Welcome to the Peanut Patch, Big Blend Radio's Foodie Podcast featuring Donna George, owner of the Peanut Patch in Yuma, Arizona. Everybody welcome back. It is Foodie Friday here on the Peanut Patch and it is October and this is the exciting thing about October. The Peanut Patch opens up. It runs, well, it's open October through April every year and actually every two years. I've been having to say since you get to be in two years and doing that and so if you go to Yuma, Arizona, which you should at this time of year, you know, the fall is beautiful, sunny. All of you know if you're heading towards the winter season up north, start making plans, but it is so exciting when the Peanut Patch opens and, of course, Donna is here. We're going to talk about some of the Foodie holidays of October and also just celebrate the fact that you can go into the store right now in October and get Fudge samples. Right, Donna, welcome back. How are you? I'm doing well and yes, we will have Fudge samples ready for you to try for sure. No, do you still have ice cream? Yes, we will. Well, yes, we have ice cream. We have fudge. We have, you know, you can even sample our ice cream. OK, little taste. Yeah, well, listen, how many flavors? You have a lot of flavors of ice cream. It's like the fudge, too. Well, we have our machine holds eight, so we kind of rotate different ones through there. That's it. Every time I call my caramel coffee. Oh, did you say coffee? Coffee? Oh, yeah, when the caramel. Yeah. Oh, yes, our fudge is just the best. It is. It's homemade. And, you know, nothing starts the holiday season. Well, listen, I say the holiday season starts in October. The season has changed over. Halloween is coming and it's Halloween Safety Month, October and you have so many candies, so many varieties. You've got, of course, peanuts and things like that. But I think, you know, you've got nostalgia candy. And I think for the adults, we're going to want our own bowl of candy for Halloween. Wouldn't you say, like, are we want to teach the kids to about these important things in life? I'm coming in for the licorice, all sorts. OK, I, you know, that about me. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Now, you must beautiful this time of year. And you guys do have, like, a Halloween festival, right? That, you know, that kids can go to in families. You've got so many neighborhoods. I think it goes by region, like the foothills. There's the downtown, which is very historic. You're crossing National Heritage area, which is amazing. You've got history and nature, all in one. But Yuma starts to really come alive starting October with maybe the fall festival will be one of the first big ones, right? Yeah, the fall festival is the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th. And we are going to have a booth out there in the brand new building. Our brand new building is finally done and we're going to be able to use it and we're all very excited. Oh, that's cool. That's cool. Yeah. And I mean, the temperatures in October are still just so. It's, I mean, I think it's, it can get windy though in the desert, but that's why the building is important. But it's so nice in October. Yes. Our evenings and our mornings are beautiful. Our days are warm, but not not really hot. And so it is the best time. It's the beginning of it. And October happens to be National Cookie Month. And I think this is a very important holiday because I mean, who doesn't, I mean, love a really good peanut butter cookie. Some of us want them crunchy. Some of them like them smooth. Some of us want a little sugar and cinnamon on it. Everybody has their favorite type. There's country style. We have recipes. Everyone linked in the episode notes because we've got a lot of cookie recipes from Donna. Thank you very much. What is your favorite peanut butter cookie style for you? Well, you know what made with our fresh peanut butter that we grind pretty much daily. It just is, it's just the best peanut flavor. It's different than if you add store bought peanut butter because, you know, you get to really, there's a little bit of crunch to it. And knowing that it's fresh, it just has a different taste. It's wonderful. I agree. I agree when it's done. I'm hungry and nice. I know these shows with you are dangerous. The other thing is you have a wonderful recipe and everyone to get in linked in the episode notes. In fact, I'm just always going to put the link for all of Donna's recipes. Let me just do that because then a lot of them really go well with fall. One is a Spanish style pasta casserole because we're getting into family coming over. You know, a good pasta casserole is good, but you have one for peanut glazed butternut squash. And we're seeing the squash out everywhere, right? So we're in that season and we go like, what