Appalachian food is part of Southern cuisine and includes very recognizable fare such as buttermilk biscuits and cornbread. However, Appalachian recipes such as stuffed possum, ramps and funeral home salad are decidedly unique to the region. Give the gift of Appalachian food to a Southern foodie or an Appalachian relative longing for the mountains.
Appalachian Cook Book
For the cook or Southern food aficionado, an will offer enough recipes and ideas to cook multiple Appalachian-style meals. Many Appalachian cookbooks come with recipes for standard Southern fare, such as fried catfish, buttermilk biscuits, chicken and dumplings, grits and apple butter. Many of these books also come with more Appalachian-specific recipes such as cooked squirrel, stuffed possum, black walnut cookies and funeral home salad. Some Appalachian cookbook titles to check out include "Appalachian Home Cooking," "More than Moonshine," and "Smoke in the Mountains Cookbook."
Appalachian Gift Baskets
Put together a gift basket of Appalachian foods or purchase one from an Appalachian food supplier, such as Appalachian Harvest General Store or the Appalachian Spring Cooperative. Many Appalachian gift baskets include long-lasting food items such as blackberry preserves, pumpkin butter, apple jam, Tennessee barbecue sauce and bread-and-butter pickles. You can include other Appalachian foods in a gift basket such as chow chow relish, maple leaf candy, olives stuffed with garlic and trail mix.
Appalachian Dessert
Become a favorite neighbor when you bring over a sweet Appalachian dessert. These embody Southern comfort with rich sauces, thick fillings, glazed nuts and baked apples. A simple Appalachian favorite is a baked homemade pie or cobbler with apple, blackberry, sweet potato or peach filling topped with whipped cream and nutmeg and then served with a side of vanilla ice cream. Other options include bread pudding, bourbon balls made from chocolate and pecans and peanut butter fudge. One of the most famous Appalachian desserts is the dried apple stacked cake, made from six layers of dried apples flavored with sugar and nutmeg and a sugar glaze. The dried apple stacked cake can be served with sorghum or whipped cream.
Sweet tea or milk can also accompany any Appalachian dessert gift.
Appalachian State University Food Gift Cards
If you know a student who goes to Appalachian State University, think about giving them the gift of a warm meal. Though you may not be able to ship them a breakfast of butter biscuits and grits every morning, you can purchase a food gift card at the in Trivett Hall, or by calling the university at 828-262-6141. The gift card can be used to purchase meals at several locations on campus, and can be reloaded with more funds at any time.
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