When it comes to food gifts for the holidays, we like choices that offer a sense of place in their taste. We sought out specialties made in the Carolinas and found many. Among our favorites are buttermints made with real butter in Wilmington, an award-winning jalapeño and sour apple sauce out of Mooresville and a smoky Bloody Mary mix from Charleston. From sweet to savory, saucy to thirst-quenching, these gift ideas are sure to please the food lovers on your list.
Staff writer Kathleen Purvis contributed to this report.
Heide's Buttermints
It is hard these days to find a buttermint made with real butter. But this Wilmington company does just that and sells a variety of flavors from classic to peppermint, cheesecake to key lime. We prefer the peppermint flavor. They cost $7.29 for 10-ounce package. Available at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, NOFO at the Pig in Raleigh and the Fresh Market at Raleigh's Cameron Village.
Race City
Sauce Works
Victory Lane Jalapeño-Sour Apple Pepper Sauce
The Mooresville company's wide array of sauces have won 31 awards in two years. This one, the company's top prize winner, was honored as the Most Unique Sauce two years in a row at the N.C. Hot Sauce competition in Oxford. A 5-ounce bottle is about $5. Available at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, The Meat House in Raleigh and Cary, Stovall's Gifts in Oxford and online:
www.racecitysauce works.com .
Goodness Gracie
Sinful Salted Pecans
This Wilmington company may be better known for its Heavenly Toffee Cookies, but its salted pecans are equally addictive. They make a perfect hostess gift for holiday parties. An 8-ounce tin sells for $14.99. Available at NOFO at the Pig, Shonell's, Gingham Posh, N.C. Museum of History, Taylor's of Raleigh, all in Raleigh, N.C. General Stores in Wake Forest, Parker and Otis in Durham, A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, Foster's Market in Chapel Hill and Durham and online: www.goodnessgracie.com.
Fat and JuicyBloody Mary Mix
Any afternoon with time for a Bloody Mary feels special. Fat And Juicy, the creation of two guys in Charleston, turns the drink into a real occasion. It's much thicker and richer than most mixes. It packs some smoky spice and pepper, but puts the emphasis on the tomato, not the heat. It's $6 for a 32-ounce bottle, or $2.49 for an 8-ounce stocking-stuffer size. Available at Food Lion and Lowes Foods stores and online:
www.fatandjuicy mix.com .
LoneRiderDeadeye Jack Porter
This robust porter won a silver medal this fall at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. This is the second medal the Raleigh brewery has brought home from that competition. Last year, Sweet Josie, an American-style brown ale, won a gold medal. A six-pack of the seasonal Deadeye Jack Porter sells for $8.99. Available at most grocery stores and specialty beer stores across the state.
Southern Supreme Fruitcakes
This Chatham County family business sells a fruitcake that obliterates fruitcake stereotypes. This addictive nut-centric cake ranges from $7 for an 8-ounce slab up to $43.50 for 4 1/2-pound cake. Available at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, Fresh Market stores across the state and online: www.southernsupreme.com.
Gullah Gourmet Shrimp and Grits
This Lowcountry classic makes an easy meal: Add water to the yellow stone-ground grits and the sauce packet, sauté up fresh shrimp and serve together. We think this Charleston company's meals-in-a-bag from shrimp and grits to gumbo make a perfect stocking stuffer. A four-serving bag is $11.95. Available at Southern Season in Chapel Hill, Parker and Otis in Durham and online: www.gullahgourmet.com.
Carolina Candy Company Toffee
This candy company out of Wilmington makes a soft butter crunch covered with variety of chocolates and nuts. Among its best-selling items are Tar Heel Toffee, made with almonds and dusted with ground almonds, and our favorite, Southern Pecan Toffee, made with pecans and covered with dark chocolate. Prices range from $6.50 for a quarter-pound to $19.99 for a pound. Available at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, NOFO at the Pig in Raleigh, The Rusty Bucket and Aria Gifts, both in Apex, Parker and Otis in Durham, Afternoon Tea in Sanford, Stovall's Gifts in Oxford, Taylor's of Raleigh and online: www.carolinacandy.com.
Lowcountry Produce Sweet Potato Butter
What more is there to say than this Charleston company's sweet potato butter was named one of Oprah's favorite things? A 16-ounce jar is $8. Available at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, The Meat House in Raleigh and Cary, Parker and Otis in Durham, Peacock Alley Gifts in Chapel Hill, Bailey's Fine Jewelry in Raleigh and online: www.lowcountryproduce.com.
Slatherin' Sauce
This sweet, sticky and spicy sauce is a blend of honey, pineapple, tomatoes, crushed red pepper and spices, available in original and spicy versions. We love the Charleston company's motto: The Cure for Boring Food. A 16-ounce jar sells for $7.99. It is available at The Fresh Market and Whole Foods stores across the state, Parker and Otis in Durham, A Southern Season in Chapel Hill and online: slatheriton.com.
Miss Jenny's Frickle Kit
Laid-off stockbroker Jenny Fulton became a Kernersville pickle entrepreneur two years ago. Her pickles can be found at Harris Teeter and Whole Foods stores across the state. For the holidays, we like her fried pickle or "frickle" kit for an adventurous home cook on your list. The kit includes a jar of pickles, batter, a jar opener and a whisk for $17.95. Available at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill and online: www.missjennys pickles.com .
Blenheim's Ginger Ale
This crisp ginger ale with a bit of a kick is bottled just across the South Carolina line along Interstate 95 at the South of the Border complex. It comes in three flavors, distinguished by white, gold or red bottle caps: Diet, Not as Hot and Hot. It costs $1.50 for a single bottle to $8.99 for a six-pack. Available at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, Cole's Produce Patch stand in the upper building at State Farmer's Market in Raleigh, Parker and Otis in Durham and online: www.blenheimgingerale.com.
