Category: Food

Television chef Mary Ann Esposito presents new cookbook

Chef and University of New Hampshire graduate Mary Ann Esposito isn’t just the host of the longest-running television cooking show in America — she’s also the author of more than a dozen cookbooks, each meant to tie into her series in some way. Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook!, her latest book, scheduled for a Nov. 15 release, continues that theme by focusing on the home vegetable garden, with easy-to-follow planting advice and more than 100 recipes.

Following an exclusive book launch event at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth on release day, Esposito will hold signings and Q&A sessions at Water Street Bookstore in Exeter on Thursday, Nov. 17, and at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord on Friday, Nov. 18. She’s also scheduled to hold a signing at Tuscan Market in Salem on Saturday, Dec. 10 — there, she’ll be accompanied by Tuscan Brands wine director Joseph Comforti for a special wine tasting.

Esposito is the host of the PBS series Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito, which debuted in 1989. Its 30th season — the first to be filmed in front of a live audience, at Tuscan Village’s Scuola Culinaria — recently wrapped up production and is currently airing.

Her 13th book overall, Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook! took Esposito about two years to write, dating back to the early months of the pandemic when Ciao Italia had to suspend production.

“I wanted it to be a dual-purpose book,” she said. “It’s not only a cookbook with all of these wonderful vegetables, but it’s also a simple primer gardening book for anybody who wants to start a garden. But you absolutely do not have to have a garden in order to use this book.”

Esposito divides the book into two sections. The first focuses on cool-weather crops of an early spring garden, such as lettuce, peas, radishes and spinach; that’s followed by a section devoted to summer garden vegetables, from tomatoes and eggplant to peppers, zucchini and others that need heat. Recipes incorporating vegetables in all kinds of traditional Italian dishes are also featured.

“The tomato is the king of the garden, so obviously I have lots of tomato recipes … including, of course, eggplant Parmesan with fresh tomatoes,” Esposito said. “There’s a wonderful recipe for my mother’s upside-down stuffed peppers … and then there’s my Nonna Galasso’s simple tomato sauce. … One of the other recipes I really like is the giardiniera, which translates to pickled vegetables. Any vegetable like carrots, green beans and broccoli will work for pickling.” Recipes, she said, cover every category from antipasti, soups and salads to garden vegetables and herbs added as ingredients in meats, fish, pastas, casseroles and even some desserts.

“I have a raspberry thyme tart using fresh thyme from the garden that’s really good,” she said. “There’s also a cake that is made with the leaves of the rose geranium plant, minced and put into the batter. There are whole leaves that line the pan first before you put the batter in, so that when you turn the cake out you’ve got this beautiful-looking cake embedded with those leaves.”

Esposito said she likes to treat each book signing and Q&A session as though she is having a conversation at someone’s kitchen table. During the Nov. 18 event at Gibson’s Bookstore, she said, her husband Guy — who is also Ciao Italia’s head gardener — will join her.

“Everything I know about vegetable gardening, I learned from him, so he’ll be coming along to probably answer some questions that I might not be able to answer,” she said.

Meet Mary Ann Esposito
Mary Ann Esposito presents Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook! Visit ciaoitalia.com.

• Thurs., Nov. 17, 7 p.m.: Water Street Bookstore, 125 Water St., Exeter (visit waterstreetbooks.com or call 778-9731)
• Fri., Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m.: Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St., Concord (visit gibsonsbookstore.com or call 224-0562)
• Sat., Dec. 10, 11 a.m.: Tuscan Market at Tuscan Village, 9 Via Toscana, Salem (event will also include a wine tasting with Tuscan Market wine director Joe Comforti; visit tuscanbrands.com or call 912-5467)

Three-squash soup with orzo
Courtesy of Mary Ann Esposito; taken from her book Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook! (makes 1 ½ quarts)

1 2-pound spaghetti squash, cut in half, seeded and cut in half again
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
2 large leeks (white part only), cut in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise into ¼-inch to ½-inch moons (about 2 cups)
2 cups large-diced zucchini
2 cups large-diced butternut squash
4 cups tomato juice
1 cup hot water
3½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
¾ cup orzo, ditalini or other small soup pasta
6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, minced

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the spaghetti squash quarters cut-side down in a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour in about ¼ inch of water. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until the squash is very soft (about 30 minutes). When it’s cool enough to handle, scoop the pulp from the shells and transfer it to a food processor or blender. Puree the squash (in batches if necessary) until smooth — there should be about 1½ cups of puree. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use (it can be prepared a day or two ahead if needed). While the squash is baking, melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. Add the leeks, cover and cook for three minutes, stirring a few times. Add the zucchini and butternut squash and stir to evenly mix the vegetables. Cover the pot and cook until the vegetables are cooked through but still retain their shape (about 12 minutes). Stir in the tomato juice, hot water, pureed squash and two teaspoons of the salt. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a small saucepan of water to a boil, stir in the remaining 1½ teaspoons of salt and the orzo, and cook until the orzo is al dente (about 10 minutes). Drain well, then stir the orzo into the soup. Stir in the basil and serve. (Note: spaghetti squash can be cooked in a microwave oven on high power for five to six minutes per pound. Be sure to pierce the rind before microwaving).

