Enjoy the Salsiccia at Riverside Hood River, a beloved dish for over 20 years and a perfect comfort food for those crisp fall days!

The Hood River Harvest Fest is just around the corner, running October 11-13. Over 20 local vendors will showcase the valley's finest produce, including Pear Bloom Farm! Indulge in fresh apples, pears, and squash, or savor mouthwatering dishes from food trucks offering tacos, BBQ, and dairy-free soft serve!

Don’t miss the Siragusa Pear Salad at Solstice Pizza. This is a must-try, along with other pear dishes they serve which are sure to impress.

Dani’s Kitchen Shop is gearing up for October with fun classes and delightful cookie decorating events and pop-ups!

This fall, dive into the flavors of the Columbia Gorge at the first-ever Taste of the Gorge! Running through November, over 70 businesses from Vancouver to Goldendale invite you to explore local restaurants and shops like French’s Farm in Lyle!

​Enjoy your week and thanks for following along.

Don’t Miss These Awesome Events!

• Join Freebridge Brewing on September 21 from 11 AM to 9 PM for a fantastic Oktoberfest celebration! Enjoy German-style beers, Bavarian pretzels, and sausages from We’re the Wurst, plus games, contests, and collectible mugs.
Location: 710 E 2nd St, The Dalles, OR 97058

• Head to PFRIEMTOBERFEST on September 21 from 2 PM to 7 PM for a great mix of Bavarian games, music, and a special beer collaboration between Pfriem Family Brewers and Grasslands Barbecue. Indulge in steak tartare, sausages, and more.
Location: 650 Portway Ave, Hood River, OR 97031

• On September 28, enjoy a special brewery dinner hosted by Everybody’s Brewing at Mt. Hood Meadows. Relish locally-inspired dishes and craft brews while taking in breathtaking mountain views, curated by Chef Matthew Grimsley.
Location: 14040 Highway 35, Mt. Hood, OR

• Celebrate the harvest season with a farm-to-table feast at Mountain View Orchards on October 6. Chef Ben Stenn will prepare a delicious meal with local ingredients, and you can sip on local wines while supporting Gorge Grown.
Location: 6670 Trout Creek Ridge Rd, Mt. Hood, OR 97041

Which events are you excited about? Share your plans in the comments or tag your event photos with #hoodrivereats! 

​Check out this week’s food events! 
Thursday Tidbits 

Draper Girls Country Farm is the place to be this weekend for a harvest of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Don't miss the chance to pick McIntosh and Tokyo Rose apples, as well as U-Cut dahlias. While their peach and pear u-pick season has ended, you can still purchase these fruits at their country store.
Address: 6200 HWY 35, Mount Hood Parkdale, OR 97041

Hood River U-Pick Organic reopens on September 13th, featuring Honeycrisp and Gala apples ready for picking. Enjoy harvesting apples and all the necessary gear provided.
Address: 4320 Royal Anne Dr, Hood River, OR 97031

Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon at COR Cellars! This Saturday, September 14, from 2 PM to 6 PM, join the COR Carnival for games, carnival treats, and new wine releases. Enjoy the hillside games, sample delicious carnival foods, and sip on the latest vintages from COR Cellars. No reservations needed!
Address: 151 Old Highway 8, Lyle, WA

This week, Hood Crest Winery is serving up a storm with their special pizzas! Try the Carnivore’s Delight or Foghorn Leghorn Out in the Berry Patch. Pair these with seasonal cocktails like the Bramble Patch and Siam Sunray for a true taste sensation. 
Address: 2291 Highway 35, Hood River, OR

Elevate your tomato dishes with Cascadia Creamery’s Sleeping Beauty cheese. Perfect for adding a burst of flavor to fresh basil and garden tomatoes, this local cheese is a game-changer. 
Address: 1210 7th Street, The Dalles, OR

Don’t miss Freebridge Brewing’s Pasta Night every Wednesday. Enjoy delicious pasta dishes paired with their craft brews for the perfect midweek meal.
Address: 2300 W 2nd St, The Dalles, OR

Enjoy your culinary adventures! 

