With tan, green, and yellow skin that yields to bright orange insides, winter squash provide a cold-weather splash of color at farmers' market. Though they're closely related to melons and (of course) summer squash, winter squash have unique characteristics -- their tough skin, delicious seeds, and sweet flesh make them kitchen staples from the beginning of autumn until spring.

The holiday season's lovable anytime cake -- breakfast, snack, and show-stopping dessert all in one.

This week, a Merrill-ific dinner, because who doesn't love that?

You'll be hearing from the staff at FOOD52 every week in Too Many Cooks, our group column in which we pool our answers to questions about food, cooking, life, and more.

There's no getting around it -- everyone's mind is on Thanksgiving. As the big day grows nearer, our plans fall into place: we decide which sides should grace the table, which way is best to cook the bird, what to serve before the meal. And then there's always the pumpkin pie. 

But what if this year, there wasn't? 

5 ingredients, 10 minutes, nothing but class -- a DIY cranberry jelly for anyone who loves the stuff in the can (and even the ones who don't).

Jenny loves salad, but not necessarily virtue.

Your ultimate winter wonderland concessions!