We’ve done both, but realized that they can interfere with sight lines across the table. They’re also very 20th (and 19th) century.

So in recent years we’ve tried:

 
While the first idea is our favorite, our guests deserve variety from year to year.

So this year, we’re adapting an idea from Foragers Market, to scatter the table with miniature pumpkins, decorative gourds and rosemary sprigs.

After dinner, the gourds go into a glass bowl or basket to decorate the foyer; the rosemary sprigs go into the freezer to use again on the Christmas table or to garnish cocktails, mineral water or soft drinks; or in recipes.

You can use the same concept for Halloween.

Need more ideas?

Here are 45 Thanksgiving centerpieces from HGTV.
 
  

Ruth’s mom no doubt inherited the tradition from her mother and grandmother, who were born in the old country. Italians use it to add flavor and aroma to panettone, pandoro and ricotta cookies.
 
WHAT IS FIORI DI SICILIA?

The essence is a combination of floral, citrus and vanilla extracts, with a lovely floral aroma. Some Americans might identify the scent and taste as an elegant take on “Creamsicle.” Most will find it beguilingly mysterious, and will ask you what the taste is. (Note that essences from different manufacturers may vary. One friend notes flavors of lemon, lime and strawberry in her brand.)
 
Is It Fiori Or Fior Di Sicilia?

The terms are used interchangeably. We see bottles with both the singular, fior di sicilia, and the plural, fiori.

Fiori di Sicilia adds floral and citrus “mystery” to baked goods. Photo courtesy King Arthur Flour.

We like to use it to add something special to holiday baking. Add a half teaspoon of fiori di sicilia to a basic cookie or cake recipe. If that isn’t enough for you, use more next time. If the half teaspoon seems meager, it’s because the essence is potent, and should be used with light touch.

Other popular holiday uses:

 
We’ve been known to add it to a cup of warm milk (hot or warm milk is a better-for-you comfort food for us). You can add your sweetener of choice to create a cup of “hot fiori di sicilia.”

In the summer, add it to iced tea and fruit soup.

You can try it in a one-ounce size ($9.95) from King Arthur Flour; there’s also a 4-ounce size ($19.95). The smaller size is a nice stocking stuffer for people who bake.

BAKE THESE RECIPES WITH FIORI DI SICILIA

Thanks to King Arthur for developing these delicious recipes:

There are 60 more fiori di Sicilia recipes at KingArthurFlour.com. Enjoy the voyage of discovery.

Kermit is the name of a small, green eggplant, bred in the U.S. from the round Thai eggplant. It is also known as Garden Egg and Bitter Ball, the latter since they grow bitter the longer they are off the stalk.

But some clever American, probably selling the eggplants or the seeds, gave it the name “Kermit” after Kermit the Frog. They’re adorable, small and green, just like the frog.

A member of the Nightshade Family, Solanaceae (as are the tomato and the potato), Kermit is a variant in the genus and species Solanum melongena, to which all eggplants belong.

These golf ball-size eggplants average 1½”-2″ in diameter (an American golf ball is 1.68 inches).

Kermit and all Thai eggplants differ from other eggplants not only in their size and shape, but also in that they can be eaten raw, and have tender, edible skin.
 
HOW TO EAT KERMIT EGGPLANTS

When you’re Kermit, it’s tasty being green, with quick-cooking, meaty flesh.

TOP PHOTO: The Kermit eggplant. It’s easy being green. Photo courtesy Foragers City Grocer | New York. BOTTOM PHOTO: The namesake. Photo courtesy Characters.Wikia.com.

Like other eggplants, Kermits are high in fiber, folate, manganese, potassium, thiamine and vitamin K. They are also low in calories and have no fat or sodium. Two eggplants have 25 calories.

 
GROW YOUR OWN

The shelf life of Kermit eggplants is typically shorter than other varieties. Once picked they should be refrigerated in plastic, for no more than 1 week. They become increasingly bitter as they age.

You may want to try growing them at home. Eggplant is easy to grow, with big yields. You can buy seeds here.