We ran this article one year ago today (December 23, 2009), but since that date, thanks to all of you, we now have over 1,000 more followers on Twitter, and tens of thousands of new visitors who have come to Local In Season.  We thought this post was worth dusting off for our new readers, both because we like it, but also because it gives us the opportunity to say THANK YOU for making this last year a terrific one for us at Local In Season.

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house... were the sounds of "A Christmas Story" playing on the television. Each year there's a cable channel that delivers 24 hours of Ralphie and his quest for the Red Rider BB gun. At this point I have seen the movie, or at least healthy snippets of it, hundreds of times. After so many viewings you tend to notice many subtle things. One of them is the "in joke" that, other than Christmas Day, the family eats the same dinner each time we see them at the table. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and red cabbage.

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house... were the sounds of "A Christmas Story" playing on the television. Each year there's a cable channel that delivers 24 hours of Ralphie and his quest for the Red Rider BB gun. At this point I have seen the movie, or at least healthy snippets of it, hundreds of times. After so many viewings you tend to notice many subtle things. One of them is the "in joke" that, other than Christmas Day, the family eats the same dinner each time we see them at the table. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and red cabbage.

The movie is set in Hammond, Indiana sometime in the late 1930's or early 1940's. Given the time and place it's not far off that they might be eating that for dinner many nights during a winter stretch. Meatloaf is American comfort food and even more so, a Midwestern comfort food. The first residents of Hammond were German farmers newly arrived from Europe. These European immigrants brought their culinary traditions with them. Meatloaf is similar to a traditional German, Belgian and Dutch dish; Falscher Hase or "Mock hare" in German. Not only that, but during the Great Depression, cooking meatloaf was a way to stretch the food budget for families so it makes sense that the Parker family would have it often given the backdrop of a post-Depression /pre-WWII Indiana.

In our December E-Newsletter, we listed some of our favorite "Winter Warmer" flavors and ingredients.  We also pointed to braises, stews, and soups as staple dishes for the season.  

Now Local In Season would like to know what your signature winter dish is! Submit your recipes/photos online, and the Local In Season team will select 5 finalists from all of the entries for an online fan vote!

The winner of this recipe contest will have their recipe featured on Local In Season in addition to winning $50 to the local restaurant of his/her choice!