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S’mores doesn’t have to just be limited to the standard graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate! Consider one of the unique combinations below. All of the ingredients can be purchased at the Littleton Co-op of course! And if your weekend campfire is rained out, consider using the broil function on your oven to create a similar toasty and melty effect.
Enjoy Shrimp Summer Rolls on their own as a light lunch instead of a salad, or accompany them with vegetable fried rice or a fragrant bowl of Vietnamese pho for a more substantial meal.
390 calories, 9 g. fat, 285 mg. cholesterol, 1770 mg. sodium, 38 g. carbohydrate, 1 g. fiber, 34 g. protein
This article originally appeared on Co+op Welcome to the Table.
Chilled soup kind of seems like an oxymoron. A wintry, warming bowl of soup has fragrant steam wafting up, heightening your anticipation as you crumble a few crackers and pick up a spoon, right? It’s also pretty unappealing on a hot sticky day. So, if you have always thought of soups as cold weather fare, you are missing out on a fabulous summer meal. Many of your favorite vegetables and fruits are at their best right now, and will shine in a simple, light cold soup.
Cold soups are served all over the world, with delightfully exotic names like vichyssoise (potato and leek soup), Gazpacho (traditionally made with cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers), Bisque (a thick cream soup, hot or cold), and Sopa de Aguacate (Mexican avocado soup.) Cold soups can be divided into two major types: the creamy and the not creamy. They are simple enough to make and are highly adaptable, so it’s easy to take advantage of what’s in season now or what you happen to have in your refrigerator.
Creamy soups include the classic French vichyssoise, which in its original rendition was made with heavy cream, but doesn’t have to be. Since it doesn’t have to be heated, yogurt or buttermilk can stand-in and lighten the soup considerably.
Creamy chilled soups are smooth and savory or sweet. Starting with a vegetable that can be pureed will give you a natural thickener, as with the potatoes in vichyssoise. But be sure to explore beyond the potato; everything from zucchini to carrots can be cooked and pureed. What makes it a savory soup is the addition of sauteed onions, spices, stock, or other deeper flavors. Leeks, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, peas, beets, and just about anything you have can be cooked until soft and pureed for a cool soup. For a little more body, potatoes or sweet potatoes, cooked beans, or creamy cheeses can meld with your other ingredients, and make the soup more of a meal. Some uncooked savory soups can be concocted from items like avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach or soft leafy herbs like watercress or basil. Just puree and add cream, milk, buttermilk or yogurt to make it as creamy as you would like.
Vegetable soup recipes: Cucumber-Avocado Soup with Heirloom Tomatoes, Chilled Summer Borscht, Watercress Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms, Vichyssoise, Herbed Zucchini Soup
You can also explore fruit soups, which can be sweet or savory. I know that when those precious strawberries, cherries, peaches and melons are at their peak, you probably just eat them unadorned, but soup is a delicious option for summer’s bounty. Instead of blueberry buttermilk cake, a beautiful blueberry buttermilk soup can show off that sweet-tart flavor in spoonable form, and you don’t have to turn on the oven! A lush puree of brilliant fruit is perfectly complemented by the creamy tartness of buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream or other fermented dairy. A zing of citrus zest also adds a nice complement to the sweet fruit. Just about any fruit will be delicious with fresh mint, but don’t stop there. Go tropical with mango, cilantro and lime, which would be tasty with avocado and even a spark of chile to really bring out the flavors. A splash of wine or fruity liquor gives a soup a decidedly grown-up twist.
Fruit soup recipes: Chilled Melon Soup, Blueberry Soup, Strawberry Coconut Soup for a Summer Brunch, Watermelon Gazpacho, Strawberry Tomato Gazpacho, Peach and Tomato Gazpacho(with some chunks)
If you’d prefer to go dairy-free, there are lots of great options, as well. All your non-dairy milk favorites can be whipped into a cold soup. Puree some blanched almonds or raw cashews until very smooth, or add almond or soy milk. Coconut milk is a decadent and delicious creamy soup base, and perfect with tropical or Asian flavors. Carrots pureed with ginger and coconut milk can be a simple soup, or you can take it further by adding curry and dramatic citrus flavors. A block of silken tofu can puree to sumptuous smoothness, and when it’s combined with an equal or larger amount of veggies or fruit, those who are tofu averse are unlikely to notice its presence. Avocados also add a plant-based creaminess to any pureed soup, just be sure to add some lemon or lime to keep it from browning.
