It's gift-giving time for many. And what better to share than a taste of Alaska?
Maybe you're sending Alaska's succulent seafood or sweet treats to relatives Outside. Or maybe it's a special loaf of holiday bread or cookies.
Here are some places that could make shopping a bit easier.
10th & M Seafoods: "We are in the middle of holiday gift-giving and what better to give than the best seafood in the world," says Dannon Southall. "The catch of both red and golden crab was very good this year... We offer the golden and red in 5-pound or 10-pound boxes delivered anywhere in the U.S. The highlight of this year's gift packs is the Seafood Combo. Filled with 2 pounds of large king crab, 2 pounds frozen halibut fillets, 2 pounds frozen red salmon fillets and 1 pound smoked red salmon fillet delivered for $219.95. This is the best way to experience a wide range of the best of Alaskan seafood." For more options, visit 10thandmseafoods.com.
Alaska Gourmet: Salmon, halibut, king crab, scallops and reindeer sausage are all available for purchase and shipping. "We specialize in live crab in season," Sarah Ballard says. "However, we currently have jumbo Alaskan red king crab for $23 per pound and medium size Norton Sound red king crab for $16 per pound." For more information, visit akgourmet.com.
New Sagaya Markets: There are a variety of seafood packages, including halibut and salmon duo ($149) and a variety pack that includes 2 pounds of Alaskan gold king crab, halibut and salmon ($159). For more information, visit store.newsagaya.com.
Alaska Sausage and Seafood: As the name suggests, the longtime Alaska company offers a variety of seafood and sausage options. The All Reindeer basket includes Alaskan sausage chub, two Alaska sausage rings, Alaska hunter sticks, crackers and cheese for $49.99. The Northern Delights basket includes a variety of sausages, smoked salmon and alder smoked mustard for $51.99. For more information, visit alaskasausage.com.
Kahiltna Birchworks: If it's a sweet treat, it's hard to go wrong with birch syrup. The syrup-crafters from the Valley have nearly 20 gift baskets and an endless variety of options to make a perfect gift. Some of the basket highlights include pure birch syrup; birch orange mustard; Copper River smoked salmon; jams including blueberry, salmonberry and lingonberry; Alaska honey; and hand-crafted baskets and pottery options. Call 800-380-7457 or visit alaskabirchsyrup.com/gibaandcr.html.
Sweet treats at the bakery
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop always has plenty of pastries to keep shoppers happy. The breads take on a richness during the holiday season too.
"When assembling the ingredients for a class on the holiday breads from around the world, Carlyle Watt was struck by the similarities of these rich breads," says co-owner Janis Fleischman. "Traditional Christmas and Hanukkah breads feature rich dough -- think butter -- sugar or honey and preserved fruit, because fresh fruit was not available in winter.
"Fire Island makes a traditional Stollen that is filled with house-made candied citrus peel, rum soaked fruit, organic flour, lots and lots of organic butter, fresh spices and covered in powdered sugar. Babka is made with a rich dough (butter again) and filled with cinnamon and dark chocolate."
Both breads are available as well as holiday rolls, Alaska sourdough, rustic wheat and the classic baguette. And there will be lots of cookies, lemon tarts, pumpkin Bavarian cakes, peppermint tortes and rugelach.
"On the cookie side of the holiday, we all know we love them, but figuring out what to call them is a bit harder," Fleischman says. "Russian tea cakes (definitively not from Russia) are also known as snowballs, sand tarts or sandys, Mexican wedding cakes, polvorones, pfefferneuse, Viennese almond crescents? and Italian wedding cookies. At Fire Island, organic butter, finely chopped pecans and a bit of salt and flour are combined. The cookie is double rolled in powdered sugar for a cookie that is a favorite."
Fire Island is open through Christmas Eve. Normally closed Mondays and Tuesdays, the store is open Christmas week every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit either location, 1343 G St. or 2530 E. 16th Ave.
More bread for the holidays
Rise & Shine Bakery is baking again leading up to the holidays. Bread ordered starting this Thursday can be picked up on Dec. 23 in one of two Anchorage locations.
Breads available include Alaskan potato and spent grain pan loaves, along with fresh rosemary, dark chocolate and cherry, and fruited almond hearth loaves.
Get more information and sign up to order at riseandshinebread.com.
Farmers markets
Don't forget about the markets when looking for gifts or to fill out your menu.
The Center Market is open Wednesday and Saturday this week. Most of the regular vendors are lined up. They include:
- Sweet Caribou: James Strong says we are excited about candy canes and went crazy with the peppermint and the results are to die for. The lineup includes peppermint white and dark chocolate brownies, peppermint cupcakes (chocolate cake, peppermint ganache and peppermint white chocolate topping) and peppermint bark cupcakes. There's even a vegan chocolate cake with peppermint frosting.
- La Grassa will have a wide variety of pastas, including Alaska potato gnocchi, sautéed mushroom ravioli and vegan Alaska beet and cashew ricotta ravioli. They are at both markets.
- Farm 779 will be at both markets with pints of hot fermented dilly beans, cashew cacao truffles, kraut, coconut kefir, kvass and other items.
- A.D. Farm will have pork items; vegetables including beets, carrots and potatoes; eggs; Alaska Sprouts items, including basil, sprouts and tofu; and barley products.
- Alaska Black Cod will be at both markets with ling cod, yellow-eye rockfish, smoked black cod and Copper River salmon, along with other seafood options.
At Duane's Top Shelf Artisan Market in the Valley, look for Country Health Foods, Farm 779 and Jonesers. The vendors will have honey, zucchini relish, jams, salsa, whole-food probiotics, fermented dilly beans, hand-blended teas and nectars.
Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.
Local farmers markets
Monday in the Valley: Depot Farm Market, noon-6 p.m., Palmer Depot
Wednesday in Anchorage: Alaska Pacific University Farmers Market, 1:30-6:30 p.m., APU campus in front of Grant Hall; Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Friday in the Valley: Duane's Top Shelf Farmers Market, 2-7 p.m., 1507 N. Double B St., Palmer
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street