820-Lancast«r Farming, Saturday, November 8,1986
THE
MICRO
mi \ J
LAN!
BLOOMER
Acom squash and sweet potatoes
are two vegetables which are
plentiful now. These hearty yellow
vegetables are full of carotene,
which your body converts to
Vitamin A. These yellow
vegetables are as good for you as
they taste.
They cook well in a microwave
too, and can be prepared on high to
utilize the microwave’s great
speed. Baked sweet potatoes and
squash take just a few minutes to
bake, instead of the hour or more
they need in a range.
When cooking these vegetables
whole, don’t forget to pierce the
skins in several places so they
don’t explode in your oven! To
make peeling and slicing them for
casseroles easier, partially
precook them whole. Microwave
for 4 to 5 minutes a pound, then let
them cool enough to handle. The
seeds in the squash are more easily
removed after partial cooking too.
You don’t often find a microwave
recipe as golden and pretty as this
Sweet potato casserole.
Sweet Potatoes
and Apricots
2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3
large or 4 medium)
116-ounce can apricot halves
V 2 cup coarsely chopped nuts, such
as pecans or walnuts
% cup packed brown sugar
(>4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1. Pierce potatoes and
microwave on high for 10 minutes,
turn over halfway through. Let
cool enough to handle easily. Peel
and cut in 1-inch slices.
2. Drain apricots, reserving
juice. Arrange potatoes and
apricots in a greased, 1 -quart
flat casserole or dish (8-inch
square or 6xlo-inches). (If there
LET SEAL CRETE DRESS
UP THE INTERIOR OF
YOUR CHURCH IN ITS
“SUNDAY BEST”
Don’t neglect your church’s ceiling
and walls any longer. Call Seal Crete and
dress up your church’s interior in its
“SUNDAY BEST”.
Take advantage of Special Fall
Discounts by calling today.
Other Specialities Include:
• Steeple Painting • Stucco & Plaster Walls, Painting
• Restoration & Repointing & Waterproofing
of Stone & Brick • Sandblasting & Pressure Washing
• Clear Waterproofmgs • Concrete Repairs
• Roof Coatings
COMMERCL^
For FREE Estimate CALL 859-1127
*Jhc.
RENTING & WATERPROOFING
« 0,2, BOX 4t7 Ephrata. PA 17522
are potato slices which are less
done than others, put these near
the edge or in the corners.)
Sprinkle chopped nuts over top.
3. Combine brown sugar, salt,
orange rind and cornstarch in a 2-
quart measure and stir to mix. Stir
in Vz cup of the reserved apricot
juice until smooth, then add
margarine. Microwave on high for
2V 2 to 3 minutes, stirring twice,
until sauce boils and thickens.
Pour evenly over casserole.
4. Leave casserole uncovered
and microwave on high for 4
minutes, until sauce bubbles hard
around the edges. Spoon hot sauce
from edges over the middle of the
casserole. Microwave on high for 4
to 5 minutes longer, until bubbling
and glazed all over and the
potatoes are tender. Let stand,
covered, for 5 minutes. Serves 4 to
5.
Tips: To double recipe: double
ingredients and use a 2-quart
casserole. In step 3, use a 4-cup
measure and microwave for 5 to
s'z minutes. In step 4, increase
microwave time to 12 minutes,
spooning sauce over middle twice.
• To make ahead of time:
Prepare through step 3. Cover and
refrigerate until needed. Add 5 to 6
minutes microwave time in step 4
(10 minutes if you’ve doubled the
recipe). A flat casserole heats
faster than a deep one.
Baked acom squash can be filled
with many delicious combinations.
Two of my favorites are below.
Molasses or maple syrup and
chopped nuts are also good.
Baked Squash
Halves
For each 2 servings:
1 whole acorn squash
‘3 cup filling
1. Pierce squash with a fork and
microwave on high for 5 minutes.
Cut in half, scoop out seeds, place
cut bide up in small microsaie
bowls or a small casserole.