Featured photo: Mary Ann Esposito. Photo by John W. Hession..

Order your Thanksgiving essentials now

Now’s the time to get everything you need for your home Thanksgiving feast, from turkeys and hams to various side dishes, dessert pies and more. Check out this list of New Hampshire restaurants, markets, bakeries and other businesses offering takeout specials for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24.

• A Market Natural Foods (379 S. Willow St., Manchester, 668-2650, myamarket.com) is taking orders for Mary’s certified organic free range turkeys and Misty Knoll Vermont-raised turkeys for Thanksgiving, in addition to pies (flavors include pumpkin, granola-topped apple, chocolate cream, harvest berry, chocolate olive oil and cranberry spice) and quiches (flavors include spinach and bacon, chicken, sausage and potato, bacon and chive, garden vegetable, broccoli and cheddar, Greek, Italian, ham and cheddar and mushroom and cheddar). Order pies, quiches and Misty Knoll turkeys by Nov. 14. Order Mary’s organic turkeys by Nov. 17. Pickups will be on Monday, Nov. 21, for Misty Knoll turkeys and Wednesday, Nov. 23, for pies and quiches. Mary’s organic turkeys will be available while supplies last.

• All Real Meal (87 Elm St., Manchester, 782-3014, allrealmeal.com) is taking orders for fully prepared Thanksgiving meals in two sizes (feeding three to four people or seven to eight people), featuring slow-cooked turkey breast with gravy, cranberry apple stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, brown butter green beans, cranberry sauce, homestyle cornbread and turtle cheesecake for dessert. Meals will be delivered on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and will be ready to reheat the next day.

• Angela’s Pasta & Cheese Shop (815 Chestnut St., Manchester, 625-9544, angelaspastaandcheese.com) is taking orders for several a la carte sides for Thanksgiving, like turkey gravy, traditional bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, whipped maple sweet potatoes, butternut squash, maple walnut glazed carrots, herb-roasted green beans, cranberry relish and sausage and cranberry bread stuffing; as well as assorted dinner rolls, breads, nine-inch dessert pies (flavors include apple, pumpkin, pecan, cherry, chocolate cream, coconut cream, maple cream and more) and other sweet treats, like chocolate flourless torte, pumpkin bread, cranberry orange bread, lemon-glazed raspberry scones and assorted holiday shortbread cookies. Order by Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Applecrest Farm Orchards (133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls, 926-3721, applecrest.com) is taking orders for fresh Bell & Evans turkeys for Thanksgiving, in addition to homemade sides (stuffing, butternut squash, sweet potato casserole and more); and pies (flavors include apple, Boston cream, blueberry, cherry, pecan, pumpkin, strawberry rhubarb and more), as well as a variety of other scratch-made sweets and desserts. Order turkeys and sides by Nov. 13 and desserts by Nov. 20.

• Apple Hill Farm (580 Mountain Road, Concord, 224-8862, applehillfarmnh.com) is taking orders for a variety of flavors of pies for Thanksgiving, including apple, pumpkin, pecan and more. Order by Nov. 19. Pickups will be available through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Starting on Thanksgiving Day, the farm stand will be closed for the winter season.

• Atlantic Grill (5 Pioneer Road, Rye, 433-3000, theatlanticgrill.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty a la carte items for Thanksgiving, including entrees (duck confit or fig-stuffed pork roast); sides (mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, sweet potato hash, macaroni and cheese, herb stuffing, green bean casserole, crispy Brussels sprouts with a balsamic glaze, honey- roasted carrots, turmeric and black pepper caulini, turkey gravy and cranberry chutney); soups and salads (Caesar salad, harvest salad, Wine Country salad, lobster bisque, butternut squash bisque and seafood chowder); and desserts (apple crisp or pumpkin pie squares). Order by Nov. 19. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from noon to 8 p.m., and all items will come with reheating directions.

• The Bakeshop on Kelley Street (171 Kelley St., Manchester, 624-3500, thebakeshoponkelleystreet.com) is taking orders for several flavors of pies for Thanksgiving, including apple, Dutch apple, banana cream, chocolate cream, strawberry, butterscotch, Key lime, pumpkin, coconut cream, lemon meringue and others — a full list of flavors can be found on The Bakeshop’s Facebook page. You can also order “half and half” pies (for example, half apple and half pumpkin), as well as cupcakes, dinner rolls, pumpkin whoopie pies, cinnamon rolls, assorted pastry trays, holiday cakes and more. Order by Nov. 18. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Bearded Baking Co. (819 Union St., Manchester, 647-7150, beardedbaking.com) is taking orders for festive 8-inch cakes (pumpkin French toast or caramel apple), 8-inch creamy pumpkin cheesecakes with a gingersnap crust and optional whipped cream, pies (apple, pumpkin, pecan and chocolate cream), cupcakes (flavors include carrot, chocolate, vanilla and pumpkin with several types of buttercream options), vegan apple cider doughnuts and Parisian tortes. Order by Nov. 17. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Benson’s Bakery & Cafe (203 Central St., Hudson, 718-8683, bensonsbakeryandcafe.com) is taking orders for homemade pies for Thanksgiving, available in a variety of flavors from apple, pecan and pumpkin to chocolate cream, banana cream, blueberry, chocolate pecan and bourbon chocolate pecan. Order by Nov. 20.

