Matzo Ball Soup Recipe

December 9, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

While matzo is a traditional food and ingredient for Passover, matzo ball is an irresistible treat for a winter evening. For a vegetarian version the chicken breast can be excluded and chicken stock substituted for vegetable stock.

Ingredients

Matzo balls

3 large eggs
3 tablespoons chicken fat or vegetable oil
3/4 cup matzo meal
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Black pepper
3 tablespoons cold water

Soup

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 large carrots, sliced
3 ribs celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
12-ounce chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cubed
8 cups chicken stock
Black pepper
1 teaspoon dried dill

Preparation

For matzo balls: Lightly whisk the eggs in a medium bowl, then whisk in the fat or oil. Add the matzo meal, salt, baking powder and a few grinds of pepper to the egg mixture and stir to mix. Stir in the water and refrigerate for 30 minutes, until the moisture has been absorbed.
For soup: In a large pot, drizzle oil and place over medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots and celery, and saute until they start to sizzle, then reduce to medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and chicken and raise the heat to medium high. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes to lightly brown in spots.
Add the chicken stock, pepper and dill and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer, then cover the pot.
Scoop rounded tablespoons of matzo mixture, roll each scoop into a ball and drop into the simmering soup. When all the matzo balls are in the soup, cover and adjust the heat to bring the soup back to a very gentle simmer. Cook for 30-40 minutes, and then serve hot.

Nutritional Information

640 calories, 26 g. fat, 250 mg. cholesterol, 1340 mg. sodium, 51 g. carbohydrate, 5 g. fiber, 47 g. protein

This post originally appeared on the Co-op Stronger Together website.

The Wonderful World of Cotija Cheese

February 5, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

Are you familiar with cotija cheese? If not, football season is the perfect time to try it out! Cotija cheese is a semi-hard, slightly aged cheese from Mexico that crumbles like parm but with a stronger, saltier flavor. It doesn’t melt, so it’s often used for crumbling on top of dishes. But it doesn’t have to be regaled to the sidelines! We curated some great recipes that use cotija cheese in a variety of contexts — but they’re all great for this weekend.

Mexican Street Corn Dip

Variations of this dip is perhaps one of cotija’s most notable contributions. Whether it’s intact on the cob in the summer, or made from canned corn in the colder months, different forms of street corn are a great way to add some ~zest~ to your plate. This recipe puts these flavors into a creamy dip form–perfect for scooping up with a tortilla chip or pretzel! The cotija helps counterbalance the jalapeno and various spices while contributing a unique texture. Check out the recipe here.

Cilantro and Cotija Queso Dip

We love this recipe because it’s one where cotija really gets to be a main player. Even though it’s still crumbled on top, it’s accompanied by other ingredients with mild profiles, so it’s salty characteristic gets to stand out. Try it for yourself here.

Bacon Guacamole with Cotija Cheese

If you didn’t think classic guac could get any better, you’ve never put BACON in it. I mean, what isn’t improved by adding bacon? The cotija serves to make the guac creamier than what you’ve come to expect. Plus, you get the added benefit of surprising your guests who were just expecting regular guac. They weren’t expecting this masterpiece.

Okay, you caught us: we’re big dip people. Dips are so versatile, both in flavor possibilities and different uses. Of course chips and other dippers are classic, but you can also recycle and reuse dips into later weeknight recipes. Speaking of…

Mexican Hot Dog

This recipe is great because you can serve it on game day, or certainly save it for later in the weekend as a use for party leftovers. Everyone loves a classic dog, but adding only a couple steps elevates this base beyond the ballpark. Check out the recipe here and let us know what sort of variations you would add.

Where’s the Milk?

February 4, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

Many folks have been asking this winter: “Where’s all the Robie Farm milk?” “Why do you not have any Huckins Farm products on the shelves?” Although we’re tempted to stockpile all that local dairy goodness for ourselves, that’s not what’s happening here. We wanted to set the record straight about local dairy this winter.

First, there’s the cows themselves.

