I have never known what the fuss about Fall/Autumn was back in India…but here in Taipei, from the past couple of days you notice that there is a slight nip in the air in the mornings, and the air is not so hot and humid as it blasts you when you step out of A/c in the evenings..it’s still not the time to pull out the blankets and sweaters, but you definitely want to do away with summer cottons, and keep a light pullover handy..And then this morning, as you wait for the signal to turn green, you notice the sidewalk littered with red and gold and orange leaves…oh the trees still look green when you squint up, but they are definitely preparing…the words “patzhad mein kuch patto ki..girne ki aahat” from “mera kuchh saaman” come unbidden to your mind…this then is the beginnings of Fall perhaps…
There is also some association of Fall with pumpkins (not my favourite veggie back home)…but then I hit upon the recipe of Cinnamon Pumpkin swirl bread and decide to give it a try…Cinnamon is another spice which is a baker’s best friend and the house smells wonderful if you bake something with cinnamon.. picture a warm, cozy cottage filled with delicious smells of cooking and baking…so coupled with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and the goodness of pumpkin, here is a classic Fall creation, in anticipation of many more to come….