2. Combine filling ingredients
and mix well (see below). Divide
filling evenly in squash centers.
Microwave on high for 5 to 7
minutes longer, until filling is hot
and squash is tender. Cover and let
stand 5 minutes before serving.
(During the standing time the
filling flavors the squash and it
becomes more tender.) Each of
these fillings will fill one squash (2
servings):
Sweet and Simple
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
cup packed brown sugar
Pinch salt
teaspoon cinnamon.
The following filling is lighter in
calories and fats.
Light Fruit
Filling:
1 small apple, peeled and
chopped
1 orange, sectioned and chopped
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons margarine, melted
Tips: Acorn squash may vary m
size from V 2 pound each for small
ones to over 1 pound each for the
biggies. The exact microwaving
time is difficult to give because of
this variation. Here’s a rough
guide for increasing the quan
tities;
• For 4 servings: double
ingredients and times. In step 1,
"Experience And Quality"
From Concept...
To Design...
T 0 Completion...
TRIPLE H Construction
29 South Charles St. Ephrata.PA 17522
Here’s one way to make sure
you have the right flush pan ...
ask for Agri^Plastics
WE MAKE YOUR WORK CLEANER, FASTER,
AND HEALTHIER
FRAME UNDER THE PAN
The drain can be installed on either end or center tor
installation flexibility
Requires no piping or plastic fittings to connect units
or valves
Wears exceptionally well requiring little maintenance
The open pit is eliminated ending pit odors
Ends pit drafts and lessons stress on baby pigs
Less energy is required because less ventilation is
needed
Less ventilation means less heat loss
The units can be easily cleaned with a garden hose or
pressure washer
The system elimma*e most concrete costs in new
construction
Units can be valved separately or by rows
Needs no auger or expensive cleaning system
Normally has eight days capacity
tui 11 squash over halfway through.
• For 6 servings; triple
ingredients. In step 1 increase time
to 10 minutes and turn squash over
halfway through. In step 3,
microwave for 14 to 18 minutes.
Rearrange squash halfway
through
ANNAPOLIS - The second
annual Women’s Agricultural
Forum will be held Thursday, Nov.
20th in Annapolis.
This year’s program includes a
workshop on effective lobbying,
speakers talking about
“Maryland’s Best Product;
Agriculture,” a discussion on
agricultural trends in international
trade, and an outlook for
Maryland’s prospects in
agricultural exports.
First held in 1985, the forum
proved to be such a success that it
will become a regular event each
Fall. It is designed to provide an
update on agricultural matters.
The forum is open to all interested
persons and is not limited to
women only.
Ph0ne:717.738-2142
Custom Builders of Dairy, Hog, Poultry, Horse, Storage,
Residential And Commercial Buildings.
For Easy Swine Waste Removal
Use With Farrowing Stalls And Nursery Pens,
Md. Women's Ag Forum
Sated for Net. 20
FRAME OVER THE PAN
4 x 4
• For larger quantities: Com
plete through step 2, then bake at
350°F. in your range oven for 30 to
40 minutes until tender.
Note: The tunes above are for
microwaves with 600-700 watts of
power. For 500 W, add 10-15
seconds to each minute.
Copyright 1986 Lam Bloomer
Registration begins at 9:15 at the
forum site, the Holiday Inn on Riva
Road, just west of Annapolis.
Those wishing to attend should
contact Pat Stabler, c/o Forum,
600 S. Frederick Avenue,
Gaithersbury, Maryland 20877.
Her telephone number is (301) 948-
6744. A $lO registration fee, to
cover a luncheon, has been set.
Sponsorship of the forum is by
the University of Maryland’s
Cooperative Extension Service
Home Economics Department, the
Maryland Extension Homemakers
Council, the Maryland Farm
Bureau Women’s Committee, the
Maryland State Grange and the
Maryland Department of
Agriculture.
j* #
•—iJ-