Simply put, cows do not produce as much milk in the winter. Unlike childhood storybooks have led us to believe, cows are not constant suppliers of milk that are ready with a fresh squeeze whenever we feel. Many factors affect milk production, and a huge one is weather. When temperatures drop for our infamous New England winters, it changes the life of a cow completely. First, their feed changes. Gone are the rolling acres of fresh green pasture; farmers become more reliant on hay and alternative feeds. Did you know that cows can drink an average of 3 to 5 gallons of water a minute? Cows are pretty fussy about their water temperature. Water that’s too cold or even frozen is not going to fly. No hydration or nutrition = no milk. In addition, cows have to send their bodily energy away from making milk for the winter. It goes either to maintaining their internal body temperature or producing new life to continue the milking cycle.

Secondly, there’s the farmers.

It’s not uncommon to hear a dairy farm being referred to as a seventh, eighth, twelfth generation or beyond operated farm. This means the farm is run by a family, like many of our local farms are. Staffing a dairy farm is a hard task year round, but especially difficult in the winter. Children that would be helping around the farm return back to school, work slows enough to not justify part-time farmhands, and conditions can become brutal for even the most experienced farmers. Suffice to say, if there even is milk to prepare, there might not be enough people around to do it.

So when is the milk coming back?

Short answer is we don’t know, but we’re working hard to make sure it’s as soon as possible. A high priority of ours is cultivating meaningful relationships with our local dairy farmers, and we know they will prioritize getting milk back on our shelves as soon as possible. However, we can’t sell you milk when there is none coming from the farm. The dairy farmers cannot predict what factors will impact milk production in the coming weeks, so, unfortunately, they can’t tell our Dairy Department when they will deliver. We also don’t want to name a random date only to get your hopes up and generate disappointment when unforeseen circumstances kick in.

Then how will I know when it’s back?

The best recommendation we have is to call the store to inquire about a product you are interested in. We cannot call customers when a product comes in or set aside product; we see hundreds of customers everyday and our staff are too busy to carry out special requests like these. This is also a great opportunity to try something new! We have thousands of products in store and new items added weekly. Who knows, you might just discover a new favorite.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this natural part of the milk production cycle.

Support the NH Farm to School Bill

February 1, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

The New Hampshire state legislature will soon be deciding on HB1678-FN, also known as the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Pilot Program or the Farm to School Bill. The goal of this program is to connect more NH school cafeterias with fresh, locally produced foods to serve their populations. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there are innumerable benefits to eating local, including fresher food, lower carbon emissions, and a strong economy. That is why the Littleton Food Co-op is a proud supporter of the Farm to School Bill. As we know, a thriving democracy only thrives when its members are active participants. Here’s what you can do to help support the passage of this bill:

Educate yourself on the bill

NOFA-NH (Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH) has put together a great resource guide about how this program will work, why it is important to NH, and who will benefit from it. Click here to read more from NOFA-NH.

Read General Manager Ed King’s letter of support for NH HB-1678-FN

To Whom It May Concern,

Food Coops across the country have a long history of supporting local agriculture
and healthy eating. I’m writing this letter in support of a Farm to School Bill that is
currently before the New Hampshire House (HB 1678-FN). The goal of the bill is to
increase the availability of local fruits and vegetables in our school systems
statewide. Similar Bills have failed to pass recently in New Hampshire, leaving a
significant amount of Federal matching funding on the table. Speaking on behalf of
the Littleton Food Coop’s 9 Board Members and over 9,000 Members we feel that it
is imperative that HB 1678-FN passes in Fiscal Year 2024.
We’re not sure why this initiative hasn’t passed before this year? This program has
a modest cost of $241,000 for the state and accesses significant federal matching
funds that have already been approved. Do our representatives have something
against NH Farmers? Or perhaps they’re not interested in better nutrition for our
school children? I doubt that is the case. Maybe I am missing something here? What
we don’t want is the errors of the past to doom a positive path forward. Therefore the
Littleton Food Coop and its Members urge our legislatures to pass HB 1678-FN
during this session.

Cooperatively,
Ed King, General Manager LFC

Sign the official letter of support

NOFA-NH is doing the ground work of centralizing communities across NH into one strong letter of support. Click here to add your name to the letter and an optional short what local food means to you.

