Game on!

Fall is just around the corner and the days have slightly started cooling and soon will be cooling even more. People walking by the windows of our downtown office will go from shorts and tank tops to long sleeves and jeans. Football has already become predominant on the television and conversations around town as our favorite teams compete. The colors are changing as the bright greens and blues of summer switch over to the deeper reds, yellows and oranges of autumn. The smells will become earthy as plants go into hibernation for the cold of winter, not that we always see much of that around here. I am so ready for the cooler weather.

So, what does fall and football bring? Football parties! With football season, many of us open our homes and invite people over to watch the games. If you are like my dad was, you watch all day flipping between the good games or having the screen split between 3 or even watching into the night if you have satellite as some channels will replay games starting around 10 or 11. Growing up, it was 3 TV’s side by side and on top of each other with PIP so each television could have 2 games. There was so much football… Nothing splits a home for a day like rooting for opposing teams and nothing gets everyone so excited as a good play by your favorite players. Even when supporting opposite teams, we love getting together to cheer on our teams and enjoy some good natured ribbing.

Home get-togethers are not the only way to gather though. Tailgate parties are also very popular. These parties are held in parking lots or large open areas at or around the stadium of your team. Often, tailgate foods are shared or sampled with other fans at the game and are usually grilled. Popular tailgate foods include picnic staples such as hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans and cold salads like coleslaw or potato salad. Some food products were even created because of tailgate parties. A brand of pimento cheese, called Palmetto Cheese, got its start at Atlanta Braves tailgate parties. Of course, it wouldn’t be a football party without beer or soft drinks and these are a staple at tailgate parties everywhere.

This week’s recipes are easy to make and can feed a crowd by simply upping the recipe. Not one of them was difficult or took too long to put together. If you don’t want to try these, just remember, you need lots of snacks to feed everyone. While it’s easy to grab chips and dips, you need something with protein if you are going to hang out for several games in one day. However, you still want it to be easy to eat, preferably handheld. Football parties don’t typically have a bunch of silverware. Whether you tailgate or ‘homegate’, there is an undeniable trend in people getting together for the fellowship of friends and family paired with good food to watch a good game. Don your jerseys this week, make your grocery list and meet me in the kitchen for game day!