Why not stuff a Christmas stocking with some delicious, locally made treats? Give a box of artisanal Poorboy Candy caramels by Michael LaPoint and Kevin Halgrimson, made in Stillwater and available for purchase at the Linden Hills Winter Market. Don’t forget to include Sweet Jules caramels from sisters Jule Vranian and Hope Klocker, made in their brand new brick-and-mortar store in Minnetonka. While you’re there, visit the new Heritage Breads Minnetonka location for a loaf of one of Jonathan Kaye’s famous breads such as the Chocolate & Fruit or Parmesan Asiago. For chocolate lovers, put together a s’mores or hot cocoa kit and include North Mallows, homemade marshmallows made by Mike Nelson—they come in vanilla bean, chocolate chip, caramel, and mocha flavors. To give a more health-conscious gift, a bag of E&C‘s Hunkola (hunks of cookies and granola) by Ellen Redmond and Casey Webber is both scrumptious and non-gmo, gluten free, and vegan. Finally, for the home cook, give Beatrice Ojakangas’ new book Homemade. Our own national treasure from Duluth has written her life story along with recipes such as almond cardamom scones.
Sue Zelickson is the founder and director of Women Who Really Cook and Perspectives Family Center’s Kid Cafe. She is also co-founder of the Charlie Awards and former host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought.
Illustration by James Kloiber