do we do with a peanut butter squa? I mean, a butternut squash, seeing peanut butter. That's what you do with this, you know, but I know. But, you know, we want to do something a little bit different, but you've got one that's peanut glazed. And I think this is the one thing we all love peanuts just to snack on, right? You know, football season is there and you have all kinds of yummy snacks for football. That's oh, yeah. Yeah, I mean, you just before we get into this recipe, tell people what they can get that is like a peanut snacks. You've got like you've got all kinds of good snacks for football. Yeah, we've got sweet peanuts like butter toffee peanuts, honey roasted peanuts. We have peanuts in the shell, either salted or no salt, if you're on, if you're watching your salt intake and then we have them out of the shell, we have them without the skin, you know, just various types of peanuts that. And we roast them on site, so the freshness is controlled. We know how long, you know, that they were just done. And for football, you've got salsa's too, you know, yeah, that's the other. Yeah, the ones in the shell, you know, that's the best because, you know, got to crack the shells, you know, while you're watching the game. I was gonna say the ones in the shells I love because if you're mad at the other team, you can throw the shell at the TV and it's not going to do anything to the team. Do you know there's more injuries in football season from people jumping off their couch and then people trying to play football that haven't for years. There's more injuries, football injuries from then, especially when we get into November, all the way into the big game, you know, next year. Exactly. But yeah, but you have all those trail mixes too. And I think this is the thing, can we do something a little different? You know, I'm like, if you don't have a football gathering, I didn't know we were gonna talk about football and I have no clue. Nancy and I, when football comes on the TV, we turn the sound down and we play classical music. That's how we watch football, because we have no clue, and it's really fun to watch that way. Okay. I think tacos and think, well, you've got the Yuma criminals. Oh, yeah. Oh, yes. And I will have creme wear. Okay. You can come in and purchase some creme wear from the peanut patch. Everybody needs to know about the Yuma criminals. Okay. So especially since it's Halloween, this is perfect, right? So Yuma has a territorial prison, which is a state park. And it's also part of the Mcrossing National Heritage Area. And this is where they put some of the most notorious criminals of the Wild West. There was like Pearl Hart and she got herself out of prison too, who was a gunslinger and she robbed stagecoach. There are all kinds of crazy people in this were in this prison. And you can go to prison now. You can even see there were that one dark cell as well. I mean, could you imagine being out there in the desert behind bars and scorpions could come in and get you and all kinds of stuff? You can, I mean, you've got to go to the Yuma territorial prison. It's one of those ultimate road trip things to do. And if you're doing a trip, you're right off the highway, right? Yuma is going into, if you're going from San Diego to Florida, you're going to go through Yuma. So go to the peanut batch. That is a roadside attraction as far as I'm concerned because you need fuel. And then, and I mean human foodie fuel. And then you've got to go to the territorial prison. But the story is that at one point Yuma high school had to go to high school at the prison. This was, and didn't it become a prison at one time? I know one of the park goings just told me they actually still get calls for the actual prison. People trying to find their friends that are inmates or something. But wasn't it at one point and actual, I mean, it was a prison for the Wild West, but was it a prison after that, like a real prison or no? Maybe it's just she was going to do this. You know what? I'm not sure. But the school met there because it burnt and it was big enough to house the students. And it was in 1913 that they met there. The school opened in 1909. And I think they met there for like two years while they were rebuilding the school. I didn't know it was that far back. And so then they went to do a football game. Was it in Phoenix? I believe the football game was with Phoenix. I don't know that it wasn't here. Oh, they were. Yeah. Yeah. And when the team, when they played, they slaughtered the other team, the Yuma High School beat them. And the kids walking off the field from the Phoenix team started yelling, "You guys are a bunch of criminal." Because they were in school. And the old, it stuck. And so now they're still the Yuma criminals. And so it's a very proud thing of Yuma. This is, you