These gifts are hot for the holiday season. I don’t know about you, but I find shopping for gifts challenging. Does anyone need another trinket, another scented chocolate covered strawberries near me, another bottle of cologne, another useless gadget? The following are food gifts made in New Jersey — or sold in local stores — that should delight just about anyone on your list this year.
They needn’t be gourmets or food connoisseurs — just lovers of food. Here’s to easy and delicious gift shopping. Her glamberries — “glam” because the chocolate-covered strawberries the Secaucus resident makes sport colorful sprinkles and edible glitter — are offered year-round. For Christmas, the strawberries display the holiday colors of green, white and red.
A new study shows that making a mess of wrapping paper and tape may actually make people happier. In addition to a wide selection of artisan cheese, the shop has an assortment of home goods, preserves, crackers and more. You can put a little of everything together in a gift basket of your choosing or let a cheesemonger know your budget and what your friend or loved one likes. You’ll have a “personal shopper” of sorts work with you to choose the just-right items. We can also suggest pairings, like the best cracker to go with a certain cheese, or the right pickled onions or preserves,” Chastain said. This shopping can’t be done online, which may be a good thing: It’s an opportunity to pick up some nice cheese for yourself. She’s been making jams for eight years and flavors depend on the season.
For the cold months, she offers winter berry jam made with organic local cranberries plus organic blueberries, raspberries and blackberries blended with chopped clementines, and warming spices such as star anise and cardamon. You won’t find that at your local supermarket. This fall she introduced a balsamic fig jam that features high-quality vinegar and organic figs. It’s a great cheese jam but also great for sandwiches — turkey sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, any of your favorite sandwiches,” she said. Grocery in Montclair, General Store Cooperative in Maplewood, and Dry Goods Refillery in Montclair. Why is goat in the name of their shop? It turned out to be a fun name,” Jennifer said.
As the shop declares, “A goat lover’s dream! The pies are frozen and shipped throughout the country. Flavors include spinach and cheese, potato and onion, and mushroom and goat cheese. 10 of each sold will be donated to Rethink Food, a nonprofit that provides food to food-insecure people. It is an untapped neighborhood,” said owner Alessia Aron, who wears the lighthearted title of chief eating officer.