  A frozen hand in punch is a Halloween tradition! Gloves are available in the housewares section of any department store. (Sun Media/HO) |
Halloween is only a few days away, and we're all in the mood for some spooktacular sustenance!
Whether the grown-ups are gathering for a traditional monster mash bash, or the kids are gearing up with costumes for school parties and trick-or-treating, it's all about having a howling good time.
Research shows Halloween is one of the most popular events of the year and Canadians really get in on the fun.
According to Car l ton Cards, (in a Pollara survey completed on behalf of the Retail Council of Canada), nearly 68% of us plan to celebrate by wearing a costume, handing out candy, decorating the house or hosting a party.
And candy sales spike dur ing Halloween, with monthly sales of confectionary and snack food sales soaring during this time; Canadians spend an average of $59 on candy, pumpkins, costumes and decorations.
Who spends the most? Albertans, while those from British Columbia spend the least.
And, again, men will be spending more on candy, chocolate and Halloween treats compared to women!
Halloween's an excellent excuse for a party for kids and adults alike, notes Sharon Parrish Bowers in her excellent Ghoulish Goodies (Thomas Al len & Son) . "Every North American child knows from the time he can walk, talk and chew candy corn that Halloween is the event of the year," notes the author.
Aren't we all just kids at heart? Let the haunting begin!
Here's a sampling of sensationally sinister and delicious food ideas courtesy of Ghoulish Goodies.
rita.demontis@sunmedia.ca
SCREAMING RED PUNCH
A frozen hand in punch is a Halloween tradition! Gloves are available in the housewares section of any department store.
1 new rubber surgical glove
8 cups (2 L) apple juice
8 cups (2 L) cranberry juice
(or cranberry and pomegranate)
4 cups (1 L) ginger ale
Rinse glove inside and out several times with cold water to make sure it doesn't have any powder coating. Fill with water and tie wrist tightly closed with a twist tie. Freeze solid
Mix juices and ginger ale in a large punch bowl. Cut glove carefully o hand and fingers and float hand in punch.
NOTE: Adult parties can include alcohol to punch.
SWAMP CREATURE TOES
They look fantastic, taste even better.
1/2 cup (125 ml) whole, skinless salted almonds
Green liquid colouring
2 cups (500 ml) semisweet chocolate chips
1 bag 8-in. (20 cm) pretzel rods (about 12)
Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. In a small, stainless steel or glass bowl, toss almonds with about 10 drops of green colouring.
Carefully spread green almonds on a plate to dry. Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat on HIGH for 60 seconds, stir well. If not quite smooth, heat in 10-second bursts until smooth. Avoid overheating which can cause chocolate to turn into a sti mass.
Carefully break each pretzel rod into three pieces. Dip a broken piece about 3/4 way into melted chocolate, leaving a broken end visible. Lay dipped pretzel on a prepared baking sheet and lay a green almond on top of dipped end.
When all "toes" are decorated, place sheets in fridge or freezer to fi rm chocolate.
Serve cool.
HEALTHY HOWLING
Halloween is certainly a time for treats and permission to plunge into that trick-or-treat bag -- to the detriment of our hips and health!
You can stay healthy during the spook season by making just a few changes to what you serve at your party or offer at the door when kids come calling -- like switching from fried chips
to baked, or offering fruit juice boxes or even bottled water with spooky labels.
Other offerings for parties and treat bags courtesy of Dietitians of Canada (dietitians.ca): Howling Healthy
- White or chocolate milk
- Smoothies
- Fruit cups (pieces or puree like applesauce)
- 100% fruit bars or shapes (e.g. Fruit to Go Bars, Squiggles)
- Small packages of raisins
- Yogurt tubes (try these frozen)
- Milk puddings (low fat types are preferred)
- Cheese strings or small cheese cubes with crackers
- Plain popcorn (orange-coloured for Halloween is now available)
- Cereal bars (not dipped in chocolate or yogurt)
- Snack packs
- Baked chips
- Graham crackers
