by Diana Viola

Native American Indians lived with respect for the earth. In this harmony they developed legends that explained the phenomena of green leaves turning brilliant red and yellow. One such legend said that the hunters of heaven slew the Great Bear. As it was slain, its blood fell from heaven onto the earth below, coloring the leaves. The victorious hunters gathered around fires to cook the prized meat. The fats dripped from their fires, coloring the leaves with many shades of yellow.

The days grow shorter and the air cooler. Tomatoes disappear from the garden, though now we have kale and pumpkin. Apple trees give apples that are never so crisp and juicy. We pull out the soup pot and cook those hearty, warming soups that were no part of a summer barbecue. We collect in the warmth of our homes, joining around the dinner table.

Autumn holidays celebrate the passage of the seasons. All Soul's Day, Halloween, Dia de los Muertos - all are celebrations of spirits, of things changing, and we make them happy holidays with festive foods and costumes. In Spanish speaking countries it's pan de muertos, in Ireland it's barmbrack.

We look forward to Thanksgiving when we gather together to be thankful for the abundance spread on our tables. From soup to nuts and the classic pumpkin pie, this is a major expression of gratitude for the gifts of a successful harvest.

The days grow short, shorter, and the shortest day of the year approaches. We enter the real holiday season with celebrations of all denominations. Diwali is the Indian festival of light. Both the Swedish and the Sicilians celebrate St. Lucy's Day with special foods: the Swedish eat saffron flavored St. Lucy buns, while the Sicilians make a traditional cuccia. Jewish people around the world celebrate Chanukah with potato latkes. Christmas approaches, and ovens everywhere warm up to begin baking. We are in a celebratory mood at this time of year.

Poem: Ode to Autumn by John Keats

Diana Viola is a writer and the editor of In Mamas Kitchen. Click to meet her on the about us page.