As many of you know, my mother was human and one of her favorite holidays was Halloween. For those of you who don’t know, Halloween, or Samhain as some call it, is a night to dress in costumes, play tricks and get candy. But to some, it is also a night to reflect on loved ones who have passed on. Ancient Humans believed that it was on this night that their lost loved ones could visit them from beyond. They would leave out food, light candles and speak messages to them.

As a Zorestran, I believe deeply in the nearness of our ancestors and so when my mother told me of this part of the tradition, I suggested we combine it with a Zorestran candle lighting ceremony that is meant to honor or ancestors.

Every year now, on October 31st, I bake my mother’s favorite pumpkin bread and prepare my fathers Luvtaf stew, light the candles on my altar of remembrance and invite my closests friends to come share the meal with me. I tell them of my family, and ask them to share something of their home as well. My parents are both gone now, but in this way I bring them close to me, no matter where I am in the galaxy.

This year, I’d like to share my mothers pumpkin bread recipe with all of you. She always loved making loaves for friends and family this time of year and I think she’d be so happy to know that others are enjoying this on Halloween.

 My Mothers Pumpkin Bread Recipe

3 1/3 cups flour
3 cups sugar
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
Pinch powdered Cloves
1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
2 Teaspoons Baking powder

4 Eggs
1 cup Vegetable oil
2/3 cup Water
1 15 oz Can of Pumpkin
Or you can roast or boil fresh pumpkin 15 oz
1 cup walnuts or Pecans (optional)

* Mix *

Beat wet ingredients, eggs, add oil and water.
In another bowl mix dry ingredients, flour, sugar, salt and spices.
Make a well of the dry and gradually add wet ingredients.
Mix and pour into greased loaf pans (pound cake size)
Preheated oven at 350 for 1 hour.
Yields 2 -3 breads