The History of Veterans Days

World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, had ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.

In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

WHAT'S COOKIN' IN NOVEMBER

We will start the month off with some good old fashion Apple Pie recipes in Honer of Veterans Day, and then we will talk Turkey. I will share some of family favorite Holiday recipes.

Pumpkin Pancakes

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cup Aunt Jermima Original Pancake Mix
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 3/4 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 eggs
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

1. In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, eggs, pumpkin, oil, and vinegar. Combine the dry ingredients, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Try maple pumpkin syrup. Mix 1/2 c. pure maple syrup with 1/2 c. or so pumpkin puree and a pinch of cinnamon. Heat it up until warm. Adds the perfect touch to these pancakes!These are good any season but taste best on cold winter mornings. You can use canned or cooked fresh pumpkin.

No Bake Pumpkin Pie

This is a very easy pie the base is cooked up on the stove with lots of spices, condensed milk, and egg until thick and creamy. Pumpkin puree is folded in, and then this rich filling is poured into a graham cracker crust. The fridge does the rest. Garnish with whipped cream and candied ginger. Give it a try you will add to your top 10 pie list

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
* 1 (.25 ounce) package unflavored gelatin
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

DIRECTIONS

1. In a heavy saucepan combine gelatin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in condensed milk and beaten eggs, mixing well. Let stand one minute, then place on burner over low heat, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes, or until gelatin dissolves and mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in pumpkin, mixing thoroughly, and pour mixture into graham cracker crust. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.

Cajun Spiced Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Double or triple this roasted pumpkin seed recipe, depending on how many cups of seeds you have. One large pumpkin will generally yield 1 cup or pumpkin seeds, and smaller pie pumpkins will yield about the same amount. Toss a salad with these seeds, sprinkle over a chicken dish, or serve as a snack.


Ingredients:

1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 scant teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste
paprika, for more color, if desired
a little salt, depending on saltiness of the seasoning
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon melted butter or vegetable oil

Preparation:
Rinse seeds well and get as much of the pumpkin pulp off of them as possible. Some of the small pieces are going to adhere, but they won't hurt the seeds at all, and might even add a little more flavor. Pat dry with paper towels. Don't let them dry completely on the paper towels, because they might stick!

Toss pumpkin seeds with seasonings. Combine butter and Worcestershire sauce; stir into seeds until well blended and coated.

Heat oven to 300°. Roast, turning from time to time, for about 45 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned and crunchy.