Dairy-free soup recipes: Cold Curried Carrot and Coconut Milk Soup, Cold Avocado Corn Soup with Cilantro Oil, Summer Cuke Soup (with almond milk)
If you are not in the mood for creaminess, there are all kinds of great veggie-centric cold soups. Just the variations on gazpacho alone can keep you busy (typically it has lots of diced cucumber, peppers and tomatoes floating in a slightly tart tomato and bread puree, but there are many variations). Roasted red or yellow peppers and a few cooked white beans, pureed and thinned with stock, can be seasoned with Italian herbs like basil and oregano, or take a turn for the Southwest with cumin and chiles. Just aim for a flavorful liquid instead of cream, and puree some of the veggies or fruit for a thicker texture.
Chunky soup recipes: Rustic Gazpacho, Classic Andalusian Gazpacho, Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho, Cold Cucumber Soup, Chilled Yellow Pepper and White Bean Soup.
All chilled soups call out for garnishes, which can be used to make them into more of a meal. Floating some cooked shrimp, cooked shredded chicken, or crumbled soft cheese on a bowl of cold soup gives it the protein heft that you might crave. Toasted nuts or croutons can add some crunchy texture and make a light soup more filling. It’s classic to swirl some yogurt or sour cream into many cold soups, making your colors pop and giving you a decadent contrast or complement. Of course, fresh herbs are always appropriate, whether a sprig of mint in a watermelon soup, or a pile of shredded basil on a cold tomato bisque.
Summer’s bounty of colorful fresh and flavorful ingredients will make your cold soups as pretty as they are delicious.
This article originally appeared on Co+op Welcome to the Table.
The dipping possibilities are practically endless! At least, they’re much more expansive than we were willing to list here. Since we were feeling in an early 2010s Buzzfeed quiz-taking mood, we decided that the dip you most often reach for can say a lot about you. Here we present a part of your soul you may not have realized:
Salsa. Is it basic to say you’re basic? To those who don’t know you well, they’d definitely call you that “B” word. But what they don’t know is that you have a hidden depth that only presents itself around people you feel comfortable with. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re an introvert, but you save your extra spice for close friends and family. You won’t volunteer to play the starring role in the next community play, but you wouldn’t shut down a karaoke duet with your bestie.
Guacamole. You’d much rather “go with the flow” than stick to a plan. You’re confident… sometimes too confident. You have bold opinions and a great sense of self, which has served you well in your career and personal life. However, you sometimes walk the line between “confident” and “arrogant,” which is why some people have a different interpretation than you see yourself. You attract loyal friends, and they’re always ready to come to your defense and set the record straight.
Queso. You don’t believe that it was curiosity that killed the cat – and you’re going to investigate what did. Your childhood revolved around Nancy Drew and spy movies, and has transitioned to an adulthood of trying new cuisines and hopping on the latest fashion trend. What people don’t realize is there are always calculations behind your risks. Sure, you’ll go on an epic backpacking adventure… but there’s going to be a lot of heavy research beforehand.
Spinach Artichoke. You frequently suffer from “analysis paralysis.” And while that might result in a longer decision making timeline, those around you appreciate knowing your final result isn’t a flippant choice. You love making a pros and cons list or engaging in healthy debate. You’re not quite an introvert or an extrovert, which frustrates some people, but you like existing in the space between based on who you’re interacting with. Someone would unironically say “you contain multitudes.”
Buffalo Chicken. You are truly the star of your own life. The spotlight loves you, and vice versa. And while people are quick to acknowledge your shiny end product, you also appreciate when your hard work and preparation is noticed. You didn’t become a star by accident – it was putting in time and effort into each part of your life. Your love language is gift giving (or gift-making when you have the time) and you’d certainly never show up to a get together empty handed.
Hummus. You often take on the caretaker role in your friend group; people look to you for mentorship, affirmation, and the First Aid kit you always keep in your bag. You are always looking out for the needs of everyone else, and feel most comfortable when everyone is included. Big parties are not your scene; you’d much rather stay home on a Saturday night, curled up with a good book (and your hummus, of course).
