Pick a place for a fall picnic

When the fall weather is near-perfect and the view is spectacular, you don’t want to waste a moment inside.

That’s when it’s time to pack a picnic to eat on the go — in between hiking, apple picking or cheering for the high school sports teams.

While summer picnics tend to focus on light fare, autumn’s cooler weather is suited for heartier spreads, says Susanna Keefer of Susanna’s Catering in Morrisville.

“People go for food that’s more seasonal and keeps them a little warmer and gives them a more satisfied feeling in their bodies this time of year,” Keefer said.

When planning a menu, it’s best to put away your salad recipes until spring.

“Get over salad,” Keefer said. “It’s never going to taste as good as when it’s dressed at your table. Stick to good carbohydrates that are going to fill you.”

A loaf of good-quality bread is essential and easy to find locally. Harvest Market in Stowe and Elmore Mountain Bread bake artisan loaves daily.

While Vermont cheeses make a perfect accompaniment, Keefer suggests packing a few versatile spreads and dips as well.

Her catering company produces Mama Hoo-Rah, a versatile condiment that can be a sauce, spread or dip. A roasted red pepper base and a proprietary mix of spices give it some kick, while ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses and maple syrup prevent the heat from being overwhelming. Pureed white beans give it a smooth texture.

Keefer also recommends taking a jar of honey or maple mustard to dip apple slices. The maple mustard could also be used as a dip for pretzels and cheese.

Slices of Vermont Smoke and Cure pepperoni or other locally made charcuterie offer tasty options for meat lovers.

Cooked foods that taste good cold are perfect picnic fare, Keefer says.

“Frittatas are easy to take and you can fill them with seasonal squashes and greens like kale,” Keefer said.

Adults and children will all enjoy bite-size macaroni and cheese bites. Recipes abound online, from simple to gourmet. Cooking them in mini-muffin papers will make them especially portable.

For vegetables, Keefer recommends roasting a delicata squash, an oblong, yellow variety with green stripes. After roasting, slice it, leaving the bottom of the slices attached for easy transport. The slices can be dipped into apple jam or maple syrup.

Similarly, you can bake whole sweet potatoes, transport them whole and slice them into segments at the picnic to enjoy with your favorite seasoned salts.

“Paprika salt would give it an excellent taste,” Keefer said.

A stop at Boyden Winery in Cambridge offers great views and a chance to sample locally produced wines. For an after-picnic treat, pick up a bottle of Vermont Ice Apple Crème Liqueur or Vermont Ice Maple Crème Liqueur.

A growler of beer from Rock Art Brewery or Lost Nation Brewery, both in Morrisville, are also great choices when it comes to local libations.

Desserts that are made with seasonal ingredients and easy to transport work best as a final course to your outdoor autumn feast.

“If you want to incorporate apples, make an apple crumb cake or upside-down apple tart with maple syrup,” Keefer suggests.

Leaf peeper picnics

You may want to keep a blanket and cooler in your trunk for days when you decide to put together a picnic lunch on the fly.

There are plenty of places in Stowe where you can quickly grab a snack or a full meal to eat alfresco while you enjoy fantastic foliage. Here’s a sampling:

• Harvest Market at 1031 Mountain Road has ready-made sandwiches, salads and a wide variety of charcuterie. The popular specialty food store bakes bread daily in its wood-fired ovens and offers a tempting selection of baked goods, from cakes and pies to cookies, bars and scones. Take time to pore over its seemingly endless display of gourmet spreads, dips and jams. Phone: 253-3800.

• Stowe Wine and Cheese at 1799 Mountain Road. A knowledgeable staff and full selection of wines from every corner of the globe will tempt you to buy a bottle for your picnic and another for later. The cheese selection is phenomenal and there are samples to help you choose a new favorite. Phone: 253-8606.

• Commodities Natural Market at 512 Mountain Road offers organic produce, and Vermont-made cheeses for your baguettes. There’s a great selection of organic juices, natural sodas and kombucha. You’ll also find plenty of packaged natural snacks, from chips to granola and nuts. Phone: 253-4464.

• Edelweiss Mountain Deli at 2251 Mountain Road. A full selection of sandwiches and baked goods make it easy to throw together a simple picnic. Try the chocolate chip cookies and whoopie pies. Phone: 253-4034.

• Café on Main at 38 Main St. All of the sandwiches and soups on the menu can be purchased to go. You can also order a personalized picnic basket with a sandwich of your choice, potato chips, two cookies, and bottle of water for $9.95. Phone: 253-0077.