Slide open the sunroof and crank up the heat. It’s October in Minnesota. Whether that means tailgating, stirring up a cozy meal, baking bread, or dipping caramel apples, our local grocers have plenty of fun fall foods to fill your basket.
Whole Foods Market
Elevate your tailgate with a curious and abundant selection of cheeses. The sassy and peculiar-looking Emmi is flecked with whole grain mustard seeds and is complemented by roasty stout. Although slightly stinky, the earthy note of cave-aged gruyere washes down well with a buoyant saison.
Step up your groggy weekend rise and shine routine. Serve French toast made with pumpkin bread showered with warm organic 365 Everyday Value maple syrup.
And no one is immune from the alluring charm of Honeycrisp apples stabbed with a stick and drenched in caramel. Grab a tub of melted caramel from the bakery. Dip in pepitas and chocolate chips.
Whole Foods sells pumpkin pie, but they also know people like the aroma of pumpkin wafting from their own ovens. Ask the bakery for homemade whipped cream.
Jerry’s Foods
Jerry’s has been known for cutting meat since 1947, but the 2 to 3-pound Tomahawk ribeyes on display in the butcher shop will stop even the most carnivorously experienced steak eater in their tracks.
Colossal maple, berry, caramel apple, and apple fritters share bakery shelf space with locally-owned Patisserie Margo scones.
Breadsmith delivers a bounty of fresh handcrafted artisan breads daily. Take home flaxseed farmers wheat with cranberries. Add a dollop of Dalmatia fig spread from the specialty cheese department.
Locally produced goods include Linden Hills Spice: Smokin’ Maple, Spice It Up and Baking Bliss.
Three flavors of Grandma Edna’s popcorn made in Hastings: Cheddar, Camo (caramel drizzled with European chocolate) and Minnesota Blend (caramel, cheddar and gourmet).
Cranberry or pepper jack turkey sticks from Ferndale Market Meats in Cannon Falls are packed with hearty flavor. You can also stock up on smoked turkey breasts for Thanksgiving.
Lunds & Byerlys
Create a trendy dessert by layering bite-sized chunks of blondies or lady fingers in eight-ounce mason jars, spread with apple jam, add sliced Honeycrisp apples and whipped cream. Sprinkle with crunchy granola.
Seedy, nubby loaves of Minnesota Nice artisan multigrain bread are a daily standard. Pile with rugged, smoky cheese from the deli and gluten-free Boar’s Head meats. Cut slabs for French toast and drizzle with Lunds and Byerlys honey or maple syrup made from Minnesota bees and trees.
Don’t leave without ingredients for an authentic Italian pasta dinner. Lunds & Byerlys’ new organic pasta sauces start with heirloom tomatoes for fresh taste and quality that families appreciate. Pour over slow-dried organic pasta from Italy and serve with warm rustic Italian bread from their Bake at Home collection.
