DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you please tell me the difference between different kinds of salt: iodized, sea and kosher? On some of the cooking shows on TV they use a lot of kosher salt. Thank you. — No Name, Jay

ANSWER: All salt has the same basic chemical makeup of about 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride and came from the sea originally, although there may not be an ocean present where it is currently mined. Salt deposits can be found in the Midwest, which was once covered by water.

The most commonly used salt, table salt, is highly refined, which removes many of the minerals. The addition of iodine began in 1924. Table salt is preferred for baking because its fine grains dissolve easily.

Kosher salt is extracted from a brine and is designed to accommodate Jewish rules for food. Orthodox cooking calls for removing the blood from meat before cooking, and kosher salt is used to make kosher meats. Kosher salt has a milder flavor and flakier texture than table salt and is often used for rimming margarita glasses and on pretzels.

Sea salt is evaporated from living oceans, is not highly refined, is very flavorful and comes in many varieties and colors in addition to the basic white, depending on the ocean from where it came. It tends to be more expensive than other salts.

Rock salt is unrefined and has a grayish hue. You may find your clams sitting on rock salt in a restaurant or in your homemade ice cream.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Your column is a bright spot in the morning paper. Thanks for the useful information I have learned and used. Recently, we had lunch at Willy Beans. Their butternut squash apple soup was ever so tasty and the best soup we have ever had. Do you think the owner/chef would share this recipe with your readers? Especially since we are in the season to use these products… God bless you! — Joan, Lewiston

ANSWER: William, the owner of Willy Beans, was very flattered that you are such a fan of his soup, but prefers not to share the recipe in hopes that you will come in to eat even more often!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have recently checked several different Hannaford stores and a Food City searching for One Pie canned pumpkin. All of the stores I have checked are out of stock. They are also out of the canned squash. With Thanksgiving approaching, I am a little concerned. Can you please find out what is going on? Are they out of stock for good? I am aware of the other brands, but I have used none other than One Pie for 20 years. Thanks for all your help. — No Name, Livermore Falls

ANSWER: Mark at Hannaford on Sabattus Street said that One Pie canned pumpkin is now back in stock after being unavailable over the summer, but he doesn’t have the squash yet. Sun Spots spoke with Jan at One Pie in West Paris, and she said that they had lacked adequate inventory for the entire year, but that you should be able to find it in stores now.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Ladies for God group at Grace Fellowship Church, Oxford, will be holding a craft fair to benefit the building fund on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oxford Grange Hall on Route 26. There will be a great variety of items, including handmade mittens, scarves, dishcloths, scrubbers, jewelry, baked goods, Avon, flameless candles, Rada cutlery, tote bags, kids grab bags, wood crafts, baked beans to go and other items. There will be someone there to give information on becoming foster and/or adoptive parents. Lunch will be available. There will also be raffles. Grace Fellowship Church is planning an expansion of its facilities, and this is the ladies group’s way of helping that project.— Jo, Auburn

DEAR SUN SPOTS: There will be a celebration for the 2009 Inductees into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame honoring John Shaw (former coach of Rumford Panthers), Tom Maines (former coach of Mexico Pintos) and Andy Bedard (former player at Mountain Valley High School). The celebration will take place at the Sons of Italy Hall in Rumford on Saturday starting at 5:30 pm (social hour). A catered meal provided by Maddy’s Pizza will follow. The cost of a ticket is $15, and the event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling Matt at 364-2306. — Matt Kaubris, Rumford 

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and
comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and
sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include
your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail,
and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as
quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400,
Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to
sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link