now know, all my football knowledge. Okay. So I don't know if you want to play classical music when the Yuma criminals are playing. That's kind of on. Oh, no. You want to play something with sirens. And you know, because that's how they get lit on the field. Oh, you can play the music from comps. For team out. Bad boys. There you go. Yeah. So yeah, so when, but this is it. So now you have gear. So you actually have like the souvenir items. I have the t-shirts. We help sponsor the band. And so 100% of the profits go back to the school. So the band can travel to do like competitions and things like that. Wow. That's cool. I love that. I love that. Yeah. Because the band is a big part of it too. I love the band. Oh, yeah. And we went to watch. Got him out there on the field, you know. We went to USC and the Bruins. Years ago, we went to USC to watch that game between the two, which is a iconic. It's a big one because, you know, UCLA versus USC, I mean, that's a big game. And, but you know, we, Nancy and I were like, okay, but we wanted to see the marching band. And we went to see that. And all I can tell you, it is I love marching bands. They are incredible what they do to all kinds of songs, you know. So power to the marching bands. They need fuel too. They need peanuts to get going, keep going and stay fueled. Yeah. Just saying, staying fueled is good. They make little packets for them. So when they have their break, they can have some fuel. There you go. Have some around in the in the stands for them. Do you have peanuts and raisins? You have chocolate covered raisins. That's even, you know. Yes. And I have regular raisins and I have golden raisins. See, that's a little sugar. It's good. Sugar is done for learning. It's good. Sugar and protein. There you go. Yes. Electrolytes. We need that, you know, when it comes to football and things like that. Let's go back to this recipe. Peanut glazed butternut squash, everybody. Come on. Like, let's do something new and different. So you take a butternut squash about a pound. And then you're going to need dark brown sugar. See, we need the sweetness. Dry roasted peanuts. So you do that right on side, right? I'm honest with people who can get back. Correct. Yeah. Ground cumin, ground coriander. See, now this is starting to taste like fall to me. Salt, ground ginger, ground white pepper, a little bit of water. Obviously for the squash and a green onion finally chopped. And then you cut the squash in two halves. Take the seeds out and obviously remove the peel. You do one inch cubes. Put them in a skillet. Sprinkle everything in there. Stir in a little bit of water. Cook over medium heat and voila when it's tender. You add in the green onion after about 20 minutes. And you can add and it says the most important thing, if desired, which we all desire. Sprinkle each serving with additional peanuts. You could crush them up all nice and put it on. Yeah. How different is this? Like, I think that's going to be cool. Yeah. Yeah. That sounds like a wonderful recipe. Well, you get it differently fall. Years ago, you know, definitely fall. I know, but just, you know, I can't even thought about it in a long time. So it just feels all. Yeah. I have a better nut squash sitting here. So I'm going to try it and I will keep you posted. Because, you know, I'm dangerous in the kitchen, but I like my eating. But I, you know, I just think squash. Sometimes people just over sweeten them or like, it's just like this boiled pulp on your plate. And I want something like with the crunch. And that's what the peanuts do, is add this crunch to it. So I'm all excited about it. But again, everyone, we have all these recipes from Donna, which again, we've got cookies. And speaking of cookies, you also have this recipe with Majul Dates in the cookies. And I wanted to bring that up as a fall treat as well. Majul Dates, are you going to have them now for October? Oh, I mean, oh, definitely, oh, definitely. Yes. The crop is usually picked in late August, early September. It went sometimes through September. And so the fresh ones are ready to put out as we open. And so everyone, Majul Dates Oat Meal Cookies. Now that sounding good to me. See, this is fall, y'all. Can you tell I've been in the south? [laughs] I mean, it's just nice and different and healthy. Majul Dates are super healthy. So if you're watching that. So yeah, I didn't know we're going to be talking about football or better not swash, but it's happening. Donna, Apple Month. Okay, so you've got the dried apple rings, which for road trips next to me are really good. They're yummy. They are yummy. And you can cook with them with other fruits? Yes, you can cook with them. I have used them in cooking myself. I have used them by the handful into my mouth. [laughs] Well, and you know, they're yummy, you