As fall settles in, Hood River is buzzing with exciting events and flavors. Dive into the details and discover what’s happening around town!

Thursday Tidbits

• Mushroom season is upon us, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate one of the season’s finest forest-to-table ingredients: the chanterelle. This week, Riverside Hood River will begin showcasing dishes featuring these mushrooms, thanks to the expertise of local forager Colin. Diners who visit the restaurant and might be fortunate enough to enjoy a special dish highlighting these fall gems.

Address: 1000 Riverside Dr, Hood River, OR 97031.

• Oak Street will be transformed into a lively marketplace with a variety of foods and vendors on September 6th at the First Friday Latino event. There will be live music and by donating two non-perishable food items to the FISH Food Bank, attendees can enjoy a free mechanical bull ride.

Address: Oak Street, Hood River, OR 97031.

• Double Mountain Brewery’s Block Party on September 7th offers a fantastic way to kick off September. This event will feature an array of delicious food, live music, and games, making it a great way to embrace the start of the month with a festive atmosphere.

Address: 8 4th St, Hood River, OR 97031.

• While Dani’s Kitchen Shop takes a short break from pop-up events, fall flavors are still available through custom orders. Those interested in enjoying seasonal treats can reach out to Dani’s Kitchen Shop to place their orders and savor the tastes of autumn.

Address: 1234 Market St, Hood River, OR 97031.

• Freebridge Brewing’s Oktoberfest on September 21st promises an evening of hearty sausages, seasonal brews, and a lively atmosphere. It’s an ideal event for anyone looking to enjoy a substantial feast and a festive celebration.

Address: 1615 2nd St, Hood River, OR 97031.

Thanks for following along! Please continue to tag Hood River Eats in your photos and use the hashtag #hoodrivereats on social media. ​

By Registered Dietitian Sarah Harper

If you enjoy banana bread, pumpkin bread, or zucchini bread, you’ll love the unique twist of acorn squash bread. Moist, tender, and mildly flavored acorn squash comes together harmoniously with cinnamon and vanilla to create a sophisticated twist on traditional quick bread.

This is a great recipe to celebrate the transition into fall. With just one bowl and minimal effort, you can create a dish that’s equally delightful for breakfast or dessert. Bump up the flavor by adding a handful of chopped bittersweet chocolate, walnuts, or both!

I recommend serving this cozy bread warm with a pat of butter alongside your morning coffee or tea for a comforting start to the day. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent evening treat.


One-Bowl Acorn Squash Bread
Yield: One 8½-by-4½-inch loaf cake
Total Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Ingredients:1 acorn squash (about 2 cups pureed) 
½ cup/ 1 stick  unsalted melted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt
¾ cup sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup greek yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:
​Step 1: Prepare Squash
Cut the acorn squash in half and remove the seeds. 

• Roasting: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the halves cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 35-45 minutes, or until the flesh is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
• Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (190°C). Cut the halves into smaller pieces to fit in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, or until the flesh is tender. 

Allow the acorn squash to cool slightly, then scoop out the flesh. In a large bowl, mash squash with a potato masher until smooth. Alternatively you can puree it in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Step 2: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 8½-by-4½-inchloaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, stir together approximately 2 cups of pureed squash, eggs, sugar, melted butter or oil, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Mix well until combined. 
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
In the same bowl, sift in the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir the mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Step 5: Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Optional: Add a handful of chopped bittersweet chocolate or walnuts to the batter before baking for extra flavor and texture. 

​​Sarah Harper is a Registered Dietitian, creator, and one of many eaters behind The Addy Bean. She is also an avid hiker, a registered yoga instructor, and a former nursing home dietitian. Based in Hood River, Oregon, Sarah lives with her husband Jacob, her dog Huey and her blog’s namesake – her cat Adeline.