Cape Cod Rock Hopper

October End & Crispy Carmel Popcorn

     As we cruse into Fall and the month of October, all I am reminded of this week is the impending Columbus Day shut down. When seasonal motels shut the door on another season, cottage owners board up there places and winterize them. The last of the festivals are winding down and the last of the visitors are starting to head for the bridges. Now the locals can start to calm down and get back to their regular routines of living without all the hassles of us vacationers hoggin' up the roadways and creatin' a ruckus where ever we go. I know of several part timers, both from past and now the present, who have either called the Cape their permanent residency or have owned second homes on the Cape and lived just off the Cape, more years then twice my age. They are at that stage when warmth does them more good then the cold so even though they lag behind now, shortly they too will head out and off the warmer pastures for the off season.
    October is here and the leaves are starting to change colors, the air is turning cooler quicker and the sun sets sooner. A long cry from 13-14 hours of sun, 80 degree days with sandy beaches filled with scantly clad bathers, baking on their bellies while laying on blankets or basking on their beach chairs. Summer on one hand seems only a thought ago, then again was it only 6 weeks ago we were there, watching the wave roll in on the beach while children stood with there fathers flying kits in the early evening breeze. Yes October is here, Columbus Day is the end of another vacation season. But now is the time to start remember what fun we had, while making our plans for next years visits.,,,,,,,, Good bye Cape Cod Summer of 2008 rest you weary shores, as sooner then we think it will be time to start it all over again.
   
    Well there are days you have a recipe in mind, and the more and more you look at it, it just doesn't happen for you. Kind of like pea's, you just have to be in the mood and have the right recipe, cause any other time the only humans that will eat them are babies when they are strained and mixed in with something else and are tricked into eating them. No peas were not on my plate today. However someone in the house,,, Ok the wife,, made a mention, she knew I had wanted to do something with,, CORN,, and without  hesitation she brought up this recipe. Now this is not a "typical" Corn recipe side dish unless you are Snoopy and serving Thanksgiving dinner. This is another one from her side of the family and it is as fun to eat as it is to eat and works well this time of year. So without further adieu.

    Crispy Carmel Popcorn

•     1         cup         sugar
•     1/2    cup        butter
•     1/2    cup        dark corn syrup
•     1/2    tsp        salt
•     1/2    tsp        vanilla (real please)
•     4       qts         popped corn

    1) Stir together sugar, butter, corn syrup, salt & vanilla in a 1 1/2 quart saucepan
    2) Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil, allow to boil for 5 minutes, Remove from heat; pour over popcorn in a large shallow baking pan. Stir to coat well.
    3) Bake in 250 degree oven (very slow) oven for 1 hour; stirring every 15 minutes
    4) Remove from oven & continue to stir occasionally to prevent it from lumping into 1 giant lump while cooling.
    5) Store in tightly covered container.