• The Big Bad Food Truck (Hampton, bigbadnh.com) is taking orders for special catering trays for Thanksgiving, featuring turkey packages with all the fixings, including mashed sweet potatoes, cornbread stuffing, brown sugar glazed baby carrots, coleslaw and sweet corn. Items can also be ordered a la carte. Orders will be hand-delivered between Monday, Nov. 21, and Wednesday, Nov. 23 — all who place an order will be contacted within 48 hours to coordinate a time of delivery.

• Bite Me Kupcakez (4 Mound Court, Merrimack, 674-4459, bitemekupcakez.com) is taking orders for several specialty items for Thanksgiving, including strawberry shortcake, chocolate whipped cream cake, chocolate flourless torte and 6-inch cheesecake, in addition to dairy-free loaves (banana, banana chocolate chip, pumpkin and apple); and various dairy-free pies, cakes, cookies and more. Apple, apple crumb, pumpkin and blueberry pies can be made both dairy or dairy-free. You can also order brunch platters, featuring coffee cakes, muffins and doughnuts (vegan options are available as well). Order by Nov. 15. Those who place orders will be contacted the week of Thanksgiving to arrange a pickup time.

• The Black Forest Cafe & Bakery (212 Route 101, Amherst, 672-0500, blackforestcafeandbakery.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty a la carte items for Thanksgiving, including entrees (chicken and creamy mushroom thyme sauce, slow-braised short ribs, Italian sausage lasagna, vegetarian lasagna, and chicken and sun-dried tomato penne); sides (focaccia stuffing, turkey gravy, cranberry orange sauce, sweet and white smashed potatoes, maple and Dijon carrots and parsnips, cream of curried butternut squash soup and maple bacon Brussels sprouts); scratch-made dips and spreads (spinach chipotle dip, Southern pimiento cheese and herbed goat cheese spread) and party trays (cheese trays or garden vegetable trays with dip). Desserts are also available to order, including 9-inch pies (traditional apple, Dutch apple, cranberry apple, pumpkin, pecan and chocolate cream); cakes (coconut, carrot, cannoli, chocolate mousse and gluten-free drunken pumpkin mousse); and assorted holiday cookies (shortbread pumpkins or colorful fall leaves, maple walnut leaves and pecan chocolate-dipped acorns). Order by Nov. 19. Pickups will be available through Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m.

• Blue Loon Bakery (12 Lovering Lane, New London, 526-2892, blueloonbakery.com) is taking orders for various holiday pies, breads, quiches and pastries for Thanksgiving — options include apple cranberry galettes, butter, chocolate or almond croissants, ham and cheese croissants, sticky buns and more. View the full holiday menu at toasttab.com/blue-loon-bakery. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to noon.

• Brothers Butcher (8 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, 809-4180; 142 Lowell Road, Hudson, 577-1130; brothers-butcher.com) is taking orders for fresh free-range turkeys for Thanksgiving, in addition to a la carte sides, like sausage and herb stuffing, traditional bread stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, butternut squash and turkey gravy; and 10-inch pies (flavors include apple, pumpkin, pecan and chocolate cream). Pickups will be on Monday, Nov. 21, Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Buckley’s Bakery & Cafe (436 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 262-5929, buckleysbakerycafe.com) and Buckley’s Market & Cafe (9 Market Place, Hollis, 465-5522) are taking orders for cakes (“The Great Pumpkin” whoopie pie, apple spice, apple crisp cheesecake and double chocolate); 8-inch pies (pecan, apple, pumpkin, chocolate cream and blueberry crisp); and loaves and rolls (Parker House rolls, cranberry almond crumb cake and dairy-free pumpkin spice bread); as well as assorted breakfast and dessert pastry trays. Order by Nov. 19.

• The Cake Fairy (114 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, 518-8733, cakefairynh.com) is taking orders for festive 9-inch pies (flavors include apple, pumpkin and chocolate cream), apple crisp, 4-inch cheesecakes (plain, strawberry and pumpkin), whoopie pies (pumpkin or chocolate) 5-inch breakfast breads (banana, coffee cake, cranberry orange and pumpkin), and 5-inch Thanksgiving butter cookies. Order by Nov. 19 (cash is preferred). Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. First come, first served items will also be available that day while supplies last.

• Caroline’s Fine Food (132 Bedford Center Road, Bedford, 637-1615, carolinesfood.com) is taking orders for special meals for Thanksgiving — options include pork ballotine stuffed with a savory sausage herb and apple stuffing, turkey ballotine stuffed with a savory sausage and stuffing, or roasted beef tenderloin with a horseradish cream sauce. A la carte sides are also available, from herb-roasted sweet potatoes, sausage sage stuffing and roasted butternut squash to roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and thyme, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce and roasted root vegetables. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from noon to 3 p.m., and reheating instructions will be included.

• Carter Hill Orchard (73 Carter Hill Road, Concord, 225-2625, carterhillapples.com) is taking orders for Thanksgiving pies available in a variety of flavors, like apple, Dutch apple, pumpkin, blueberry, strawberry rhubarb and more. Order by Nov. 20.