French Onion. You’re a minimalist in life… and in dips. You can’t understand why anyone would buy a dip to specifically match the dipper; part of why you like french onion dip is it goes with just about everything. You extend that mentality to the rest of life, taking a minimalist approach to your home, your closet, and your tight knit friend group. You live by the motto “quality over quantity.”
It’s no secret that all the mothers in our lives deserve something nice this Mother’s Day. But parents spend 18+ years providing for their children, meaning sometimes it’s hard to let go and let themselves be treated special for once. But that just means they deserve a gift to show your appreciation even more! Have you seen those restaurants out there that have named menu items based on cliches that kids say when you ask them what they want to eat? A hot dog and french fries might be called “I Don’t Know,” and an “I’m Not Hungry” consists of penne pasta and sauce. We’ve adapted that idea below for Mother’s Day. Use what the mothers in your life say they want for Mother’s Day to select from one of the options below. And remember, we’re going to look beyond the superficial words being said here. For instance:
This mom doesn’t want to be the center of attention or have a big fuss made that upsets a Sunday routine. And they likely don’t want more physical products to try to make space for in the house. Hot take: sometimes giving someone a “special Mother’s Day” vase, jewelry box, tchotchke, etc is actually more of a burden than a gift. You’re saying now I have another ~thing~ in my space that I didn’t get to pick out AND I can never throw away without a lifetime of guilt?? Instead of elaborate plans or unnecessary products, focus on enhancing the routine they already have. Consider:
Local Coffee. Start mom’s day with an extra special cup of joe. Local coffee tastes best because not only are our local producers focused on craft and quality over mass production, it’s a gift that directly supports your community. Moms have enough to worry about in life – take one worry away by gifting ethically-sourced, environmentally-responsible coffee beans. And hey, get ground beans – don’t make them do any more than required.
Trail mix or energy bites from the Bulk Department. A mother on the go can never get enough protein-packed fuel to get through the day. And whether you’re a spouse, child, family member, or co-worker, let’s be honest here: you’re one of the reasons their energy is depleting. It’s only fair that you give a boost.
Littleton Co-op gift card. There’s bound to be SOMETHING a mom needs at the Littleton Co-op! Let mom decide with a gift card to their favorite local grocery store. And even better: give the gift of a solo shopping trip. Sometimes, even better than a bottle of wine paid for with a gift card is the opportunity to stand in the wine aisle deciding for as long as you want; no screaming kids, no impatient partner, just pure grocery store bliss. Purchase Gift Card Online.
Gift giving and receiving is not everyone’s “love language” and that’s totally okay! Quality time might mean more to mom than the most expensive gift money could buy. But let’s face it: an excursion or day out on the town can add up fast. But hanging out at home watching TV doesn’t really separate Mother’s Day from a regular Tuesday. Consider purchasing something to center your quality time around, such as:
Co-op Puzzle. The ultimate rainy day activity! The worst thing would be making mom feel frustrated, which is why the Co-op puzzle is an achievable 375 pieces. Cooperate with mom to assemble a collage of some of our favorite cooperative moments. This is great to spark conversations about your favorite foods, memories from the past fifteen years, and memorable times working on a team.
King Arthur Baking Mix. Get your hands dirty with mom in the kitchen this Mother’s Day! Not only do you get to enjoy the activity of baking something savory or sweet together, but then you get the secondary experience of enjoying your creation together. If home baking is not your strong suit, King Arthur Baking mixes make the process much easier. And you know all the ingredients will be top-notch. Plus, the King Arthur Baking headquarters is a short drive away in Norwich, VT – road trip with mom!
NH travel cribbage board. This isn’t just your standard cribbage board. These handcrafted wooden sets from Maine are carved with White Mountains inspired images on the board and pegs. Mom will feel touched that you went the extra mile to customize a board for the two of you to play together; meanwhile, all the work you have to do is pick it up from the Co-op.
Okay, that’s great, mom. What I want to give you is an all expenses paid tropical vacation, one million dollars, and a break from carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, but that’s not realistic for multiple reasons so could you give me some guidance here? Moms who say something along these lines just don’t want to be a burden; but, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate a token of affection. If a tropical vacation is out of your budget, focus on smaller gifts that can give mom those same feelings of a calm and stress-free life. Consider these options:
Locally-made soap. In our completely unbiased opinion, our local soap makers are the best! The artistry that goes into the flavor design and physical crafting of our local soap selection is exactly the kind of thing a mother will appreciate. And that’s not even including getting to use it and experience a lather of love.
