Today: Austin to Boston, and Boston to Austin.

I’ve only been to Texas once.  I flew in on a Tuesday, stayed in a creepy Marriott (I used to think a Marriott was a Marriott… and then I landed in one that shared a driveway with the Diamond Ladies “gentlemen’s club”), worked at a local middle school for a day, and flew out that Thursday.  The one time I ate out, there were shrimp hidden in my salad.  Having never eaten seafood before, I wondered if I might be allergic.  I didn’t want to die in a hotel overlooking Diamond Ladies.  That would just be too sad.  Needless to say, I didn’t get much in the way of local flavor while I was there.  So you’ll understand my delight when I opened a package from Kasee, my Austin to Boston match, to find some truly Texan treats.

From Austin to Boston

Strangely the chewy pecans Kasee sent did not survive long enough to be photographed (ahem, Nick).  He vouched for their deliciousness, though.  I am sure he’ll help me sample all the other goods, too.  We go through quite a bit of hot sauce and bbq sauce in this condohold.

Friday fun fact:  25 Massachusettses would fit inside Texas.

• How cute is this Texas cookie cutter?  The Alamo air freshener cracked me up.  I wonder if it smells historic.  I’ll report back.

• Edible Austin and black eyed peas – I’ll have to break these out on New Year’s Day.

• I haven’t been very adventurous lately, given all the food allergy testing and whatnot, but I cannot wait to crack open this jar of okra pickles.  I like it hot.  (Which is why I have perma-heartburn.  Don’t tell my RD.)  I know the bbq sauce will be put to good use as well.

• Peach jam and local honey, two breakfast favorites of mine

• And even more spicy sauces: roasted raspberry chipotle sauce, hatch chili salsa, and “that green sauce”  …my curiosity is peaked! You can count on seeing a whole lot of heat in upcoming posts thanks to Kasee’s generous package of treats.

…And Boston to Austin

I had just as much fun shopping for Kasee as I did enjoying the surprises she sent my way.  I searched high and low for Necco wafers, as we live just a few blocks from the old factory, but I couldn’t find a single roll.  I used to love those things.  Except for the brownish greyish ones.  I think we can agree that candy shouldn’t be brownish greyish.

Here is what I did find and send her way.  Besides that gourd-geous thing.

• Edible Boston and a copy of the Whole Foods Market Holiday magazine, which includes a little shout-out to On Tap for Today (blatant horn tooting, sorry)
• A swan boat ornament, featuring one of Clark’s favorite Boston scenes

• A few of my favorite local baked goods (which I no longer indulge in since forgoing gluten… it’s nice to have a reason to share!): Dancing Deer Baking Company maple leaf and gingerbread acorn cookies and Lark salted rosemary shortbread -both of these treats are made locally and taste divine.  They make great hostess gifts.  And regular gifts.  You know what I mean.

• Clover honey from McClure’s of New England – I love this in tea, over oats, or just plain ol’ on a spoon.
• Spicy apple ginger chews from the Ginger People – A favorite sweet snack, perfect for travel
• Stonewall Kitchen maple pumpkin butter – made in Maine, not Massachusetts, but New England flavors nevertheless.  I felt it was okay to bend the rules a bit, seeing as Maine is my true north.  Literally and figuratively.

Also On Tap for Today:

• Getting “Sunday things” out of the way two days early
• Obsessively checking the weather
• Wishing Theodora lots of luck this weekend

What is your favorite local food find?