What to bring to family potlucks.

I come from a small, private teeny little family.  We had small family holiday parties when I was young,  mostly the big jesus ones (christmas, easter) and thanksgiving was always here or there.  When my grandparents passed, as did our gatherings.  Now we still get together (if i don't cook we go out) for the same holidays, but the group is smaller and just my immediates.
My husband's family is enormous and very celebratory, which is great.  Not only did i marry a bevy of new people to celebrate with, but a brand new set of holidays to gather on!  They're jewish and rosh hashanah is the first day of their new year.  As you can imagine from the time of year, the foods celebrated on this holiday are apples, pomegranates, honey and always a delicious challah.  For big gatherings, i like to bring something economical that can also be served room temperature, since we have to drive quite a ways to the seder.

This year i made up a quick grain salad with roasted fall veg &for dessert a TON of baklava.  I'll split the recipes in two entries.

Autumnal Grain Salad (for a crowd, you may wanna half this)

2 cups farro
2 medium turnips, peeled cut into 1" chunks
4 parsnips, "  "
5 large carrots, "  "
1 cup (about 1/2) butternut squash, "  "
4 shallots, halved and quartered
bunch of thyme sprigs
2 tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary
olive oil
fresh pepper + salt
pomegranate seeds

1. Combine 2 quarts water, good amount of salt and farro in pot, bring to boil and reduce to medium for about 30 minutes, until tender yet chewy.  Drain well, spread on sheet pan to cool.

2. Meanwhile, coat all your veg with olive oil and salt, divide herbs evenly between baking sheets and roast in 400 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes, stirring once until fragrant and golden.  Pluck out the woody herb stems, let cool.

3. Combine farro and veggies in large bowl, adjust salt and add in lots of fresh pepper.  Add in about 2-3 more tablespoons of good extra virgin olive oil, squeeze the pomegranate on top and garnish with a couple more herbs.