Chelsie's Mexican Food Blog

Don't throw out those seeds after you carve your pumpkin! Check out this recipe for Pepitas and turn those slimy innards into a delicious and crunchy snack for the whole family to enjoy. And not only are they tasty, they're good for you too!

This recipe features fresh pumpkin that is slow-cooked until soft, then glazed with piloncillo. It is deliciously sweet and fat-free. Orange zest flavors the Candied Pumpkin to perfection and the cinnamon adds the perfect warmth for a wonderful fall dish. This dish is also used for Day of the Dead celebrations and placed on the altars for the deceased spirits to enjoy.

Some of us food guides here at About.com have chosen our favorite Halloween sweets and treats recipes for the upcoming festivities. Check out this fun variety of Halloween Treats including my favorite- Sugar Skulls. But if crunchy spiders, candy fingers or dirt cupcakes are more your style, then we've got recipes for you too. After you choose a treat and make them, wrap up each treat separately to hand out to your friends and family, or make a big batch for your Halloween party.

_{Photos (c)2007 to Elizabeth La Bau, Chelsie Kenyon and Linda Larsen licensed to About.com}

If you have made these festive Sugar Skulls or plan to, please send me a picture of your work so that I can add it to the Sugar Skull Gallery featuring sugar skulls from around the world. Please e-mail your Sugar Skull pictures to me at mexicanfood.guide@about.com

This soup features a lightly seasoned broth with hearty chunks of pork and tender hominy. Traditional flavors of cumin, oregano and cloves add to the authentic taste of this Posole. You can also make it ahead of time and freeze it in single portions for a quick meal. Make some soft and chewy Flour Tortillas to enjoy with the soup and sop up the last few spoonfuls at the bottom of your bowl.

Does your child always find cookies in his or her lunch box? If so, try substituting their usual cookies with this soft and chewy Pan Dulce, a lightly sweet bread. You can find this treat at most Latino bakeries which are called "Panaderias," but why not make it yourself? It not only tastes great, but it is fun to make and will create a wonderful aroma throughout your home. You can even use your child's favorite color for the topping.

_{Pan Dulce (c)2007 Chelsie Kenyon licensed to About.com}

As the weather starts to cool down, those warm and hearty recipes that might weigh you down during the hot summer months are starting to sound appealing again. Here are a selection of some of my favorite Recipes for Fall that bring out the best of the fall season with autumn ingredients like pumpkin, beans, chiles and apples. The list includes main dishes, side dishes and sweets.

If you're looking for a spicy red sauce this recipe for Chiltomate has all the bases covered. The delicious earthy and smoky flavors come from the roasted ingredients such as tomatoes, onions and garlic. Habanero chiles provide flavor and intense heat which is very typical of sauces and salsas from the Yucatan region. Chiltomate pairs well with Poc-Chuc which is a slow-roasted pork dish.

The "Cry of Dolores" was performed by the Mexican President at midnight of September 15th. Mexican citizens celebrate and party the night away with swigs of tequila, shots of tomato and orange flavored Sangrita and Margaritas. Then in the morning they revive themselves with a large steaming bowl of delcious Menudo served with tortillas, onions and cilantro. Menudo has been heralded with many medicinal properties, relieving hangovers being one of them.

On September 15th and 16th, Mexico commemorates an important event. This is the day when Father Hidalgo rang his church bell and called upon everyone to fight for liberty. The ensuing war against the Spanish lasted for 10 years, and eventually Mexico won it's independence. This cry is re-enacted throughout Mexico in the town plaza's every year. The entire month of September is considered a celebration of the revolt, with the festivities culminating on midnight of the 15th during El Grito, which is a re-enactment of Father Hidalgo's call. During September, restaurants specialize in traditional Mexican dishes such as Chiles en Nogada a dish with green chiles topped with a white sauce and pomegranate seeds. The colors of this dish are green, white and red symbolizing the Mexican flag. Although the dish requires a bit of effort, it's unique flavors are worth the work.