Autumn 2013 has arrived!

Sep 30, 2013 by Amanda

Autumn has arrived! The air has a nip to it, crisp and cool. The leaves are colorful as they gracefully fall to the ground. Ahh yes, the aromas of apple cider, pumpkin pies, spiced lattes, popcorn balls, caramel apples, hot chocolate, with tiny little marshmallows, pecan pie as pretty much everything is full of sugar and spice. Yes, autumn has arrived. “Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!”

HUMBERT WOLFE

As we give time for thanks, and gather together with family and friends to celebrate all the wonderful occasions autumn has to offer such as Fall Forward, Halloween and Thanksgiving. I had been thinking of all the wonderful parties that are filling many homes and wanted to share a recipe that I am sure will be a party pleaser; the Pumpkin Cheese Ball.

The Great White Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Ingredients

2 (10-oz.) blocks extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded*

1 8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened $

2 (4-oz.) goat cheese logs, softened $

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Braided pretzel, muscadine vine and leaf

Crackers and assorted vegetables

Preparation

Stir together first 4 ingredients. Shape mixture into a ball to resemble a pumpkin. Smooth pumpkin's entire surface with metal spatula or table knife.
Make vertical grooves in ball, if desired, using fingertips.
Press pretzel into top of cheese ball to resemble a pumpkin stem
Place muscadine vine and leaf beside pretzel.
Serve with crackers and assorted vegetables.

*Extra-sharp Cheddar cheese may be substituted.

Note: This was tested with Cracker Barrel Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese. To make ahead, wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap, without stem, vine, or leaf, and store in refrigerator up to two days. Attach stem, vine, and leaf before serving.

Yield: Makes 12 appetizer servings Total: 15 Minutes

By adding just a few herbs or substituting different cheeses you can transition this wonderful Pumpkin Cheese Ball throughout the autumn season; be it a Halloween Party, Fall Back Party and of course Thanksgiving!

Your guests will enjoy the Pumpkin Cheese Ball paired with the delightful Moscoto Dolce NV from O.W.E. This sparkling wine is another crowd pleaser boasting harmonious hints of sage and peach dancing on the palate with a nice creamy finish. It is also a perfect sparkling dessert wine and will accompany many other dishes and goodies such as cupcakes, chocolates, cake pops and assorted nuts & candies.

Organic Wine Exchange has a wonderful selection of wines from Old World to New World that I know you will enjoy for any occasion. Here at The Cork we believe in all things Organic and I’m pleased to say that O.W.E wines are both Organic and Bio Dynamic. The wineries produce grapes without the use of inorganic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.

For those of you looking for samplers or gift sets for the Holidays there are plenty to choose from. One of my favorties is the five bottle mixed sampler! Which includes a Prosecco, Pinot Blanc, Bordeaux, Zinfandel and a sparkling Moscasto. This sampler is the perfect pairing to your fall meals and if you sign up for the O.W.E newsletter you will receive 20% of your wine order today.