• Castleton Banquet & Conference Center (58 Enterprise Drive, Windham, 898-6300, castletonbcc.com) is taking orders for Thanksgiving catering meals to go. Two dinner package options are available — featuring traditional whole turkey with house bread stuffing, or spiral glazed ham — both with homestyle mashed potatoes, butternut squash, dinner rolls, and your choice of apple, pecan, pumpkin or blueberry pie. A variety of items are also available a la carte, including sides by the quart (glazed carrots, green beans amandine, roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, homestyle mashed potatoes, house bread stuffing, turkey gravy and homemade cranberry relish) and baked goods (dinner rolls by the dozen, or 10-inch apple, pumpkin, pecan or blueberry pies). You can also personalize your holiday dinner, with hors d’oeuvres by the dozen (scallop and bacon skewers, crabmeat-stuffed mushrooms, asparagus and Asiago wraps, smoked Gouda macaroni and cheese bites, petite arancini, almond raspberry brie tarts and spanakopita); and various white and red wines are also available to add to your package. Order by Nov. 17 at noon. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Cherry Bomb Cookie Co. (Exeter, find them on Facebook @cherrybombcookieco) is taking orders for a variety of specialty decorated sugar cookies, with designs that include Thanksgiving turkeys, pies, fall leaves, pumpkins and more. You can also order freshly baked triple chocolate chip cookies and do-it-yourself decorative sugar cookie kits. Order by Nov. 16. Pickups will be on Monday, Nov. 21, Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Colby Hill Inn (33 The Oaks, Henniker, 428-3281, colbyhillinn.com) is offering special customizable “Thanksgiving in a Box” packages, featuring your choice of a first course (apple cider and fall squash soup, oyster and scallop chowder, fall greens and grilled pear salad, market greens or sweet potato, roast apple and goat cheese pierogi); an entree (cider-brined turkey, crisp porchetta, four-grain “risotto” with mushroom and parsnip ragout, juniper and smoked sea salt-crusted salmon and peppercorn and rosemary-crusted veal rib roast); and a dessert (apple pie slice, pecan pie slice, pumpkin pie slice, sea salt caramel chocolate cake, ricotta cheesecake with cranberry-apple chutney and harvest rice pudding brulee). Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 24, until 1 p.m.

• The Common Man (25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; Lakehouse Grille, 281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-5221; 10 Pollard Road, Lincoln, 745-3463; 21 Water St., Claremont, 542-6171; Foster’s Boiler Room, 231 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2764; 60 Main St., Ashland, 968-7030; Lago, 1 Route 25, Meredith, 279-2253; Camp, 298 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3003; Airport Diner, 2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040; Tilt’n Diner, 61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204; Route 104 Diner, 752 Route 104, New Hampton, 744-0120; thecman.com) is taking orders for Thanksgiving meals to go for up to four people, featuring oven-roasted turkey breast with housemade pan gravy, whole-berry cranberry sauce, signature stuffing, country mashed potatoes, maple-roasted butternut squash, garlicky green beans, dinner rolls and butter sweet bread and a slice of pumpkin pie with cinnamon whipped cream for dessert. Optional a la carte items are also available for four, including glazed ham, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, Brussels sprouts with bacon and caramelized onions, and house baked apple, pecan or pumpkin pies. Order by Nov. 18. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Concord Food Co-op (24 S. Main St., Concord, 225-6840, concordfoodcoop.coop) is taking orders for fresh natural or organic turkeys for Thanksgiving, in addition to full meals or a la carte sides, like mashed sweet potatoes, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, apple-roasted green beans, stuffing, turkey gravy, maple ginger carrots and housemade cranberry sauce. Prepared meal orders are due by Nov. 13. Turkeys should be ordered as soon as possible. Pickups will start on Monday, Nov. 21, for turkeys and will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for prepared meals.

• Copper Kettle To Go (39 Main St., Wilton, 654-2631, copperkettletogo.com) is taking orders for festive pies for Thanksgiving, with flavors that include pecan, pumpkin, Dutch apple, blueberry cream cheese, coconut custard, Kentucky Derby and pumpkin whoopie pies, in addition to small- and large-sized turkey dinners (feeds to two four people and five to six people, respectively) of turkey, stuffing, squash, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce and gravy. Pickups will be through Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m.

