my city life

with Maxine

Manhanga. That’s what we call pumpkin in my native tongue—or at least one of several gourds. It’s also the season to enjoy all types of gourds in the U.S.—pumpkin, butternut, and acorn squash to name a few. Gnocchi may be an Italian dish, but I love it, and I think most of you on this page right now would agree! I had to apply a familiar (and seasonal) addition other than the regular potato to this recipe. These dumplings when done right are soft and typically tossed in a buttery...

Do you need a savory brunch dish for the fall? I have one for you right here!Pumpkin isn’t something I grew up eating a lot of, even though it’s an important vegetable in Zimbabwe. Of course, in the U.S., it's the symbol of fall, and over the past decade, I’ve come to embrace it.I like other members of the gourd family such as butternut and acorn squash, but pumpkin has a subtly you can dress up nicely with a combination of herbs and spices. This lends itself well to a not-so-overpowering savory...

Across the U.S. where apples are plentiful, the return of autumn brings with it an abundance or spike in popularity of the fruit. It’s the season for picking, and many people indulge in the activity for some family fun. What to do with all your produce?If you’re someone like me who doesn’t eat "an apple a day," you’ll want to create some recipes to make use of them! Apples are great in that not only do they offer a lot of nutrients, but they are also versatile and can be used for both sweet...

The sweet potato. I've used it many times in several recipes on this website. It's one of the most widely eaten starchy tubers in Zimbabwe, so I had to use it.There is nothing better than a thick, rich, flavorful soup, and it’s not hard to achieve at all. No need to go to a restaurant for it! It’s all about the right combination of spices, rich broth, and a solid base. If I had more time and patience, I may have made my own homemade broth for it! Homemade is usually best. Since sweet...