Contact your representatives

If this is a cause you’re really passionate about and you have a few extra minutes, use them to contact your state representative directly. Click here to find out who your representative is. If this seems to overwhelming, have no fear! There are plenty of resources and templates online designed to help folks contact their representatives. Many of them allow you to just plug in your name and information, and a sentence or two about the bill you’re writing about.

Help us make local food in local schools a reality!

Holiday Gift Guide 2023

December 17, 2023 By Anastasia Maher

Gifts for every budget and every person on your list – all in one convenient place.

By the time you’re reading this, we’re getting into the “last minute shopping season.” Just because you come across a gift closer to the holiday does not mean you have to compromise on quality. We’re all busy people who don’t always have time to take a special Christmas shopping trip. And then there’s the flaky uncle you assumed wasn’t coming to dinner who all of a sudden RSVPs “yes.” The extra child you forgot your sibling has. The dog! Don’t forget a present for the dog!

But wait, you also have to go grocery shopping! Ahhh! Stress!! Why not do two things at once and do your last minute holiday shopping at the Littleton Food Co-op? This year we’ve compiled a list of gifts straight from the Co-op shelves to fit any budget. Whether you’ve got $5 to spend or $50, show your love this holiday season with one of these festive gifts:

Under $5

A quality bar of chocolate: The key to giving a small, single item is to make it unique and of quality. We suggest something from Equal Exchange or Endangered Species. Try going out of the box a little bit, perhaps with the Lemon Ginger or Cinnamon Cayenne & Cherries. This also means you’re giving a new experience, too. An added bonus is that both of these companies use fair trade ingredients, so you can feel good about passing this along.
Locally designed greeting card: Perfect for friends and family far away, a card with a sweet note can be one of the most heartfelt gifts to give and receive. If you want to go a step further, include some mementos like photos from the year, newspaper clippings, copies of ticket stubs, etc. to let your recipient know how your year went.
An aesthetically pleasing jar of popcorn: Utilizing the resources of the Bulk Department is the ideal way to cut costs this holiday season. Simply grab the jar of your choice (or bring one from home) and fill it with either multicolor, yellow, or white kernels. This is the perfect gift for someone who cares about how their kitchen/pantry looks or is constantly on FoodTok. Wrap it up in a nice ribbon or throw a bow on top and you won’t even have to wrap it. Plus, if you throw in the promise of a movie in the future, you’re giving the gift of quality time. Just make sure they’re paying for the movie if you intend to keep it under $5…
Other options: dog treats; a seasoning they use a lot or have never tried before; fancy mustard or other condiment; moisturizing lip balm.

Under $15

Cabot Seriously Sharp Popcorn: Okay, this may sound silly to those who haven’t had this magnificent popcorn snack, but to those who have, you know what’s up. Whoever you give this to is either going to love you for introducing them to their new favorite snack… or hate you for introducing them to their new favorite snack. Throw in their new Sea Salt Caramel Cheddar or Maple Cheddar holiday flavors and it makes a whole popcorn set!
Ursa Major Candle: It’s an undeniable fact that candles are the perfect gift to give, especially in the winter when we could all use a little more coziness. With this 100% beeswax unscented candle you won’t have to worry about your recipient not liking the smell or look. These candles are made by a young local elementary school entrepreneur, so really how can you not buy one??
Fuller’s Pure Maple Dry Sugar: The great thing about this variation of the maple syrup gift is it works for locals and beyond. It’s pretty easy to pass off some local maple products to someone not from the area, but this really shows off the full scope of what maple can do. It’s a little cheaper than syrup, but it’s just as versatile.
Other options: Locally made dressing or marinade; Bulk Dill Cashews, Full Circle Reusable Lunch Set; Co-op reusable bag; local honey.