• Crémeux French Pâtisserie (707 Milford Road, Merrimack, 320-4702, cremeuxfrenchpatisserie.com) is taking orders for several types of scratch-made French desserts for Thanksgiving, including lemon and honey tarts, maple and walnut tarts and tarte bourdaloue (pear tarte). Order by Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Crosby Bakery (51 E. Pearl St., Nashua, 882-1851, crosbybakerynh.com) is taking orders for 8-inch or 10-inch pies (serving six to eight people or 12 to 15 people respectively) — flavors include apple, apple crumb, blueberry, banana cream, cherry, coconut cream, coconut meringue, chocolate cream, lemon meringue, mincemeat, pumpkin and pecan; apple and blueberry can also be ordered sugar-free). You can also order assorted dinner rolls; savory specialties like gorton (Canadian pork spread) and salmon pie; cookie platters, pastry platters and more. Order by Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. Pickups will be Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• The Crust & Crumb Baking Co. (126 N. Main St., Concord, 219-0763, thecrustandcrumb.com) is taking orders for 6-inch or 9-inch pies (flavors include classic or chocolate pumpkin, Key lime, cherry, blueberry coconut crisp, blueberry streusel, apple streusel, forest berry crumb, maple bourbon pecan, chocolate cream, maple cream and coconut cream); quiches (broccoli cheddar, spinach tomato feta and bacon onion Swiss); and cakes (sour cream coffee cake, ginger pear crumb, flourless chocolate torte, chocolate-chocolate layer cake, lemon-raspberry layer cake and pumpkin spice cheesecake); as well as Shaker squash rolls and butter rolls. Order by Nov. 18. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Ding Dong Deliver (dingdongdeliver.com) is a ghost kitchen powered by Great New Hampshire Restaurants, which owns T-Bones Great American Eatery, CJ’s Great West Grill and the Copper Door restaurants. Featured items for the week of Thanksgiving include roast turkey dinner packs, butchered roasts, freshly baked pies and cakes and more. Ordering will be available from Wednesday, Nov. 16, through Friday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m., for deliveries and pickups on Wednesday, Nov. 23, to the Manchester and Bedford communities.

• Fire and Spice Bistro (70 Route 108, Newfields, 418-7121, fireandspicebistro.com) is taking orders for custom pies and muffins for Thanksgiving — pie flavors include apple, blueberry, pumpkin, chocolate cream, pecan pie and a traditional meat pie with slow-cooked pork, potatoes and spices, while muffin flavors include blueberry and coffee cake. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, from noon to 5 p.m.

• Frederick’s Pastries (109 Route 101A, Amherst, 882-7725; 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 647-2253; pastry.net) is taking orders for a variety of festive sweets and treats for Thanksgiving, including caramel pumpkin mousse cheesecake cups, apple tarts, autumn wreath cakes, caramel pecan cheesecake and more. Order by Nov. 10. Beginning Nov. 11, Frederick’s will serve a menu of limited holiday-themed offerings.

• Fresh AF Bakeshop (34 Church St., Kingston, 642-8609, freshafbakeshop.com) is taking orders for a variety of freshly baked items for preorder for Thanksgiving, including 9-inch pies (apple crumb, pumpkin, sweet potato and marshmallow, blueberry, banana pudding, black bottom chocolate mousse and “whiskey business” pecan); 6- or 8-inch cakes (“fallfetti,” pumpkin, triple chocolate brownie and apple cider doughnut); cupcakes (chocolate fudge, funfetti, pumpkin spice, apple cider doughnut, blueberry crisp and pecan turtle pie); macarons (blueberry cobbler, pumpkin roll, apple pie, caramel chai, death by chocolate and pecan cheesecake); and other treats, like take-and-bake apple crisp, jumbo cinnamon buns, frosted cookie platters and more. Order by Nov. 18. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• The Fresh Chef Press (775 Canal St., Manchester, 716-7197, freshchefmp.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty a la carte items for Thanksgiving, including butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, fresh cranberry sauce, green beans, Italian sausage stuffed mushrooms, red bliss mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, vegetable-stuffed mushrooms and more. Order by Nov. 18.

• From Gracie’s Table (Brookline, fromgraciestable.com) is taking orders for several flavors of pies for Thanksgiving, including apple, apple crisp, pumpkin and chocolate truffle. Order by Nov. 20 for pickup at Brookline’s Finest (181 Route 13, Brookline). A 15 percent discount is available to those who order on the website.

• Granite State Candy Shoppe (832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885; 13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; granitestatecandyshoppe.com) has several Thanksgiving- and fall-themed treats, like milk, dark and white chocolate turkey mold pops, one-ounce chocolate turkeys and eight-ounce pumpkin pie almonds.

• Greenleaf (54 Nashua St., Milford, 213-5447, greenleafmilford.com) is taking orders for Thanksgiving dinners to go, featuring roasted turkey breast with stuffing, roasted garlic and herb potatoes, honey glazed carrots, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and gravy, along with a seasonal mixed green salad with an apple cider vinaigrette. You can also add on various optional items to your order, like brioche Parker House dinner rolls with a whipped molasses honey butter; and several desserts, like apple galettes with salted caramel, cranberry swirl cheesecake slices and pumpkin pie slices. Order by Nov. 19. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from noon to 8 p.m., and will come with specific heating instructions.

• Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant (233 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-6212, hartsturkeyfarm.com) is taking orders for ready-to-eat family-sized whole roasted turkey dinners, featuring small (feeds two to six people), medium (feeds six to 10 people) and large (feeds 10 to 14 people) meals. Dinners come with gravy, stuffing, whipped potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and either apple, pumpkin or chocolate cream pie. Individual-sized roasted turkey dinners are also available. Curbside pickups will be on Thursday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Harvey’s Bakery & Coffee Shop (376 Central Ave., Dover, 742-6029, harveysbakery.com) is taking orders for 8-inch or family-sized 10-inch pies (flavors include apple, blueberry, coconut cream, Boston cream, lemon meringue, cherry, chocolate cream, banana cream, pumpkin, pecan, squash, pork, chicken and custard); as well as dinner rolls sold by the dozen (Parker House, butter, whole wheat, cloverleaf, knot, crusty white, Vienna and snowflake). Order by Nov. 17.

