Winter 2017-18 Checklist
Our twofer this season: find a meaningful holiday gift and support your local business owners. This list of recommendations comes complete with beverages to keep your spirits up while you shop.
Peskir at Cuttalossa
Cuttalossa owner Shannon Retseck sources peskirs—durable, absorbent towels—from a collective of nine handweavers in Turkey, where workers have struggled to retain jobs amid the globalization of the textile market. These peskirs are perfect for everyday use in the kitchen or as decorative table runners. Cuttalossa, 47 N. 2nd St., 609.203.9367, cuttalossa.us
Caraflex Cabbage
You may have noticed cone-shaped green cabbages popping up at farmers’ markets this year. The caraflex variety, popular in Europe, is being grown more widely by local farmers. Its crisp, sweet leaves make an extra-crunchy kraut—a nice counterpart to those heavy holiday meals. Make a big batch and spread the lively cheer. Find it at the stands of Rambling Roots and Taproot Farms through November.
Shane Confectionary Chocolate
As with many products on the shelves at this old-timey candy shop, the Ben Jackson bar comes with a nugget of history: in the mid-18th century, Benjamin Jackson operated William Penn’s Governor’s Mill to grind cacao and make chocolate. Today, Shane Confectionary uses similar methods to grind nibs for a coarse bar full of roasted flavor: Shane Confectionary, 110 Market St., 215.922.1048, shanescandies.com
Vintage Cookbooks
Little-known secret: Molly's Books and Records has the most extensive and eccentric collection of cookbooks in the city. The owner scouts estate sales to find gems like A Manual for Ice Cream Makers (published In 1927) and The Art or Cookery (published in 1755), Scan the spines to find classics by James Beard, Alice Waters and Julia Child, Rifle through cruise-ship menus from the '50s and marvel over a collection of vintage roiling pins-you're sure to find a perfect holiday gift. Molly's Books & Records, 1010 S, 9th St., 215.923.3367. mollysbooksandrecords.com
Grapefruit Sage Espresso Tonic
A new(ish) trend in coffee drinks: espresso poured over ice with an infused simple syrup, topped with tonic water and a shmancy garnish. Get the wake-up mocktail at Herman’s, the garage turned coffee shop that opened in Pennsport this summer: Their flavors—like bitter orange and phở—rotate frequently, but we love this herbaceous, citrusy mainstay. Herman’s Coffee, 1313 S. 3rd St., hermanscoffee.com
Troegenator Double Bock
Though you can find it on shelves year-round, this malty German-style lager is particularly well suited for a chilly winter evening. The Troegenator is also one of our favorite beers to pour over vanilla ice cream for an extra-cheery—85% ABV—float.
Find it at local beer sellers like Bella Vista Beer Distributors and MOM’s Organic Market. Tröegs Independent Brewing, 200 E. Hershey Park Drive, Hershey, PA, 717.534.1344, troegs.com
