October Nostalgia in the air
Texas has had two, TWO, chilly weekends this fall!
As stated in the previous post, I love fall. A lot.
One of my favorite things about this season is the air. THE SCENT? THE CRISPNESS? It’s too good.
Since the temperature drop, I’ve been taking more walk, finally able to pull out some more layering pieces (including my docs!!!), and fully embracing autumn.
Believe it or not, I actually got cold last night from the wind, it’s absurd.
Autumn tends to make me nostalgic for the past, and nostalgic for the future (if that’s a thing, but I think you get the picture).
I think of riding my bike to my Siti and Gido’s house on Saturdays to visit and needing a base layer for the wind. I think of being terrified of Halloween at school and yet stupidly excited for trick-or-treating. I think of pumpkin patches, elementary fall festivals, book parades, apple-desserts, and of course…candy (hello??)
Outside of the obvious October festivities, here are some incredibly nostalgic food experience, from my childhood to your adulthood.
Whataburger
Okay, this one is not that original. But!
Every other Friday night in the fall meant Whataburger for dinner.
As a kid in community theater (a very niche experience), dinner was a tight fit in between getting out of school and needing to be at the theater for a Friday-evening performance. I’d always eat half before getting to the theater, and eating the other half when I got back, specifically during the 10 o’clock news with my dad.
I know everyone has their weird food cravings/food things other people find gross. Mine is cold whataburger. Specifically, the Whatachicken, their gravy, and the chicken tenders.
Now being a hot girl with stomach issues and acid reflux….I don’t think I can handle eating this at 10 pm anymore, but points for childhood memories!
Chicken noodle soup (once more i don’t care)
I have written multiple times about my mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Because it’s worth writing about more than once. I don’t think I need to explain this one.
This is also a food I think that’s delicious cold? To each their own.
Meat Pies and Spinach Pies.
Another repeat worth repeating.
Both of these are acceptable to eat all year long, but taste especially good when it’s chillier outside. If my mom or dad got a call from Siti that she made meat pies, you better believe I hopped on my bike as soon as I could to go grab one.
Meatball Stew
Hearty and perfectly comforting. My mom made Giada’s recipe for Meatball Stew on a yearly basis once the winds were chillier.
Filled with green beans, potatoes, and of course, meatballs.
“American”/Comfort food as a whole??
Since we’re talking about hearty dishes, many “traditionally American” dinners come into mind with fall.
For example,
Meatloaf w/ mashed potatoes and pees
Chicken Pot Pie
Shepherds Pie (not my fav but my family LOVES this)
Pot Roast
Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Hearty, meat-centered dishes infused with nostalgia taken from bits and pieces of other cultures. Which in a way, is the majority of American cuisine, which is beautiful in its own way.
While I won’t be whipping out a rump roast or crock pot anytime soon, I look forward to creating new nostalgia in the kitchen this fall.
New nostalgia looks like using what’s in season in any way I can, while also finding space for old recipes and kitchen traditions.
Yeah. That’s it!
With Love,
Cara