By John Hardaway

Taker of His Kids' Halloween Candy

Halloween candy is fantastic! 

For some reason, and for so many people, the love for Halloween candy is very strong. 

Why exactly are these “fun sized” portions so awesome?  

I believe the answer lies somewhere in the combination between quantity and variety, where someone can sample and indulge in all their favorites. Maybe because it only happens once a year in late October? 

As a child, Halloween meant trick-or-treating for hours, loading up a paper grocery sack full of Halloween candy, most of which was eaten before bedtime, and some of which ended up in the freezer for school lunches and daily snacking until all that would be left were Tootsie Rolls, Almond Joys, and Mounds because those three are not good. 

Sorry I’m not sorry if you like those!  

As a parent, Halloween is even better because you get all the Halloween candy without all the work of trick-or-treating. 

I have, unapologetically, trained my children that when there is a choice, we always choose chocolate! We have no desire for fruit-type candy in our house. 

For me personally, my favorite Halloween candy is Reese’s, any size or shape: Cups, minis, bars, pumpkins, pieces, etc.  

My runner-up is Kit Kat and then third place is basically anything chocolate besides the things mentioned above. 

There is a decent chance that I eat more of my children’s Halloween candy than they do and I’m already looking forward to it. I’m an expert as swiping Halloween candy from my children’s stash and the key is pulling from the bottom and only one at a time. 

If you are fortunate enough to find anyone handing out full size candy bars, that is like hitting the lottery! 

I also remember from my childhood some houses giving away homemade brownies, cookies, rice crispy treats, popcorn balls, or caramel apples (only fruit Halloween exception), but I haven’t seen these in years. Probably because everyone has gotten so sensitive, cautious, scared, or too busy to make them, but I sure remember them and they were awesome. 

I also remember a dentist giving out toothbrushes and floss for Halloween, which I get it, it’s cute and gets a giggle I guess, but as 9-year-old it did absolutely nothing for me or any other kid. 

Ok, so that’s enough for me, what’s your favorite Halloween candy? 

Vote below and let us know.

Also I wanted to include one of my favorite cold weather soup recipes thanks to Mr. Skordle himself, Adam Diesselhorst…Minestrone soup. 

I have been making it for years and its one of my absolute favorites! 

Trust me it’s fantastic and you should make a pot before heading out to trick-or-treat so it’s ready and happy when you get back.

Diesselhorst Minestrone Soup 

Ingredients and Directions: 

1 lb. Ground Pork

1 lb. Sage Sausage

1 onion diced 

1 can of chopped spinach

1 big can or container of chicken broth (or more or less if desired if you want it thinner or thicker)

6 cans of Campbell’s Minestrone Soup

1 bag of Cheese Tortellini 

1 bag of finely shredded cheese

1 bag of Fritos (or Saltines, Ritz, Club, Oyster crackers) 

1. In a pot brown ground pork and sausage together and drain
2. While draining meat, dice and sauté onions with olive oil in same pot and then return meat
3. Add spinach, broth (as desired) and Campbell’s Minestrone Soup and bring to boil 
4. Once pot is boiling, add tortellini and boil until tortellini is floating
5. Reduce heat to simmer and let it get happy for 30 min
6. Prepare a bowl and top with shredded cheese and Fritos and enjoy!