Fabulous Festival Fare Celebrates Coastside Bounty
There’s no better place to celebrate the autumn harvest than at the world-famous Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, nestled between the sea and the fertile fields on the San Mateo County Coastside. At this year’s 42nd Annual festival, October 13-14, more than 30 nonprofit groups will feed the hungry hordes, serving up delectable homestyle dishes that showcase the region’s bounty while raising critical funds for their worthwhile causes.
Roasted corn
Grilled sausages
Mimosas
Festival volunteers
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True to its title as World Pumpkin Capital, Half Moon Bay gives the beloved gourd a starring role in its festival fare. Dedicated early birds can start the day off right with a hearty stack of Half Moon Bay’s famous pumpkin pancakes served with a smile by the HMB High School Basketball Team. Top it off with sausage, fresh orange juice, and coffee, and you have the makings of a winning breakfast. They start serving at 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Mac Dutra Park. The local 4-H club is renown for their melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin rolls. The tangy creme-filled confections are such a big hit, the young people also sell the recipe. AAUW will be serving its delicious, all-natural pumpkin bread, by the slice or loaf, using the revered “Grandma” recipe, and their heavenly, sweet sticky buns.
The Beautification Committee will be dishing up slices of the tastiest pumpkin pie on the planet layered with a healthy dose of whipped cream. Enjoy your pie a la mode with a scoop of rich pumpkin ice cream from the Episcopal Church booth. Fill up on some sinfully rich pumpkin cheesecake whipped up by the San Mateo County Sheriff Explorers or the monster 8” pumpkin cookies baked by the good folks from Coastside Land Trust. Gobble up the newest pumpkin incarnations—pizza accented with pumpkin spice by Coastside Hope, pumpkin smoothies, blended by Half Moon Bay High School Water Polo and warm pumpkin churros from the High School Athletic Trainers program.
Barbecue
Corn roasting on the grill |
Not to be outshone, several other coastside crops will be featured. The Knights of Columbus take pride in crusading for the much maligned Brussels sprout and more beloved artichoke, two of the most prolific Coastside crops. Cooked in a zesty marinara sauce, the sprouts have a flavorful taste that make converts out of everyone who tries them. After removing the leaves and prickly hairs, the
artichokes are steamed leaving just the delicate hearts which are then sauteed in an aromatic blend of garlic, olive oil and herbs. Honoring the area’s rich maritime history, Half Moon Bay Rotary Club will be selling chunky clam chowder in crunchy sourdough bread bowls or indulge in a plate of spicy fried calamari with lemon and cocktail sauce prepared by the Yacht Club. Both are big crowd-pleasers.
There’s more than just coastal food. Don’t miss the to-die-for garlic fries drizzled with olive oil, minced garlic and parsley by the Boy Scouts or fresh popcorn from Seacrest School. For something hearty, grab one of the designer sausages from the Half Moon Bay Vaulters or a corn dog from the Girls Softball Club. High School Music Boosters will fill you up with their huge baked potatoes with all the trimmings—butter, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, green onions, chives, and bacon bits.
Hungry for some Mex? Try the Cougar Boosters chicken and beef tamales and the Coastside Lutheran Church’s nachos smothered with cheese and spiced up with jalapeños. Cool off with a root beer float from by the Volunteer Fire Department.
For a creative, pumpkin-infused treat, enjoy Mariner’s Church Coastside version of macaroni and cheese—flavored with pumpkin pie spices and topped with pumpkin seeds.
Enjoy mouthwatering Portuguese linguisa, jumbo hot dogs, Italian sausages and chicken pumpkin sausages grilled by the Beautification Committee or the popular hot beef sandwiches on a soft roll by IDES Society. Sink your teeth into a roasted turkey leg marinated in a special soy and red wine sauce or a grilled turkey sandwich on a hoagie roll by the Methodist Church. The Lions Club and American Legion both fire up the grill all weekend for their tasty hamburgers and sausages. The gourmands from the Coastside Adult Day Health Center dress their Italian sausage sandwiches up with a zesty marinara sauce, taking “savory” sausages to a whole new level.
Dig in! |