• Hulda’s Swedish Baked Goods (Brookline, swedishbakers.com) is taking orders for traditional items like limpa (Swedish rye bread), cardamom braids, kanelbullar (Swedish cinnamon rolls), pepparkakor (ginger spice cookies) and more. Order by Nov. 16. Pickups will be on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Brookline, or at the Milford Farmers Market (Town Hall Auditorium, 1 Union Square, Milford) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Johnson Golden Harvest (412 W. River Road, Hooksett, 210-2031, johnsongoldenharvest.com) is taking orders for fresh free-range turkeys from Vermont’s Misty Knoll Farm, in addition to several flavors of homemade pies, freshly baked breads and various gluten-free goodies. Order by Nov. 16. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Joyfull Eats (Deep Meadow Variety, 93 Linden St., Exeter, 778-1526, find them on Facebook @joyfulleatsnh) is taking orders for several specialty items for Thanksgiving, like lentil loaves, green bean and spinach casserole, oat stuffing, mashed butternut squash, corn muffins, apple crumble pie and pumpkin pie. Items can be ordered a la carte or as a meal package, with three sizes available (feeding one to two people, four to six people or eight to 10 people, respectively). Order by Nov. 20 at noon. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Local Baskit (10 Ferry St., Suite 120A, Concord, 219-0882, localbaskit.com) is taking orders for specialty meal kits for Thanksgiving, partnering with local farms, restaurants and other businesses. Options include a Brussels sprouts kit featuring local ingredients from Two Mountain Farm in Andover, as well as a stuffing meal kit, plus pies from Apple Hill Farm in Concord or pumpkin cheesecake or ricotta pie from Modern Pastry of Boston. Check out Local Baskit’s go-to charcuterie boards too, on the Grazing Baskit page on their website. Order by Nov. 18.

• Meadow Ledge Farm (612 Route 129, Loudon, 798-5860, meadowledgefarm.com) is taking orders for pies for Thanksgiving — flavors include apple, apple crumb, apple blueberry crumb, blueberry, triple berry, strawberry rhubarb, cherry, pecan, apple cream, blueberry cream, cherry cream, pumpkin cream, chocolate cream, banana cream, lemon meringue and lemon blueberry meringue. Order by Nov. 19. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Moulton’s Kitchen & Market (10 Main St., Amherst, 673-2404, moultonsmarket.com) is taking orders for a variety of Thanksgiving essentials a la carte, like carved roasted turkey breast, herbed turkey gravy, whipped mashed potatoes, traditional bread stuffing, spiced butternut squash and freshly made whole cranberry sauce, as well as freshly baked apple or pumpkin pies (sizes include 6-inch or 9-inch). Order by Nov. 15 at noon. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, through 4 p.m.

• Mr. Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese (497 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 606-1760, mr-macs.com) is taking orders for both hot-and-ready and take-and-bake trays of macaroni and cheese, as well as macaroni salads, assorted green salads, desserts and more. Placing orders at least 24 hours in advance is appreciated.

• New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 782-5137, taphousenh.com) is taking orders for its traditional French-Canadian holiday meat pies, made with pork, beef, potatoes, celery, onions, garlic and a house-made crust and ready to bake at home. Order by Nov. 18. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 3 to 6 p.m.

• Northwoods Brewing Co. (1334 First New Hampshire Turnpike, Northwood, 942-6400, northwoodsbrewingcompany.com) is taking orders for a variety of items out of its in house bakery for Thanksgiving, including nine-inch fruit pies (apple, blueberry, bumbleberry, four berry and strawberry rhubarb); nine-inch cream or custard pies (chocolate cream, coconut cream, custard and pumpkin); quiches (meat and cheese or vegetable and cheese); as well as assorted bread loaves, scones and crullers available in a variety of flavors (see the full flavor list at the bottom of the online order form). Order by Nov. 20. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Osteria Poggio (18 Main St., Center Harbor, 250-8007, osteriapoggio.com) is taking orders for several a la carte sides for Thanksgiving, including potatoes au gratin, cranberry relish, duck fat roasted Brussels sprouts, ginger candied yams, brioche rolls and corn muffins. Pies are also available, with flavors like blackberry ginger apple, pumpkin dulce de leche, cranberry curd and coconut cream. Order by Nov. 20. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Pinard Street Bakery at Charlie’s (1 Pinard St., Manchester, 606-1835, pinardstreetbakery.business.site) is taking orders for freshly baked 14-inch pies for Thanksgiving — flavors include apple, pumpkin, chocolate cream and a savory pork pie with onion, carrots, potatoes and a homemade spice filling. Order by Nov. 20. Pickups will be on Monday, Nov. 21, Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Popovers on the Square (11 Brickyard Square, Epping, 734-4724; 8 Congress St., Portsmouth, 431-1119; popoversonthesquare.com) is taking orders for several in-house bakery items for Thanksgiving, including pies (apple, pecan, pumpkin, coconut cream, chocolate cream, Key lime and apple crumb); gluten-free pies (apple, pecan, pumpkin, coconut cream and chocolate cream); and other assorted goodies, like fall leaf, pumpkin or turkey sugar cookies, pumpkin cheesecake and fresh fruit cheesecake. Order by Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Presto Craft Kitchen (168 Amory St., Manchester, 606-1252, prestocraftkitchen.com) is taking orders for several specialty take-and-bake sides for Thanksgiving, like homemade mashed potatoes, country-style stuffing, garlic green beans, maple sweet potatoes with marshmallow, mashed butternut squash, hand-pressed cranberry sauce, honey-glazed carrots and turkey gravy. Two-pound or four-pound oven-roasted turkeys are also available to order, as well as “all the trimmings” packages of sides that feature mashed potatoes, stuffing, bread rolls and butter, gravy, cranberry sauce and two vegetables. Presto Craft Kitchen’s sister business, Custom Eats & Sweets, is also taking orders for pies (pumpkin, apple, blueberry, banana cream, chocolate cream, coconut cream, cannoli cream and cookies and cream); and cakes (lemon mascarpone, pumpkin praline cheesecake, pistachio and ricotta, triple chocolate, apple crisp cheesecake and more). Order by Nov. 14.

