Co-op Staff Picks

Out of all our great staff picks this week, one in particular is extra special—so good that a long-time member of our staff contributed to the production of it, so you know it has to be awesome.

Read on, try something new, and as always, let us know what you think!

Updated 9/29/23

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Whetstone Brewing Company (Brattleboro, VT)
Quechee Gorge Maple Amber Ale

Twice a year our good friends at Whetstone Beer Co. power up their creativity and expansive imaginations to brew a limited-edition beer to support Vermont Parks Forever, an organization founded in 2013 to preserve the natural beauty of Vermont’s 55 state parks. This time around, they partnered with Vermont Maple to create a true, one-of-a-kind brew, the Quechee Gorge Maple Amber Ale.

Vermont Maple is a collective of seven small family farms in the Upper Valley who craft small-batch, pure Vermont maple syrup using traditional sugaring methods. One of these fabulous farmers is the Co-op’s very own Dave Phillips, a long-time maple syrup producer and the guru of our famous beer department at the White River Junction Co-op!





Quechee Gorge Maple Amber Ale won’t be around forever, so be sure to get it while you can. A limited-edition beauty with a rare flavor profile, the beer pours light and golden, goes down smooth, and finishes on the palate with a sweet touch of maple syrup that's not overpowering.

Whetstone will donate proceeds from all Pints for Parks limited-release beers, as well as the beers' cool retro swag, to Vermont Parks Forever. Be sure to peel off and collect the keepsake stickers on every beer can!

Available At
White River Jct

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Siete
Salsas

NEW! We're going to go out on a limb here and say that these salsas may become a mealtime staple in your house. Featuring two taqueria styles—Salsa Cremosa and Salsa Soleada—as well as two casera (homemade) styles—Mild and Spicy. Limited ingredients with huge, zingy flavors that do everything a salsa is supposed to do. No whimpy salsas here.

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

Stellar Braids
Pretzels

Our latest pretzel crush! (And that's saying something, given what we feel about pretzels around here.) These pretzels are made with vegan butter, and we've got two great varieties for all your intense snacking needs. Simply Sea Salted is packed with that salty flavor you're after in a pretzel, and Sweet & Sparky is a zesty buffalo that starts sweet then packs a punch. Try them with cheese, dips, or all by themselves.

Available At
Lebanon—Grocery Dept.

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Boar's Head
Firesmith Flame Grilled Chicken Breast

Our old friends at Boar's Head have outdone themselves with this flame-grilled chicken breast. Hand-selected premium ingredients, subtle complexity, deeply delicious flavor. Genuine grilled flavor, perfectly balanced with the flavor of the chicken.

Pro tip: Pairs beautifully with dill pickles, cheddar cheese, and—oh, who are we kidding?—pretty much anything else.

Available At
Hanover & White River Jct.—Deli Dept.

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Castellino
Grilled Artichoke Hearts

This is a truly special culinary experience. Castellino of Italy—experts at preserving traditional Italian vegetables since the 1970s—grills artichokes in white wine, cuts them into halves, and packs them in a spiced brine to preserve the fresh flavor. An amazing, zesty accompaniment to your main course or to amplify your appetizer platter. Great in a chicken or pasta dish, especially.

Available At
Hanover—Cheese Dept.

Pecorino Ginepro Sheep Cheese

Specialty cheese lovers will adore this semi-hard sheep's milk cheese, bathed in balsamic vinegar and juniper berries and aged for 3 months in oak barrels. The end result is cheese that's full of bold flavor and musty aromas, balanced by the fruity finish with hints of juniper.

Available At
Hanover—Cheese Dept.

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Global Village Foods (Quechee, VT)
Black Eye Bean Kofta w/ Eggplant Sauce

ON SALE!
6 oz.......................$5.99  Save $1.00

Our friends at Global Village Foods have done an amazing thing—create a local Vermont product that can still take you on a culinary adventure around the world.

This is a vegan version of a Middle Eastern meatball favorite, using only black-eyed beans to create a bean ball fritter flavored with boisterous and savory spices, served in a flavorful spiced eggplant sauce. Allergy friendly, ready-to-eat, African-inspired cuisine.

Available At
All Locations—Prepared Foods Dept.

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