Samhain Feast

Cooking to Honor the Spirits and Embrace the Darkness

As the veil thins at Samhain, we gather around hearth and table, sharing food to honor the ancestors and celebrate the end of the harvest. The flavors of this season are deep, earthy, and rich, pulling us closer to the warmth of the kitchen as nights grow longer. This is the time to slow down, savor traditions, and cook with intention.

To start thinking about my week of meals / feast for Samhain - Halloween, I flipped through two of my favorite witchy cookbooks, pictured above. Neither are sorted by “holiday,” though correspondences are included. I flipped through each, thinking about what I wanted to cook during Samhain, and I decided 1. something with apples (because as Telesco points out, “Apples have been part of Halloween celebrations for hundreds of years, and have frequently been used in divination” (4).), and 2. a twist on Telesco’s Zucchini-Cranberry bread because I love my zucchini bread recipe, and I love cranberries.

Cinnamon Apple Snickerdoodle Cookies 🍪🍏

Chewy, spiced, and full of fall flavors! These cookies bring together classic snickerdoodle goodness with cinnamon-kissed apples for a delicious autumn twist.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup peeled, small-diced apples

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Cream Butter and Sugars:
   In a large bowl, cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until smooth.

4. Combine Mixtures:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in diced apples gently.

5. Shape and Coat the Cookies:
   In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar for the coating. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat each one in the cinnamon sugar.

6. Bake:
   Place cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set and tops are slightly cracked.

7. Cool and Serve:
   Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Zucchini Cranberry Bread

For this one, I’m going to use my tried and true Zucchini Bread recipe (here), and add dried cranberries.

Additional Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or try raisins or chopped dried apricots)

• or, you could add 1/2 cup chopped nuts instead (such as walnuts or pecans)

Instructions for Adding

1. Mix in Nuts and Dried Fruit: After combining the wet and dry ingredients, gently fold in the nuts and dried cranberries.

2. Baking Adjustment: Check the bread at the lower end of the baking time (around 50 minutes), as the nuts and dried fruit may make the loaf a bit denser.

This small addition will add delightful crunch and bursts of tart sweetness! Perfect for cozy fall or winter baking.

Here’s some “traditional” recipes for fall celebrations that you might also try:

1. Soul Cakes

Traditionally baked to honor the dead, soul cakes date back to ancient times when they were left as offerings to wandering souls. These small, round cakes—often spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger—have a soft sweetness that pairs beautifully with a hot cup of tea by candlelight. Decorate them with a small cross or pentacle to represent the cycle of life and death, or simply mark them with three dots to honor the triple aspects of life. Make enough to share, and leave one on the altar as a symbolic offering.

Basic Recipe:

• 1 ½ cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup softened butter

• 1 egg

• Nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger to taste

Cream the butter and sugar, then mix in the egg and spices. Fold in the flour, knead lightly, and form small rounds. Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes, just until lightly golden.

2. Roasted Root Vegetables with Rosemary and Garlic

This simple dish is a grounding tribute to the harvest, celebrating the final fruits of the earth before winter sets in. Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and beets remind us of the hidden growth that happens beneath the surface—perfectly fitting for Samhain's reflective energy. Add garlic and rosemary to honor protection and remembrance, infusing each bite with warm flavors.

Preparation: Cube the vegetables, toss them in olive oil, and sprinkle with rosemary and garlic. Roast at 400°F for about 30-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are soft.

3. Pomegranate Molasses–Glazed Pork or Tofu

The pomegranate, sacred to many ancient goddesses of life and death, brings a touch of sweetness and tartness to your Samhain table. Use pomegranate molasses to glaze pork or tofu—a symbolic nod to both the underworld and rebirth. Serve with wild rice or a dark leafy green to round out this dish’s visual and flavor contrasts.

Glaze Recipe:

• 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses

• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• A dash of salt and pepper

Brush your chosen protein with this glaze and roast or bake until caramelized, spooning extra glaze over it as it cooks.

4. Pumpkin Soup with Sage and Nutmeg

Pumpkins are both protective and abundant at Samhain, embodying the season’s magic in a comforting soup. A blend of sage (for wisdom and strength) and nutmeg adds depth, grounding you with every spoonful. Pair with crusty bread or seed-studded rolls to represent the seeds of future growth and intentions planted as the year turns dark.

Simple Recipe:

• 2 cups pumpkin puree

• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

• 1 cup coconut milk

• Sage, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste

Simmer everything together for about 15 minutes, adjusting spices as you go. This is an ideal dish to enjoy with quiet reflection.

Save some for the Ancestors

When your dish (or feast!) is prepared, create a small plate for the spirits or ancestors you wish to honor this time of year. Set it at the table or on your altar with a candle, and take a moment to reflect on their lives, stories, and love. As you eat, let yourself drift into the memories of those who came before, carrying their wisdom into this new season of introspection.

Samhain cooking connects us to our past, while its flavors root us firmly in the present. As you gather around the table, you’re embracing the power of food to both nourish and inspire. Enjoy each bite, and let it carry you through the thinning of the veil into the comforting mysteries of winter.