Staff Picks

A Great Cinco de Mayo Meal Starts Here

This week our experts have some great recommendations for your Cinco de Mayo feast, including New England-grown lettuce that stays crispy for days, a super-flavorful local corn tortilla (cooking tip included!), and a wine and beer recommendation that pairs with anything, including the hardy and bold flavors that make Cinco de Mayo such a wonderful cultural and culinary tradition.

Updated 5/3/24

Vermont Tortilla Co.
Soft Corn Tortillas

Pro tip! Most corn tortillas you find in U.S. markets are made using rehydrated corn flour. Vermont Tortilla Co. makes tortillas the traditional way, in small batches. Authentic stone ground corn tortillas, gluten-free, made with locally and regionally sourced corn, with no additives or preservatives ever. One of the best corn tortillas on the market.

Recommended by April Harkness at the Co-op Resource Center. Thanks, April!

WHY APRIL LOVES THIS PRODUCT:
"Made in Vermont so you can feel good about eating locally, and incredibly flavorful because they're made with corn and not corn flour. They're great for traditions like Cinco de Mayo, though they also make the perfect late night snake. Just put a drop of oil in a pan, drop the tortilla in, toast both sides, and add Vermont cheddar. If you happen to have some fresh cilantro and sriracha hot sauce, all the better!"

Available At
Hanover, Lebanon & White River Jct.—Grocery Dept.

Little Leaf
Crisp Lettuce

Our pals at Little Leaf Farms just down the road in Mass founded their company to make great-tasting New England-grown lettuce available year-round. The farm took inspiration from the best produce-growing systems in the world to create an amazing 10-acre greenhouse that grows lettuce that's known for being particularly crispy, curly, and crunchy. It's a great base for any salad, and great for tacos and taco salads on Cinco de Mayo.

Another gem recommended by April Harkness.

WHAT APRIL SAYS:
"I always have this in my fridge. Makes fora fresh crisp salad every time. Even after several days it's still crisp."

Available At
All Locations—Produce Dept.

Sunset Qukes
Teeny Tiny Cucumbers

Look, they're cute. Even a little sassy. But don't let the small size fool you—these cukes pack a ton of flavor. (Pro tip! Smaller-sized fruits and vegetables are often more flavorful.) Our friends at Sunset make their Qukes for little hands, but from our experience big hands will love them, too. Fresh and cool, these two-bite wonders are great for dipping. Recommended by Ann Lyons in Lebanon Floral. Thanks Ann!

WHY ANN LOVES THIS PRODUCT:
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse quis tincidunt orci. Praesent lobortis sapien nibh, consequat sollicitudin augue euismod."

Available At
All Locations—Produce Dept.

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RANA
Signature Meal Kit

Giovanni Rana was born in 1937 in Verona, Italy. At age 13 he joined his brothers in the family bakery, and soon developed a love of creating pasta. His artisanal pastas now have fans worldwide, and this meal kit is a family favorite. Creamy Alfredo sauce made simply with cream and parmesan cheese, combined with grilled chicken and fettuccine. Three ingredients, ready in less than 10 minutes! Recommended by Jeannette Argent, Lebanon Inventory Control. Thanks Jeannette!

WHY JEANNETTE LOVES THIS PRODUCT:
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse quis tincidunt orci. Praesent lobortis sapien nibh, consequat sollicitudin augue euismod."

Available At
Lebanon, Hanover, White River Jct.—Prepared Foods Dept.

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Penya Cotes
Catalanes Rouge

From French Catalonia, with notes of both red and black fruit with silky tannins that pairs well with pizza, pasta, or a good burger. Bold enough to hold up well with a rich Cinco de Mayo feast, too. Medium-bodied, a bit smoky, robust and interesting, with a balanced finish.

Available At
Hanover

Soul Mate Brewing Co.
Morrisville, VT
Pre-Prohibition-American Lager

A pre-Prohibition lager is an old beer style that is making a bit of a comeback, though they can be hard to find. Few commercial versions are made, so the style still remains mostly a homebrew phenomenon, unless you're lucky enough to know a brewery like Soul Mate. Our friends at this wonderful Vermont brewery have brewed this pre-Prohibition style beer to pay tribute to the distinctive style of early American lagers.

Light and easy-drinking, with a unique aroma and flavor profile. A great beer all by itself, and versatile enough to pair nicely with a wide variety of foods.

Available At
White River Jct

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