South Carolina Living Magazine

Makes about 8 cups, or 5 bowls Soup 1 butternut squash (about 3–4 pounds) Extra virgin olive oil ½ large onion, peeled and sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups chicken broth, more if needed ½ teaspoon cardamom 2 tablespoons Madeira wine, or sherry (optional) Kosher salt Fresh ground black pepper Crostini 1 baguette Extra virgin olive oil Granulated garlic Minced parsley Scallops 8 sea scallops Fresh ground black pepper Preheat oven to 350 F.

Makes 8 scones 2 cups all-purpose flour ⅓ cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cardamom ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes and chilled 2 tablespoons crystallized ginger, finely chopped ⅓ cup currants or raisins ¼ cup pecans, chopped ½ cup pumpkin purée, bought or homemade (see Chef's Tip) ⅓ cup buttermilk, more if needed 1 teaspoon vanilla ¼ cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon sugar Preheat oven to 400 F and place...

Alena Goveas has a lot on her plate. The senior at River Bluff High School in Lexington excels academically, helps with the school's social media and has a long list of other extracurricular activities that keep her busy. Still, Goveas understands the importance of recreation at every stage of life.

Serves 4–6 3–4 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil 1 medium sweet onion (Vidalia), cut in half and sliced into half-rounds 2 cloves garlic, minced 3–4 medium yellow summer squash, sliced in ¼-inch rounds 3–4 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch rounds 1 28-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, with juice 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper Pinch red pepper flakes 3 tablespoons fresh chopped basil, divided In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.

Serves 4 1 small sugar or pie pumpkin (about 2–3 pounds) 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper ½ teaspoon smoked paprika Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a vegetable peeler to remove pumpkin skin, then cut pumpkin in half and scoop out seeds and pulp.

"Meet your momma at the Rocket" is as ubiquitous a phrase in South Carolina as "Go 'Cocks" or "Dang, it's hot." When the South Carolina State Fair opens this month in Columbia for its annual 10-day run, the Rocket will once again become a rallying point for family and friends from across the state. But the Rocket has a darker side. It's actually a nuclear missile.

Pumpkins, zucchini and squash—oh my! We pass them every time we visit the produce section, often with little notice. But these versatile veggies are dense with antioxidants and packed with health benefits. It's time for a closer look at squash.

"Grandma, it's this way!" Eight-year-old Reagan and her 6-year-old brother, Jackson, holler that phrase more than a few times as they navigate the labyrinth that is the West Farm Corn Maze. They're leading their grandmother, Belinda Sandlin, a Berkeley Electric Cooperative member, through rows of corn, often scattering in opposite directions as they try to escape the stalks. Reagan and Jackson aren't maze rookies. This is their third one.

One of the biggest energy wasters in your home might be out of sight: your ducts. Around 20% to 30% of the air you pay to heat or cool is lost through leaks, holes or poorly installed ductwork in the average home, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That's energy—and money—slipping right through the cracks, regardless of how stingy you are with the thermostat setting. Properly sealing ducts can reduce wasted energy and help with indoor air quality.

Nikolai Goudkov Age: 72. Resides in: West Union. Claim to fame: Luthier and guitar restorer. Bear necessities: When a musician from a North Carolina band called Bearfoot asked Goudkov to build him a custom guitar in the shape of a bear's paw, Goudkov asked only for a hand-drawn sketch. "If you send me a sketch," he says, "even drawn by your own hand, pencil, whatever—we can work with that." Price range: Goudkov's custom guitars run $250–$450.