Autumn - a chance to hunker down

The equinox, and a selection of cookery books to take us through the season

More than half way through September already, I feel so behind in relation to the season and what it has to offer! Every time I log into substack to read something amazing I'm reminded of the fact my last post was August although I've been enjoying the 'notes' feature!

I'm reminded that the 23nd marks the equinox, signifying the onset of fall in the northern hemisphere and serving as the official marker for autumn here in Scotland. Although, with the past week's wind and rain and the leaves beginning to turn, it comes as no surprise that the darker nights are on their way.

The equinox, a celestial event that occurs twice a year and marks a moment of equilibrium, a balance between night and day, a transition for the planet. Perhaps a moment of natural harmony for the Earths axial tilt and the changing of the seasons.

As a cook, I relish this transition. Preparing meals becomes more straightforward, and the need for comforting dishes feels entirely justified. It's time to embrace hearty stews once more, and the occasional weekend crumble doesn't seem out of place. The vegetables, which I may have sometimes taken for granted by being available all year round at the supermarket now take center stage, arriving at the supermarket with a newfound vigor and freshness that I'm eager to savor.

On my list:

• Leeks

• Pumpkins and squashes

• Carrots, Turnips and Parsnips

• Sweet Potato

• Kale & Cavolo Nero

• Beetroot

• Plums

• Apples

• Pears

The good food website provides a seasonal calendar and I'm surprised but shouldn't be that it includes Fish as well.

I scan my cookery books and wonder which ones need dusting off, a last ditch attempt at working through the ones I got for Christmas and that January birthday! I tried to settle on five which I know is too many and you've got to love a trier! I couldn't do it...so I've got a couple of wild cards that I picked up from the library at the weekend a long with a bonus one for good measure.

The eagle eyed will realise there is nine! See my problem, it must have snuck into the pile.

So far on the autumn menu

• an apple cake from Sarah Ravens Garden

• a stewed lamb recipe from the Curry Guy

• salmon Kofta's from the Curry Guy

• slow bean soup from the Cooks book

It's a plan anyway, somehow trying to mix it up with a few learnings along the way which I hope to share.

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Notes, of substack note since the last newsletter:

On Substack:

• Turkey Curry – ready steady cook style curry from left over take away sauce

• Tree to Table – Grated Apple Muesli

• Sausages and Black Beans on Toast – ready steady cook strikes again

On the Blog:

Aches and Pains of a Munro Bagger and I discover the world of Ultra Processed Foods. A trip to the DoveCot studio and the driving lessons have started.

Digital Garden:

Small progress being made, the library which I need to add these books to along with any notes in the shed.

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This is the newsletter from Scribble and Scran. If you have read this far, bless you, it's taken a small battle against priorities and interruptions to pull this together, in amongst scanning a legal document through to going up and down a ladder to fix a curtain rail. These big old Edinburgh houses keep giving! I’m trying to write a cookery book, which has become more about learning about the practice, the process, slow work and this post is more about learning in public. Thank you.

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