the baked acorn squash. Little did I know that after I tried it I would add it into “list of foods I’d eat if I ever had to choose a last meal.” Baked acorn squash is quite simple to make. It’s sweet, semi-healthy, filling and can be dressed up for a little bit of a “foodie” aspect if you’re trying to impress people at a dinner party.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Take some time to enjoy the leaves! Roll around in them, let them get stuck in your hair, create a huge pile and hurl yourself at full speed on to it. Rolling in leave, no matter what your age, is good for the spirit. Take advantage of the park, CENTRAL PARK, since it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL during this time of year. Nowhere else compares.

Play chess in the park!

San Gennaro festival!!!

That’s right, I’m a good Italian girl so I have grown up going to the San Gennaro festival my whole life. I didn’t even know WHAT it was until recently, all I knew was that there was incredible pizza (like that above), sausage and peppers, music, and proud Italians. Every family event of mine looks like an episode of The Sopranos (minus the guns) and the San Gennaro festival is that times five thousand.

Rent this!!!

You’re definitely going to need a box of Kleenex. A large box at that. Even though the movie may set you into a melancholy mood, the scenery and the love story is beautiful.