Just In

        • At Hispanic Festival: At least two good reasons to go to this annual celebration this weekend: To eat the best Latin American food in town and to buy a cookbook to help you make the dishes at home. Festival volunteers have compiled nearly 100 authentic recipes from more than a dozen countries for Traditional Latin-American Cooking. The recipes are provided in English and Spanish, along with a glossary of Hispanic foods. The books will be available for $10 at the Hispanic Festival, noon-10 p.m. Saturdayand noon-8 p.m. Sunday at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 115 W. Seymour St., Carthage. Proceeds benefit Su Casa Hispanic Ministry. Information: 761-1588.

        • In stores: Labor Day has passed, but barbecue season lives on. Since he put them in a bottle last year, part-time Goshen resident Ray Greene has won awards for his “Ole Ray's” sauces — Kentucky Red, Apple/Cinnamon and mustard-based Kentucky Gold. About $5 per pint at groceries and meat retailers, or www.olerayssauces.com.

Market Scan

        Although available nearly year-round, the most flavorful spaghetti squash is found early fall through winter. Look for hard, smooth, evenly yellow, cream or tan squash without ridges, spots or bumps. The larger the squash, the more flavorful and thicker the strands inside. Store at room temperature for several weeks. Steam (cut in half, 20 to 30 minutes), bake (45 minutes at 350 degrees) or boil (30 minutes) until outside shell is tender. Cut squash in half, discard seeds and remove spaghetti-like strands. Serve with sauce, olive oil and top with cheese.

Sip It

        Stonehaven 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserve, McLaren Vale” ($42): I'm not fond of many Aussie cabs, as they often can't compare to Aussie shiraz. But here's an exception. It's a little pricey, but it has fabulous color, strong complex somewhat jammy aromas and bold, full-bodied flavors that finish long and cry for grilled steak.

        Mario Batali prepares veal with red cabbage, sauteed salami with polenta and other foods of northeastern Italy on Molto Mario, 5:30 p.m. today on the Food Network.

Hot Date

        Food Network stars Jill Cordes and Marc Silverstein appear at a SUMA benefit dinner beginning 7 p.m. Monday at J's Fresh Seafood in Hyde Park. SUMA sponsors teen pregnancy programs in the Tristate. Dinner tickets are $100. To order: 487-7862, ext. 15.

Buckle up for breakfast
Hope in her songs
Berry pudding luscious end-of-summer desert
Peter's Burg sends a taste of Europe home with you
Smart mouth
Body & mind
Breast cancer benefit walk registration open
This Healthy House
'Fully Committed' star juggles jobs on and off stage
One 'Amazing' show, one 'Lost' opportunity
Get to it