I was fortunate enough to spend this Holiday season visiting my family in Central Pennsylvania, and while I always enjoy my yearly pilgrimage to my hometown, this year was exceptional.  As I have spent the year enjoying the bounty of local eating in SoCal, my family and friends have been taking advantage of the expanding local food scene in State College.  My trip home gave me an opportunity to recapture some of the old familiar tastes that I had been missing, and try some of new local foods discovered by my loved ones.

One of the old tastes I had been craving was apple butter from Way Fruit Farm, my favorite being made without added sugar.  My mother in law is a reliable source of the delicious spread, regularly keeping the unsweetened version on hand, and I gleefully slathered it on toast whenever possible.  I have tried several brands of apple butters since moving to San Diego, but Ways is still the best I have had.

The other familiar taste that I couldn’t pass up was the chocolate covered pretzels from Gardners Candies, a local sweet shop.  They are best known for their peanut butter meltaways, which are spectacular.  Fortunately - for my figure if not my tastebuds - my family finished off the box of meltaways before my “no candy” resolve broke down.  However, a few days into our trip I was faced with a whole box of chocolate covered pretzels and couldn’t help giving one a try - no point in being a Scrooge.  6 pretzels later I was filled with the Holiday spirit, and more sugar than I had consumed in half a year.  It was well worth it.

In early December my mom learned about local soup maven Tom Everly, who sells soups made with fresh local ingredients, some of which he grows himself.  She had called me to ask if that seemed like a good lunch option for my vegetarian sister, and I assured her that both my sister and I would be trilled to give it a try.  Each week Everly makes both vegetarian and meaty soups, and he generously donates any leftover soup to the Center County Women’s Resource Center, a haven for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence.  My mom was able to procure Mexican Black Bean, and Lentil Barley soups, both vegetarian, and both delicious.  I was pleased to find that they were lightly salted since I often feel prepared soups are just a few salt crystals shy of ocean water.

My best buddy Sarah regularly inspires me with her bravery in the kitchen – she makes her own jams, bakes fresh bread and pizza crusts, and is never afraid to plow ahead with out a recipe.  She also makes an effort to feed her family with local products.  We spent a lovely Tuesday afternoon together visiting an indoor farmers market at the Boalsburg Fire House.  It was small, but had plenty to offer.  We found vendors for meats and cheese, fresh eggs, winter veggies, and plenty of apples.  Sarah picked up a triangle of local Brie from one vendor, and a basket of Mutsu apples from Way Fruit Farm.

Sarah and I met for dinner with our spouses, and my sister and her beau.  We dined at Otto’s Pub & Brewery, a laid back restaurant that brews a variety of tasty beers, and cooks with local ingredients whenever possible.  They also have a selection of Pennsylvania wines on hand for those who are not fans of beer.  My husband sampled their Winter Warmer beer, which is fermented with sour cherries.  He has since declared it the best beer ever.

Our party moved from Otto’s to Sarah’s house for games, where I had occasion to sample the apples and Brie, in addition to local Swiss and Cheddar chesses she had purchased at Meyer Dairy.  Meyer’s is my favorite ice cream spot in State College, but they also sell delicious milk, butter, cheeses, as well as local maple syrup.  All of the cheeses were excellent, and the apples were sweet and crispy – just the way I like them.

My trip home left me feeling relaxed and quite satisfied.  I am grateful for the opportunity to share meals with the people I love, and enjoy the foods that taste like home.