Looking for unique holiday gift ideas for friends and family? You might not need to look any further than your pantry to make gifts from your kitchen! Right now, farmers’ markets are brimming with seasonal goodies like dried fruits and nuts—perfect for creating delectable homemade treats. Late fall fruits like apples and persimmons are ideal for whipping up fruit butters or chutneys that are as delicious as they are thoughtful. With a little creativity and some elegant packaging, these homemade delights become gifts to remember.
Here are a few of our favorite recipes to inspire your holiday gift-giving!
NUTS
Make three or four batches of roasted savory, sweet, and spicy nuts. Use small matching jars or cellophane bags for packaging and add a gift tag. Assemble an assortment for a great snack gift! Here are a few suggestions:
Toffee Walnuts
Sweet and Spicy Roasted Almonds
Chipotle Roasted Almonds
Honey Orange Glazed Almonds
Moroccan Almonds With Golden Raisins
Honey Crystal Almonds
Spicy Maple Glazed Mixed Nuts
Spicy Glazed Pecans
For the special foodies in your life, here are some vegetarian appetizers made with nuts that make great gifts when packed into small crocks or terrines and presented with a box of artisan crackers:
Almond Pâté
Edamame Walnut Dip
Walnut Duxelle Pâté
For those with a sweet tooth, here are some classic confections with nuts:
Almond Butter Crunch
Vanilla Almond Caramels with Fleur de Sel
Caramel Almond Popcorn Clusters
Cherry Almond Fudge
Apricot Walnut Divinity
SOURCES: Walnuts are available at Minazzoli Farms, Manzanita Manor Walnuts, and Phil Foster Ranch (Pinnacle); almonds are available at Stackhouse Orchards and Minazzoli Farm; pistachios and pecans are available at CE Farm.
DRIED FRUIT
Cookies, energy bars, and confections make delightful and easy holiday gifts! To add a personal touch, include a set of festive cookie cutters and print a few of your favorite cookie recipes on cheerful holiday-themed paper. You can package the treats in a clear jar canister for a polished look or arrange them in a charming basket, wrapped in cellophane for a festive finish. Quick breads, packed with nuts and dried fruits, are also fantastic gift options—and they’re perfect to have on hand for those impromptu holiday visits with friends. Spread the sweetness this season!
Coconut Cherry Chews
Festive Fruit and Pistachio Snowballs
Cranberry Walnut Biscotti
Fresh Orange Cookies
Apricot Walnut Divinity
Dried Cherry Truffles
Fruit Nut and Seed Bars
Fruit-Nut Energy Bars
Apricot Pumpkin Bread
Apricot Crumb Bars
SOURCES: Dried fruit can be found at Pulido Farms, Schletewitz Farm, Flying Disc Ranch, and Minazzoli Farms.
CONDIMENTS, CHUTNEYS, FRUIT BUTTER, PRESERVES, AND SAUCES
Late fall is the perfect time for canning, turning your kitchen into a warm, inviting haven during cool, rainy days. If you tucked away some of summer’s berry bounty in the freezer, now’s the time to turn them into jam, taking full advantage of the cooler weather. But don’t worry if you didn’t — late fall and early winter fruits make incredible preserves too! One of our favorites? Slow-cooked fruit butter made with apples or pears. It’s as simple as tossing fruit into a crockpot and letting it work its magic overnight. Cozy, easy, and delicious!
Hot Honey
Crock Pot Apple Butter
Apple Butter
Apricot Almond Chutney
Spicy Persimmon Butter
Carrot Chutney
Cranberry Chutney
Farmhouse Apple Chutney
Quince Chutney
Meyer Lemon Marmalade
Pear Ginger Jam
Three-Berry Jam
Balsamic Vinegar, Vanilla, Port Wine Finishing Sauce
Ginger Persimmon Sauce
Fresh Fig Chutney
Feijoa Chutney
QUICKLES
Love these quick pickles! Our market chef, Andrew Cohen, is a huge fan and has created some delicious versions of these easy-to-make pickles.
Quick Pickled Carrots Scented with Lavender and Fennel
Quick Pickled Fennel
Easy Pickled Beets
SPICE BLENDS
Spices do not grow locally — most spices grow in subtropic to tropical regions, like chocolate and coffee. Spices can be purchased in bulk from a number of local sources, including Whole Foods, New Leaf Market, and The Herb Room. However, we do have an abundance of Mediterranean herbs that grow beautifully in our area and many of our farmers offer herbs almost year-round, either cut or available as plants to grow in your own garden. Making your own fresh spice and herbal blends gives you an opportunity to use your spice alchemy and create signature blends.
Here are a few of our favorite spice and herb blend formulations.
Pack your spice blends into metal tins or small jars with tight-fitting lids which can be found at our local Mountain Feed and Farm Supply in Ben Lomond or online at Specialty Bottle.
DOG TREATS FOR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS
Whether it’s your friend with the pampered pooch dressed in the latest cheetah print coat (and comfortably tucked into an oversized purse) or a friend with a happy-go-lucky Bob-Dog that likes to play frisbee and chase balls at the beach, you know they’ll appreciate healthy homemade dog treats.
Most of all, have fun in your kitchen — invite a friend over and cook together, or enlist your kids to help chop and mix. They will love being a part of the holiday preparations!
