Beware: Calling All Ghouls and Goblins

About author / Christine Gable

Culinary enthusiast; kids cuisine and slow cooking; magazine recipe developer; professional writer. Her simple recipes are great for family dinners.

Warning: This article uses food in ghoulish ways. Read on at your own risk.

It’s right around the corner. That haunting time of the year when you can transform your hidden, mysterious, more devilish side—especially if you’re 12 or under (and can go trick-or-treating)! If your family joins in the celebrations at All Hallow’s Eve, it can also be another creative way to enjoy good food together.

Halloween has long been one of my son’s favorite holidays. And it’s not just for the candy either—he has enjoyed dressing up and preparing for parties even more than going through that bucket of candy. Every few years we pull together a Halloween party for friends and family, and it’s where many of our fun memories have originated. If you have teens that no longer go door-to-door for treats but would still like to celebrate, a Halloween party (large or small) just may fit the bill.

Sure, parties and food are a natural fit, but food at Halloween parties is not just for eating. Did you know it can imitate body parts—just think eyeballs, fingernails and intestines. Yes, you and the kids can have quite a ball prepping this creepy event ahead of time.

First you’ll need a ghost story, something that leaves the opportunity to add tactile explorations. And this is where your kids will show boundless creativity and ideas. Check your library or search the Internet for appropriate stories, adapting as necessary.

About a day or two before the party, assemble these ghoulish body parts in separate ziploc bags, numbered or labeled in the order you’ll need them. One of the best parts about his game is that you can utilize those crisper drawer stowaways and actually find some good uses for them.

Eyes: peeled grapes
Fingers: baby carrots
Tongue: dried pear soaked in water to reconstitute or slice of thick cheese or salami
Brains: Cooked and cooled ramen noodles
Intestines: Jello, chopped with fork
Fingernails: Almond slices
Stomach: Wet balloon filled with miscellaneous food chunks and water

You get the idea. The only limit is your (and your kids’) imagination.

You have a choice of how to present these items in your ghost story: One year we made “feely boxes” that the guests reached their hand into. We used regular cardboard boxes, cut a hole in the top and placed the offending “body parts” inside. We also used scrap fabric remnants to duct tape a fabric opening that would keep anyone from seeing inside.

Another year we went easy on ourselves—we just prepped the foods in bowls and had them in order. When it was time for the ghost story, we sat in a darkened room (and don’t forget the cobwebs and scary music!), and passed the bowls in front of everyone, running their hands through each unknown concoction.

And don’t forget the other party fun—from bobbing for apples to decorating pumpkins, and even a few ghoulish games, Halloween parties are a scare for all ages.

Here’s a fun party food that can be prepped the day ahead—kids will love wrapping the mummy bandages around the hotdogs—and then at party time, just bake and serve.

Serves/Makes: 8

• 1 can (11 ounce size) refrigerated breadstick dough
• 8 hot dogs
• mustard
• poppy seeds