Cows on the Common

The Boston Common, one of the oldest public parks in the country, was owned originally by William Blackstone and used primarily as a pasture. Upon becoming a public park, it became illegal to graze cows on the Common. Today, the Common is the heart of Boston. In the winter there is skating on Frog Pond; and in the warmer months, visitors and residents alike are seen performing Tai Chi or walking their pets. The Common hosts many parties throughout the year, from First Night in January to the annual lighting of the Christmas trees. The first football game in America was played on the Boston Common around 1860.

I remember as a teenager walking through the Common, which was resplendent with the symbols of Christmas – from Yule logs to reindeer.

Famous Firsts

So many firsts happened, and continue to happen, in Massachusetts. It only seems appropriate that they all began with the first Thanksgiving in 1621.
Academically, the firsts include:

• Harvard University, first American university (1636)
• Boston Latin School, first American public school (1635)

Other firsts in America include:

• Boston Commons, first public park (1634)
• Boston Public Library, first public library (1653)
• Arsenal at Springfield, first federal armory (1777
• Boston News-Letter, first regularly issued newspaper (1704)
• Mount Auburn Cemetery in Watertown and Cambridge, first landscaped cemetery (1831)

Turkey and Cranberry Panini

Ingredients:

4 thick slices of Italian bread
2 tablespoons whole-berry cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 chipotle chile canned in adobo* sauce, finely chopped
1 cup packed fresh baby spinach leaves
2 slices red onion
8 ounces sliced turkey
2 slices Monterey Jack
3 tablespoons butter or olive oil

Directions:

1. Stir cranberry sauce, mayonnaise and chipotle in small bowl until well mixed.
2. For each sandwich, spread one side of each slice of bread with cranberry mayonnaise mixture. Place half of the spinach, an onion slice, 4 ounces of turkey and a slice of cheese on bottom half of roll. Place top of roll on sandwich and flatten. Brush both sides of sandwiches with olive oil or butter.
3. Heat sandwiches in panini press according to manufacturer’s directions, or heat in a large skillet over medium heat just as you would cook a grilled cheese sandwich. To simulate the panini press, place a heavy pan or skillet on top of the sandwich as it browns in the pan and cook for 10
minutes, turning once or until sandwich is toasted and hot throughout.

Yields: 2 sandwiches

Cook Note: Found in the Mexican section of large grocery stores or in specialty Mexican supermarkets.