4th Annual Literary Pumpkin Challenge

Rules:

-The contest is open to all ages!

-Decorate a pumpkin to represent a book or book character.

-Pumpkins may be real or faux, but NO CARVING is allowed. Carved pumpkins will not be accepted or will be discarded.

-Each winner will receive a $20 gift card to a local business. There will be five winners: most votes at Columbus Library, most votes at Saluda Library, most votes on Facebook, staff favorite, and all others will be entered into a drawing.

Timeline:

Oct. 3-8 | Drop your pumpkin off at Columbus or Saluda Library during opening hours.

Oct. 10-22 | Library patrons vote for their favorite literary pumpkins in person and on Facebook.

Oct. 24-29 | Winners are announced and prizes are distributed. If you would like to keep the literary pumpkin you submitted, please pick it up this week.

A monthly cooking challenge to spice up your kitchen… Try something new! Each month, pick up a FREE spice sample and simple recipe.

October’s Spice: Sesame Seeds

Recipe: Pumpkin Rolls

INGREDIENTS

• 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 5.5-6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• Sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk.
2. Add the butter, sugar, pumpkin, 2 eggs, salt, and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth.
3. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes.
4. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.
5. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
6. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape each portion into 12 balls.
7. Roll each ball into a 10-in. rope; tie into a knot and tuck ends under.
8. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
9. In a small bowl, beat water and remaining egg. Brush over rolls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
10. Bake at 350° for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Remove from pans to wire racks.

Cookbooks with sesame seed recipes:

• Garden to Table: A Kid’s Guide to Planting, Growing, and Preparing Food by Katherine Hengel
• The Spirit of Christmas Cookbook: Volume 4
• Authentic Recipes from China by Kenneth Law
• Small Planet, Small Plates by Troth Wells
• The 30-Minute Vegan by Mark Reinfeld