Last Sunday, I was visiting our favorite botanical gardens with my family. We enjoy getting out on a fall Sunday to walk around and enjoy both the displays of fall and the fun activities that are available.
We had just finished visiting one of the very large tree houses (made of reclaimed wood and complete with leaded glass) and we heading toward the giant pumpkin carving demonstration when we came around a corner. Right there was the biggest cornucopia I had ever seen! it was large enough to fit a grown person standing up at the wide end, and it was pouring forth all sorts of large pumpkins and gourds.
“It’s a big horn,” my three-year-old said, and he was right. Cornucopia means horn of plenty. Overflowing with an abundance of bounty, it signifies the wealth and the abundance of the fall harvest.
Making a cornucopia for your fall table is easy and quick to do. You can purchase pre-made horns, and this is the easiest way to begin. If you cannot find a cornucopia basket, and cone shaped basket will do. If it is made of natural materials, you can steam the narrow end of the basket and then bend it into shape.
Next you will need the items to line and stuff the cornucopia. You’ll need a filler to stuff most of the horn. This will give you extra fullness, and support the other items so they display nicely. I like to commandeer some straw from one of our straw bales, but you can also use raffia, spanish moss or other filler.
At this point, place the cornucopia on a decorative tray or platter. You can decorate this tray with fall leaves or more straw.
Next, fill your cornucopia with the vegetables from the season. Miniature pumpkins, gourds, harvest (or Indian) corn, apples, pomegranates and whatever else signifies fall to you. Start with the largest pieces and work to the smaller pieces.
It is important to overstuff the cornucopia so the vegetables and fruits spill out of the horn an on to the tray. Add some smaller nuts and berries to add color and more abundance. Cranberries and walnuts in their shells are great items to use.
Enjoy!
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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