A Fall Picnic

Maiden Rock, Wisconsin looking at Frontenac, Minnesota

Those of you who read this column regularly probably remember that I love picnics. And fall is my favorite time of year for a picnic. It is almost never too hot. The leaves and foliage are at their greatest beauty and the insect level—well, insects are always a bit of a problem. And here in Goodhue County we have a plethora of wonderful picnic spots.


If you’re going spur-of-the-moment with just the two of you, which is what we do mostly—you can keep a hamper or cooler packed with the necessities and just quickly pack a few edibles, hop in the car and go. Other, more elaborate picnics aren’t really that hard, either, but they do take planning.

The most important step in planning is the setting for your picnic and the number of people to feed. Around here we have city parks which are perfect for large family gatherings where children will be able to run and play on the playground equipment. Is there anyone that hasn’t attended a large family reunion-style picnic? Here there are tables—some in covered shelters for rainy days, large grills for cooking at the site, parking lots and accessibility to the picnic area—but alas, also lots of other people!

If you are a small group, there are lots of wayside rests along the scenic river roads on either side of the Mississippi and Lake Pepin. We love the many turn-outs along Highway 35 in Wisconsin and seldom have any competition for those picnic tables and breath-taking views. Such was not the case this last Labor-Day Weekend, however. If you choose these places for your picnic, be sure you are able to accept and adjust to the bikers!

You can pack a beautiful, sumptuous repast complete with crystal and china and linens, have a multitude of fancy equipment—coolers, hibachis, thermal carriers of all kinds, plastic picnic sets, tables and chairs that pop out and set up anywhere—you get the idea. Or, you can have a grocery sack with a roll of paper towels, some paper plates and plastic flatware and aluminum foil to wrap around food. I prefer something in between.

A fall menu that is fast, easy and delicious is what we took on our Labor Day Excursion and would be great for the crisp, breezy, cool days of September—while the sweet corn lasts.

Crisp cucumber slices in Sour Cream
Sliced garden tomatoes
Ham Salad Sandwiches on whole wheat
Corn on the cob
Potato Salad
Brownies

Cam’s Cucumber Salad

2 large cucumbers
4 scallions
1 cup sour cream
¼ cup vinegar
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste

Slice cucumbers and scallions (white and green parts)
Mix all other ingredients and pour over cucumber and scallion mixture. Chill.
Put into thermos container before leaving home.

Large homegrown tomatoes

Slice tomatoes thickly. Sprinkle liberally with sugar. Stack in slices and wrap in plastic wrap. Put into leak-proof container.

Ham Salad

8 ounces ham
½ cup bread and butter pickles
2 Tbsp. pickle juice
½ cup mayonnaise
Pepper

Put ham and pickles through food grinder. (I use the grinder attachment to my Kitchen Aid mixer). Mix with juice and mayonnaise. Add pepper and salt (if needed).
Spread between two slices of good whole wheat bread (homemade preferred.) Pack lettuce slices separately, if you wish, to add to sandwiches at picnic site.

Corn on the Cob

Bring 2 quarts of water to boil in large Dutch oven or kettle. Add 1 Tbsp. sugar and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice into boiling water. Do not add salt. Husk and clean silks off corn cobs and plunge into boiling water mixture. Bring back to the boil; turn off heat and cover. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
Remove from pan and lay each one on a square of aluminum foil. Butter, and salt and pepper. Roll corn around to cover with butter and wrap tightly. Put hot corn into a wide-mouth beverage thermos (for 2-4 ears) or an insulated soft lunch-style bag for up to 8 ears.

My Favorite Brownies (Better than any mix and just as easy)

½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 1-oz. squares baking chocolate, melted
½ cup flour
½ cup chopped walnuts

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla; beat in eggs. Blend in chocolate. Stir in flour and nuts. Bake in greased 8x8x2” pan at 325 deg. for 30-35 minutes. Sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar.

Rat in “Wind in the Willows” summed up my sentiments of picnics: “Nothing seems really to matter, that’s the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don’t; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all.” Rat is also responsible for the most delectable picnic in literature: “He…reappeared staggering under a fat, wicker luncheon basket…”What’s inside it?” asked the Mole, wiggling with curiosity. “There’s cold chicken inside it,” replied the Rat briefly.  “coldtonguecoldhamcoldbeefpickledgherkinssaladfrenchrollscresssandwichespottedmeatgingerbeerlemonadesoda-water---“