Canadian late harvest menu

November, it's the month buttressed between October's Thanksgiving celebrations and December's holiday extravagance; however, we think it's also the perfect time to throw a low-key Canadian harvest-inspired gathering to bring friends and family back to the table to feast on the rich tastes of late fall.

Main
Spatchcock roast chicken with grapes Roasting whole chickens over fresh sage leaves imparts a delicious amount of flavour and they are exquisitely adorned with sweet red grapes, making this the grand focal point of your dinner.

Starter
Squash soup with smoky bacon Warm, fragrant butternut squash soup is topped with thick slices of double smoked bacon, which adds a wonderful saltiness to this already hearty dish.

Side
Roasted beets and their greens Whole beets — greens and all — are used in this elegant side dish that's a simple yet vibrant accompaniment to the meal.

Dessert
Pumpkin cupcakes with maple and bacon icing For an enticing dessert tidbit try these cupcakes with puréed pumpkin, lots of spice, Canadian maple syrup, cream cheese frosting and our secret surprise addition, bacon!

Wine pairing
Lindeman's Bin 65 Chardonnay The fruit notes and hints of spice in the Bin 65, Chardonnay is a perfect complement to the sweet and savoury flavours in the chicken.