Tis the Season for NJ Foodie Gifts

If you’re looking to shop local for your favorite Garden State foodie, you’ve come to the right place. Feast your eyes on these fun, delicious, and oh-so-Jersey gift recommendations from the Jersey Bites team. But wait…there’s more! On Monday, come on back to enter our Cyber Monday giveaway, and you could be the lucky recipient of a basket featuring a selection of the items mentioned here!

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New Jersey Fresh: Four Seasons from Farm to Table
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by Rachel Weston
Written by Jersey Bites contributor Rachel Weston, this 2015 book offers a collection of recipe ideas and tips for over 50 types of locally grown produce available at farmers markets in the Garden State. A must-have guide for your farmers market adventures.

Jim’s Jarhead Jerky
A few years back, when his son was deployed with the Marine Corps to the Middle East, Jim Ewen would send care packages of the beef jerky he whipped up in his home kitchen in Medford. It was such a big hit with the soldiers, Ewen decided to expand his capability to provide the tasty treat to other troops, and to jerky lovers stateside as well. Jim’s Jarhead Jerky, a veteran-owned business, was born. “We  were recently named the 2015 Artisan Jerky of the Year by TasteTV,” Ewen told Jersey Bites contributor Kerry Brown.“Our homemade-style product is a true product of the USA, now available from coast to coast.”

Luxx Chocolat
Jersey Bites contributor Tracy Nieradka recommends Luxx Chocolat (named one of 2015’s Best Chocolatiers & Confectioners in America by The International Chocolate Salon and Taste TV). Master Chocolatier and Chef Lisa Mecray Rogers founded Luxx Chocolat to give us more than a luxury artisan chocolate experience. Her unique creations are works of art that will delight all of your senses. Visit http://luxxchocolat.com for more information about where to buy locally and to order online.

Pork+Roll+Tote+1Pork Roll Egg and Cheese Tote from Yardsale Press Yardsale Press is run by a New Jersey resident who makes and sells prints (many of them food-related), pins, shirts, and tote bags. Jersey Bites contributor Kerri Sullivan notes that this one is the perfect gift for the person in your life who takes the pork roll-versus-Taylor-ham debate seriously.

The Hangover Pretzel Company
When John and Lois LeVicchi served party guests their Zesty Lemon Pepper pretzels, their friends in Freehold just couldn’t get enough. No wonder… Bon Appetit called them “absolutely addictive” and “blissfully crunchy.” The Hangover Pretzel Company now offers four varieties of gourmet pretzels: their signature Zesty Lemon Pepper, Hot Caysabi (not for the faint of heart!), Brown Sugar Cinnamon (with a pinch of sea salt) and sweet and spicy Sweet Heat. The tasty pretzels are sold online and in over 30 gourmet shops and liquor stores in New Jersey and New York. A variety of holiday-themed tins are available. —Mary Wozniak, contributor

Sharrott Winery’s Wicked
Sharrott’s Port-style wine is sweet with flavors of cherry and dark chocolate. The perfect after-dinner sipper with a decadant chocolate dessert! Winner of the Governor’s Cup for Best Dessert Wine at the 2015 NJ Wine Competition. And contributor Jennifer Malme let us know that it’s wicked good!

European-Style Hot Chocolate from The Bent Spoon in Princeton
Princeton’s acclaimed artisanal ice cream shop also serves some of the best European-style hot chocolate this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks to their mixes, your favorite foodies can enjoy the Bent Spoon experience at home! The “original” mix combines 61% chocolate and NJ-milled corn flour for a thick, creamy, ultra-luxe treat to warm the coldest winter days. For a spicy twist on the classic, try the habanero blend, with 72% dark chocolate, two types of cinnamon, and heirloom pepper powder. And don’t forget the “marshies!” Add a bag of The Bent Spoon’s NJ honey and Madagascar vanilla marshmallows for a decadent gift no hot chocolate-loving foodie could resist. Mixes and marshmallows are available to pick up at The Bent Spoon’s charming storefront at 35 Palmer Square in Princeton, or can be ordered online. —Amanda Biddle, contributor

AHeirloom-New-Jersey-State-Shaped-Cutting-Board_3f2f78dd-bfab-4759-8d36-ee87ab6f747a_largeNJ-Shaped Cutting Board
OK, so this one isn’t made in NJ, but come on now, it totally qualifies! (It’s made in Brooklyn.)

The Bacon Jams
Cyber Monday deals on the 3 pack for $35 (normally $45) and a new item: The Bacon Emergency Kit, which contains Bacon Jam, Bacon Caramel Popcorn, Bacon Infused Himalayan Sea Salt, and Maple Bacon Sugar Rub for $30 (delivered retail value $40).

Toast the Season
When a bottle of wine isn’t enough, dress it up with a festive wrap from Toast the Season. Shipping is free. Find them on Facebook.

Olive That and More
Olive oil galore! Check out the selections online or at the shop’s Montclair digs.

Cape May Peanut Butter Company
From peanut butter cup cocoa, to peanut butter nonpareils, to peanut butter dog treats, this place has it all when it comes to the more awesome half of PB&J (sorry, jelly). Check out their store here.

Jersey Barnfire Hot Sauces
They’re all about Jersey! Using as much locally sourced produce as possible, Jersey Barnfire Hot Sauces maintain and preserve the integrity of your food’s flavor,
 while enhancing the entire meal.

Passion for Spices
May Fridel, founder and chief executive officer of Passion for Spices, is on a mission to help America enjoy truly organic food, prepared with genuine, wholesome, chemical-free ingredients. Fridel’s spices are ideal for cooks who are not used to working with spices on a regular basis.

Blazing Star Artisanal Salad Dressing
You don’t get any more New Jersey than Blazing Star. The company is currently producing dressings at the Rutgers Food Innovation Center North in Piscataway. The dressings are available in 14 locations including the Pennington Market and Bishops in Whitehouse Station.

Beauty-3Petite Maize is an heirloom popping corn which has been perfected by family farmers for over six generations.  Unlike other popcorn on the market, Petite Maize farmers rely on wind and nature to pollinate their corn. The result is a thin, alabaster seed which pops into small, white, crunchy popcorn that tastes awesome and doesn’t get caught in your teeth! Try it with one of 5 custom spice blends.