know, and they've got, I like the texture of dried apple. I do. There's like a whole, it's just different. The texture of either. Very different. Yeah, and sometimes I'll have a bunch of my mouth and I'll be just sitting with them. Nancy's like, why aren't you sinking your car karaoke and losing your voice as you always do? Well, if you see my cheeks all spurly-fied, then you know. That's what's happening. Okay, so it's also national caramel month. Okay, I have a feeling some of this is going, I already said ice cream, and then I have a feeling some fudge. And I know like you've got like caramel-y, delicious goodies that you guys make on site that like turtles. Am I right about turtles? And I know turtles can be on the Christmas later. Yeah, I have them for November for sure. Just hanging on weather because we make the caramel fresh. You make it. Temperature. Yes, at the store. So the temperatures have to be just right. But we do have caramel also that we use in our fudge and we have a multitude of varieties with caramel in it. We even have jalapeno caramel fudge. What? Hot and sweet together. Yeah. What? Jalapeno caramel fudge. It's awesome. Oh gosh, we've got to get back to human. See you. I'm serious. I mean, if- Yes. There's so much to do in human. The festivals, you can go to the west and the east. Wetlands are two of our favorite things to do, but you've got to go to the peanut patch. When it's open, you've got October through the end of April. Sometimes she opens up in a little bit early May, but you never know. So I'm serious. Don't not stop. You must stop. And you open Monday through Saturday, right? Close on Sundays. Yes. Okay. Now, this is also very important because she's in Yuma. And Yuma likes things spicy. They are on the border of Mexico. All right? Cool. Um, it is National Chili Month. I have a funny feeling you have things, and this is another good thing for football parties, right? Chili. Yeah. We have- Right? We have all kinds of pulses that you could have with your chips, or maybe even with your chicken wings, you know? Use that to spice them up a little. And peach salsa? Oh, I love to cook with it. Now, that's what I was going to say, because if you've got your- you've got your meat going, whatever kind of meat you're doing, you know, there's all kinds of- I add salsa. You know, you don't have to make it all yourself. But you can add- Yeah. I mean, there's a different way to make it. And you've got pickled peppers and all kinds of stuff in there to add on the side like you're talking about. So, chili is good, but you also have beans that you can use for the chili. Am I right on that? Yeah, that is correct. We have the anisposy beans, which are better than pentals by far. Exactly. And that is very Southwestern. And you've got all those spice mixes. You've got all those kind of Southwestern dips. That's the other thing. Yeah. Dips. Yeah. The dips. And they're so easy to make, you know? The instructions are just- add sour cream and mayonnaise, usually, on most of them. Pour the dip mix in and stir it. Refrigerate it and you're ready to go. Okay. It makes a lot. I'm ready. I'm ready. Yeah. Like I'm here. It's because you have to let go, right? Yeah. And everyone, if you cannot get to the peanut patch, go to thepenetpatch.com, because you can order online. But National Dessert Month. Okay. Desserts. So, I think you can do things with major dates and peanuts in a lot of desserts. When you say, "I have," I mean, we've got the cookies we were talking about. But major dates can also go into- you can do date puddings. You can- it's- it's a whole other way of thinking and working with these major dates, but there are so many desserts you can do and healthy. You can put them- So, Nancy, you can take- Go ahead. You can take the date and take the pit out of it. You know, the feed and put peanut butter in them. And they're really good that way. The feeder butter. That's a nice order. Or an after dinner, you know, a little treat. And then there's lunch. You know, a little ice cream. But the dessert to me with the dates, I like the small after dinner dessert, you know. And by the way, you can have dessert for breakfast, too. You know, we're loud. There's nothing- Totally loud. Once it- once in a while, you're allowed. Because it's fall, y'all. So everyone, have dessert first. Thanks so much, Donna, always fun. We can't wait for next month when we get to talk about Thanksgiving's coming. Woo, and we're really getting into fall season. So stay tuned for that, everyone. Thanks, Donna. Thank you. Thank you for joining us here on The Peanut Patch on Big Blend Radio. You can visit the store between October and April in Yuma, Arizona. Or shop online at thepenepatch.com and keep up with new episodes that air every first Friday at 12 p.m. Arizona time at bigblendradio.com.