Specialty Cheese accessories. Of course, Mom (or anybody really!) would appreciate a selection of cheeses from the Specialty Cheese island. But it can be difficult to gift perishable items (especially in the warmer months when we can’t use the back porch as a secondary refrigerator lol). But the Specialty Cheese Department also has a number of high quality non-perishable crackers, jams, spreads, and other “accessories” that would pair well with any cheese or other food of mom’s choosing.
Aromatherapy tools. I don’t think anyone knows a mother who is “too relaxed” or “gets plenty of sleep.” Help all the moms treat themselves with lotions, masks, bath add-ins, oils, and more from the Wellness Department. Many brands offer tools to focus on various areas of wellness, but you can never go wrong with anything targeting sleep or relaxation. Bonus points for knowing mom’s favorite scent!
In honor of Earth Day, Littleton Food Co-op’s Green Team is announcing their new shelf tags – look for them in the aisles to signify tried and true products loved by members of our Green Team. Will you find a new favorite natural deodorant packaged in *gasp* not plastic? Maybe! How about some eco-conscious laundry detergent you don’t have to work so hard to lug up some stairs? Take a peek in aisle 5 and your dreams just might come true. Did you know we have plant-based bacon that some of our vegan employees love?! Consider this a permission slip to go on a fun and earth-friendly scavenger hunt around the Co-op! What sustainable featured products will you find?
With whatever you discover, remember you’re not alone in your determination to choose more eco-conscious items for purchase! The Co-op is on a continuous and evolving mission to consider challenges of climate, energy, and ecology as decisions are made throughout the store. Happy Earth Day from the Littleton Food Co-op, and may your findings be both fun and sustainable. Look for these shelf tags throughout the store for Green Team’s picks all year ‘round!
Humble Deodorant
Humble Deodorant has plastic-free packaging and the brand has ingredient transparency.
MyBacon
This product is a plant-based (mushroom) bacon alternative- and approved by Co-op resident vegans!
Rebel Green Laundry Detergent Sheets
These laundry sheets have plastic-free packaging!
Thousand Hills Beef
Thousand Hills ensures their livestock spend their lives on grass-fed pastures (100% grass fed beef), support and utilize regenerative agriculture practices, and have a lot of educational info on their website.
Fetzer Wines
This winery is a Certified California Sustainable winery and a Certified B Corporation, which means the winery is committed to driving a global movement toward building a more inclusive, sustainable economy.
Earthwise Mesh Produce Bags
Their bags are reusable and on a mission to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
When thinking of how to imbibe on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s easy to go straight to the classic Guinness. But the Littleton Co-op has more options! Our beer buyer generously compiled a list of ales from Ireland and the UK for us. As of March 2025, the Co-op carries:
As always, if you need assistance finding any of these options please ask any of our employees! Our Beer staff is also happy to make recommendations.
We know first hand the power of good, nutritious food to transform lives. But, we also know that many folks in our local communities struggle to put food on the table. Local food pantries and food access organizations work tirelessly to fill the gap left by food insecurity, and we are honored to have worked with the following organizations in the past. This list is not maintained or updated to reflect spur of the moment changes — please reach out to individual organizations for up to date hours and locations.
The capability of food access organizations has increased dramatically over the years! Many of the organizations below offer fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen items, and personal care products. Organizations also have varying participant requirements (ex: federal program qualifications, residency, etc) — but some have none at all! Please contact organizations directly to find out more about offerings and requirements.
We know that a great match up is what makes a great game, so we asked our beer expert Kevin to match classic football snacks with their best accompanying local brew. And to be sporty, we’re calling them MVPs: Most Valuable Pairings. While it’s not as elegant as pairing wine and cheese, these still let your favorite beers and game snacks shine. All of these great local options (and much more!) are here at the Littleton Co-op. We also have all the domestic and international classics, and N/A options, too! Check out Kevin’s recommendations below. But whatever brews you choose, make sure you have enough to last the whole game!