• Queen City Cupcakes (790 Elm St., Manchester, 624-4999, qccupcakes.com) is taking orders for a variety of festive cupcake flavors for Thanksgiving, including gingerbread cookie, chocolate salted caramel, cherry almond, sweet potato, apple cider and more. Order by Nov. 19. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• The Red Arrow Diner (61 Lowell St., Manchester, 626-1118; 137 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 552-3091; 112 Loudon Road, Concord, 415-0444; 149 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 204-5088; redarrowdiner.com) is taking orders for its specialty homemade desserts for Thanksgiving, including multiple flavors of 10-inch pies, double-layer cakes, “Dinah fingers” (homemade Twinkies), eclairs, whoopie pies and more. Orders can be placed online with at least a 24-hour notice in advance of pickup.

• The Red Blazer Restaurant & Pub (72 Manchester St., Concord, 224-4101, theredblazer.com) is taking orders for pies, cakes, breads, dessert platters and more for Thanksgiving, all in a variety of flavors. New this year, bakery orders can be placed through the website, or by emailing or calling. Order by Nov. 20.

• Rig A Tony’s Italian Takeout & Catering (38 W. Broadway, Derry, 425-6116; 13 Rockingham Road, Windham, 685-8122; 254 Wallace Road, Bedford, 488-2877; rigatonysitalian.com) is taking orders for complete Thanksgiving dinners to go, featuring 18-to-20-pound fully cooked turkeys with mashed potatoes, stuffing, butternut squash, roasted corn, cranberry sauce and homemade gravy. You can also order various Italian specialties, from antipasto, lasagna and eggplant Parmesan to stuffed shells, meatballs and stuffed artichokes; and homemade pies (flavors include apple, pumpkin, pecan, blueberry, chocolate cream, coconut cream and lemon meringue). Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Roundabout Diner & Lounge (580 U.S. Highway 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, 431-1440, roundaboutdiner.com) is taking orders for Thanksgiving meals to go, featuring house roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, butternut squash, peas and pearl onions, cranberry relish, homemade gravy, cinnamon applesauce and your choice of a homemade pie (pumpkin, apple, blueberry, pecan, banana cream, coconut cream, Key lime and chocolate cream). Two package sizes are available, serving either six to eight people or 10 to 12 people. You can also order most of the sides a la carte. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, or Thursday, Nov. 24, through 2 p.m.

• Smoke Shack Cafe (226 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 404-2178, smokeshackcafe.com) is taking orders for Thanksgiving meal packages to go, which include smoked turkey, cornbread, gravy and cranberry sauce, in addition to your choice of sides (butternut squash, corn saute, green beans, jalapeno and sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy). You can also order various holiday pies (pecan, apple, pumpkin and chocolate cream), and other a la carte items, like bacon-wrapped turkey breast with jalapeno and sausage stuffing. Order by Nov. 20. Pickups will be on Thursday, Nov. 24.

• St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (1160 Bridge St., Manchester, 625-6115, stnicholasgreekchurch.com) will hold its third annual bake sale and live auction on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature several homemade Greek pastries available for sale, as well as various specialty items that will be auctioned off from noon to 2 p.m.

• Sweet Hill Farm (82 Newton Road, Plaistow, 974-7279, sweethillfarm.com) is taking orders for 9-inch pies in a variety of flavors, including apple, apple crisp, blueberry, blueberry crisp, triple berry, strawberry rhubarb, pecan, pumpkin, Key lime, peanut butter mousse, peanut butter cup and chocolate French silk. Some pie flavors are available either baked or frozen, while others are available frozen only. Order by Nov. 15. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• The Sweet Spot (353 Riverdale Road, Weare, 529-6667, thesweetspotnh.com) is taking orders for 9-inch pies (apple, apple crumb, pumpkin, pecan and cherry); 6-inch or 8-inch pumpkin cheesecakes with graham cracker or walnut crusts; assorted biscotti or decorated sugar cookies; quick breads (pumpkin apple or cranberry walnut with a streusel and orange glaze); enriched snowflake rolls, gluten-free multigrain boules, sweet potato soup (available pint- or quart-sized); and Jake’s Ice Cream, available in pints or quarts (flavors include vanilla, cinnamon or pumpkin). Place your orders as soon as possible.

