The Portland Phoenix tries to decode culinary secret behind the bollos de yuca from La Bodega Latina.

Now that I know this thing is basically a meat-filled doughnut, I get why that Saturday my five-year-old daughter gobbled up nearly the whole thing before I intercepted the last bite. The crispy, golden outside gives way to a soft, steamy layer of deliciousness (a little bit more chewy than fried potato) and inside, magically seasoned ground beef.

The article’s author, Lindsay Sterling, has launched her own blog, Inside Immigrant Kitchens, where you can find some additional photos and a recipe for bollos de yuca.

Lindsay Sterling challenges us all to be more outgoing/adventurous in our eating this year, in her column in this week’s Portland Phoenix.

“In a nutshell: the world is already coming to us, so let’s just pay closer attention! People are smuggling Venezuelan cheese to Portland Jetport in their suitcases! In a yellow corner store across from Maine Med, mashed yuca is being turned into fried magic that even picky American five-year-olds gobble up like hot dogs. A dental hygienist in South Portland is making Croatian cookies for a church function this month. World food is upon us right here, people!”

Also in this week’s Phoenix is a list of “budget-friendly activities and events” including a list of local low cost eateries and bars.

America’s Kitchens by Nancy Carlisle and Melinda Talbot Nasardinov was reviewed in today’s paper. The book tells the story of “this pivotal room from the earliest New England hearths to the latest forms of culinary theater.”

The Maine Switch has shared some holiday recipes sent in from their readers. The range from brownies to something called Little Green Goat Cheese Ball Surprise.

Chow Maine has a report on the beef sold locally by Wolfe Neck Farm. “What is Wolfe’s Neck beef? It isn’t organic beef raised on a gorgeous farm on the coast of Maine in Freeport.”

Also in today’s paper was an article about a website, www.lobstercelebrations.com, which encourages people to swap their Thanksgiving turkey for lobster this year or at least incorporate it into their menu.

In today’s Press Herald there’s an article about a new lobster cookbook titled Lobsters on the Fly. Proceeds from the sale will go to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association to help Maine fishing families in need.

Mainers are “gobbling lobsters to keep industry afloat” according to an article in today’s Press Herald.

The latest issue of the The Maine Switch has articles on cooking Thanksgiving turkeys, how to continue to eat local even after the Farmers’ Markets close down for the season, high food prices, and more.

Pumpkin season is here. The Portland Phoenix had an article this week on cooking pumpkin and the Maine Sunday Telegram published an article on carving pumpkins.

The Summer growing season is over but that doesn’t mean the end to locally grown produce. Portland Psst! has published a list of options for Winter CSAs.

Local Foodie writes about her experience stocking for the Winter. She’ll soon be curing her own ham and bacon and has offered to share her knowledge with those interested.

South Portland photographer Stacey Cramp has published a 2009 calendar called Savoring Maine. Each month features one of Cramps beautiful photos and a recipe from a Maine “food expert”. Jay Villani from Local 188 provided the parsnip and leek tortilla recipe for March and Abby Harmon from Caiola’s contributed the apple salad recipe for the month of October. The calendar on sale at Rabelais Books on Middle Street.

There’s a good article in the Food section of today’s Press Herald about the growing recognition of artisanal cheese making in Maine. This Sunday the Maine Cheese Guild is holding the 2nd annual Open Creamery Day – a chance to visit local cheese makers and see them in operation.

The October issue of The Bollard has hit newsstands. This month’s edition includes a review of the Sunday brunch at Caiola’s, articles about the advantages of home canning and about cooking fresh caught fish, and a new installment in The Land of the Forgotten Cocktail series by award-winning bartender John Myers. Copies can be found just about anywhere free newspapers are distributed.