One of my 'church lady' cookbooks is from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and it's organized by seasons of the year. There is an index in the back, but it's also by season rather than the usual appetizer/entree/salad/side dish/dessert.

Here are some of the winter recipes. I'm not sure why the turkey sausage is especially for the cold weather months, maybe it's because folks are trying to cut down on calories after Christmas.

Turkey Sausage
2 pounds ground turkey
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon summer savory (ironic)
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme

Combine all the spices together and add to the turkey. Mix well and refrigerate for several hours for the flavors to blend. Zap a little in the microwave to taste for seasoning and add more salt or whatever is needed.


Take a critical look at this next one. There doesn't appear to be much of a base to give it substance, one would expect cream cheese or sour cream or something. I'm going to give it a try and will serve it over pasta if it doesn't come out dip-like.

Hot Clam Dip
2 cans minced clams (6 1/2 oz each)
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp parsley
Dash of cayenne
Dash of Tabasco
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 slices American cheese

Melt the margarine and cook green peppers and onion until tender. Add oregano, parsley, cayenne, and Tabasco. Cook for 3 minutes. Add clams and bring to a boil, turn down heat and cook for 3 minutes. Add the bread crumbs. Top with cheese and sprinkle with paprika. Microwave on high until bubbly.

This one here is served cold. My mother made it for parties when I was a kid. The things in parentheses are suggestions, but my mother just did the clams, cream cheese, W-sauce, onion juice, and salt.

Best Clam Dip
2 cans minced clams, drained, juice reserved
2 (3 oz) packages cream cheese
(4 tablespoons finely chopped onion) or onion power to taste
(4 tablespoons lemon juice)
(1/2 cup mayonnaise)
(Garlic powder to taste)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
(1/2 cup medium grated cheddar cheese)
Potato chips, pretzels, and/or raw vegetables to serve

Beat the cream cheese until it is softened. Stir in the clams, onion, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and seasonings. Add clam juice if needed to get good consistency. Gently fold in the grated cheddar cheese. Chill. Stir before serving, adding more clam juice if needed. Serve with potato chips, pretzels, and/or raw vegetables.

What else did the 1998 Pennsylvanians consider 'winter' food? Well, Christmas stuff like egg nog and Swedish meatballs. And chili for the Superbowl.