• Tammaro’s Cucina (469 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 377-7312, tammaros.com) is taking orders for half-sized (feeds six to eight people) and full-sized (feeds 12 to 14 people) trays of home-cooked Italian meals for Thanksgiving, from meat or cheese lasagna to spaghetti and meatballs, chicken or eggplant Parmesan and more. Order by Nov. 21. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• The Traveling Foodie (Merrimack, jrmcateringllc.com) is taking orders for whole turkey dinners for Thanksgiving, available roasted or smoked, with a lineup of fresh sides that includes sausage apple stuffing and gravy, roasted garlic Brussels sprouts or green bean casserole, mashed candied sweet potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, butternut squash, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. You can also order all of these sides a la carte, in addition to others, like baked macaroni and cheese and garlic cheddar biscuits, and salads, like red bliss potato salad, garden salad and pasta salad. Order by Nov. 11. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Anheuser-Busch Brewery (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack).

• Tuscan Market (9 Via Toscana, Salem, 912-5467, tuscanbrands.com) is taking orders for whole roasted turkey dinners, which come with maple-roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts with pancetta and aged balsamic dressing, mascarpone whipped potatoes, porcini mushroom ciabatta stuffing with Parmigiano Reggiano and toasted pine nuts, heirloom cranberry and Marsala wine compote, fresh herb gravy focaccia and loaf of ciabatta (feeds six to eight people). A variety of a la carte items are also available to order, including main courses (carved roast turkey, herb-roasted leoncini ham, prosciutto-wrapped pork loin, roasted salmon, boneless prime rib, roast beef tenderloin and porchetta roast); antipasti platters; sides (honey-glazed root vegetables, Brussels sprouts, green beans with almonds, cranberry Marsala wine compote, acorn squash cups and sage crema, prosciutto-stuffed shells, maple-roasted sweet potato, balsamic roasted carrots, mascarpone whipped potato, turkey pan gravy, porcini mushroom ciabatta stuffing and Tuscan macaroni and cheese); soups (roasted butternut squash and ginger, traditional Italian wedding and sausage and kale); 10-inch pies (Cortland apple, pecan and pumpkin) and other desserts (tiramisu squares, flourless chocolate torte and and pumpkin cheesecake). Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Twelve 31 Events (100 N. Main St., Concord; 261 Main St., Tilton; 818-0012, twelve31.events) is taking orders for various a la carte sides to accompany your Thanksgiving feast, from garlic mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes with a brown sugar glaze to cornbread stuffing, stuffed mushrooms, green beans with sliced almonds and butter, and pumpkin or apple pie for dessert. Order by Nov. 18. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, or Wednesday, Nov. 23, at either location, and all sides will come with heating instructions.

• Twelve Pine Restaurant & Gourmet Marketplace (11 School St., Peterborough, 924-6140, twelvepine.com) is taking orders for Thanksgiving dinners to go, featuring whole roasted fresh turkey, old-fashioned herb stuffing, traditional mashed potatoes, roasted green beans or Brussels sprouts, cranberry orange relish, pumpkin soup, crusty dinner rolls and your choice of apple or pumpkin pie. Most of the sides and desserts can also be ordered a la carte. Order by Nov. 18. Pickups will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23, through 6 p.m.

• Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester, 627-1611, vanotischocolates.com) has various Thanksgiving-themed chocolates and treats, including hollow chocolate turkeys, fall-themed Swiss fudge and chocolate cornucopias filled with mixed nuts.

• Whisk Chick (Derry, [email protected], and on Facebook and Instagram @whiskchickbakes) is taking orders for specialty sweet boards (think charcuterie-style, but with a collection of freshly baked sweet treats and candy-dipped items), in addition to whole pies, with flavors that include apple, pumpkin, pecan, banana cream and chocolate cream. Order by Nov. 18.

• Wicked Good Butchah (209 Route 101, Bedford, 488-1832, wickedgoodbutchahnh.com) is taking orders for turkeys, roasts and hams for Thanksgiving — ordering as soon as possible is recommended, with pickups on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Wild Orchid Bakery (836 Elm St., Manchester, 935-7338, wildorchidbakery.com) is taking Thanksgiving orders for pies (apple or pumpkin), as well as apple crisp, chocolate turkey cakes with chocolate buttercream, four-layer pumpkin cakes with cinnamon buttercream, assorted cupcakes, fresh bread rolls and more. Order by Nov. 14. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

• Yankee Farmer’s Market (360 Route 103 E., Warner, 456-2833, yankeefarmersmarket.com) is taking orders for fresh Vermont-raised turkeys for Thanksgiving, in addition to locally made pies (flavors include pumpkin, apple crumb, blueberry crumb, chocolate cream, coconut cream, pecan, maple walnut and cherry), and breads (flavors include pumpkin, cranberry orange and banana). Order by Nov. 10. Pickups will be on Monday, Nov. 21, Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.