Food

A stromboli is kind of a cross between a grinder and a calzone. Bread dough is rolled out, filled with sliced meats, cheeses and vegetables, then rolled up into a tube and baked.

To serve, stromboli are simply sliced like a loaf of bread, creating a spiral baked sandwich that is perfect for large parties. If you like, you also can serve sandwich condiments (or even warmed marinara) alongside the stromboli slices for dipping.

We've offered suggestions for fillings; but mix and match to suit your group (or devise your own combination).

Chicken noodle soup may have a reputation for helping us beat the winter sniffles, but that doesn't make it health food.

Processed varieties, for example, can be loaded with calories, fat and sodium. And don't even get me started on the lack of flavor and hunks of tough chicken.

In my recipe for chicken noodle soup, I sidestep all these liabilities. I simmer the soup with real chicken and fresh vegetables, like carrots and onions, which are a great source of vitamins. The more veggies you add, the more nutrients you get.

Nothing can shatter those visions of a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving faster than illness caused by an improperly roasted turkey. Here are some tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to keep your holiday dinner wholesome:

Ÿ For optimum safety, stuffing a turkey is not recommended. For more even cooking, it is recommended you cook your stuffing outside the bird in a casserole.

Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the stuffing. The stuffing must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

Fall is in full swing and every farmers' market and stand is displaying its harvest of squashes. Americans were introduced to winter squashes by native Indians. Pilgrims and early colonists realized how easy they were to grow and how adaptable they were in many recipes.

Acorn, pumpkin, butternut, and Hubbard squashes have a hard, thick rind. The rind protects the squash and keeps it from spoiling for long periods, but makes the job of peeling it a challenge if you want to remove the rind before you cook the squash.