Author Archives: Gary Allen

Every spring, probably since the last ice age, several species of ocean fish travel — like salmon — up the Hudson to spawn. First come the shad, then herring, followed closely by striped bass. The shad are actually a large species of herring, while the … Continue reading →

Summer has come on with a vengeance this year, and for some reason, the summers we remember are always more glorious than the one we’re experiencing. Perhaps it’s just that we were children back then, when everything was magical (or so … Continue reading →

A new Scrooge, waking on Christmas morning, decided that it was high time to mend his ways. Leaning out of his frosty window, he called to an errand boy to buy the biggest turkey available — ”not the little prize turkey, the … Continue reading →

Our American Thanksgiving, which was originally a modified form of older harvest festivals, has gradually evolved into a different kind of harvest festival — one that celebrates processed foods. Family farms have been replaced by agri-​​​​business, and the supermarket is the true focus of … Continue reading →

In the summer, chips and dips appear on outdoor tables everywhere. Today, it’s almost unthinkable to fire up the grill until this first line of drinks and appetizers have been served. It was not always so. A while back, someone asked, … Continue reading →

Throughout history, people have tried to turn lead into gold, either in actuality or metaphorically. When we think of Welsh Rabbit (melted cheese), Bombay Duck (dried fish), or Scotch Woodcock” (chopped hard-​​​​boiled eggs and cream on toast), it’s usually a rare … Continue reading →

Humans are not the only species that saves food for leaner times. Some animals simply build up their fat reserves. Some hide their surplus food in places where they can access them later. Only a small number of species alter their … Continue reading →

Did I ever tell you about my day with the late Zal Yanofsky, former lead guitarist for the Lovin’ Spoonful? Decades ago, long before I was the upright citizen you see today, I was a struggling young illustrator/​​designer, living in an empty apartment in … Continue reading →