Under $25

3-pack of Bees Wrap: Reusable and sustainable packaging is becoming a huge trend now, and with that means the options are becoming more and more stylish! The original Bees Wrap products come in individual and multi packs in a variety of designs. You can certainly give a single wrap as a gift, but giving a 3-pack empowers your recipient to integrate it more into their life. No one likes to find out that their gift actually sits unused in a drawer. Pick a pattern they’ll love and you’re almost guaranteed that won’t happen to you!
A local bottle of wine: Our collection of local wines has grown tremendously over the past few years, and now you can satisfy and delight a person of any palette. Rossi Imports supplies us with wines from across the spectrum of light to dark. And the folks at Zorvino have crafted unique flavors like “Chocolate Raspberry” and “Peppermint Mocha” for the more adventurous. We even have Sap House Meadery bottles and cans for someone who’s “over the wine scene.” Sometimes the hardest part of gifting wine is remembering it’s about what they like, not you! But nothing says you can’t get a second bottle for yourself…
Co-op Merch: Who doesn’t love shopping at the Co-op? Let your friends and family bring a piece of the Co-op wherever they go with a Co-op branded t-shirt or hat. It really takes the pressure off remembering to say “I love the Co-op” every five minutes. It’s only a bonus that they’re so stylish.
Other options: Poinsettia or other plant; baking kit with King Arthur Flour, utensils, and fun mix-ins; a set of locally and fairly-sourced bath and beauty products.

Under $50

Liter of Mount Cabot Maple Organic Maple Syrup: We have an incredible array of maple syrup from local producers, but Mount Cabot packaging and design just screams “I am made to be a gift.” When you buy maple syrup from a local producer, you know you are getting a quality product. Mount Cabot specifically is organic, single-source, and woodfired. If you don’t speak maple, that means it’s really, really good: for you, for the environment, and for this women-owned business.
Primal Botanical CBD Rub: This local CBD company out of Vermont has great gift options for the person in your life who deserves a bit of extra pampering. Or honestly, the holidays can be so stressful, this might be one you’re allowed to keep for yourself.
Norpro Compost Keeper: Another great gift for your eco-conscious friend or the one who could use a little encouragement. This could have been seen as a burden, but now that the Co-op has a customer compost bin out front from Meadowstone Farm, composting has never been easier! And as the package itself says, it’s “attractive enough to sit on your kitchen countertop.”
Other options: Every candy option from the Bulk department.

Any budget

A Littleton Food Co-op Gift Card: Stuck on what to get someone? Don’t want to go through the mental energy of deciding what to get someone? A gift card fits everyone, appeals to every taste, and is the easiest thing to wrap — because you don’t have to. Order a gift card online here.

For more gift ideas–from very general to very specific (I mean, we’re talking “gift for your mail carrier who you have an oddly close relationship” specific)– check out our podcast, That’s Rad. Our 2021 Gift Guide has gift suggestions for those absolutely un-giftable people in your life, and our 2022 Sustainable Gift Guide is all about creating unique gifts from our very own Bulk Department. Check them out today, and let us know if you use any of these suggestions.

Whatever gifting direction you choose, all of us at the Littleton Food Co-op wish you a cheerful holiday and a happy New Year ♥

*Price categories reflective of time of writing and cannot be guaranteed.

An Ode to Rotisserie Chicken

June 7, 2023 By Littleton Food Co-op

By Annie Stuart, Co-op Foodie & Marketing Maven

Sometimes, I have no idea what’s for dinner. I’m sure many of you can relate! And even though it’s my job to write about food, I love to try new recipes, and I literally work in one of the best grocery co-ops in New England; I still have days where I’m feeling hangry and have no idea what to cook.

Enter the rotisserie chicken. In my opinion, it just might be the penultimate comfort food. It’s also highly versatile, and best of all, it’s so effortless. Our deli department regularly roasts high-quality whole chickens with crispy golden skin and just the right amount of seasoning. When I’m not in the mood to cook (surprisingly, not that often!) I like to grab a fresh roasted chicken on my way out the door, along with one of the pre-made salads in our fresh case. It’s a simple and healthy dinner, averting the worst cases of the hangries.

My favorite part, however, is the leftovers. I try to be mindful of food waste and use up every bit I can, especially when it comes to animal products. In my kitchen, the leftover chicken gets shredded up and regularly tossed into soups, curries, casseroles, stir fry, and of course, tacos. Sometimes I even roast the bones in the oven along with bits and pieces of leftover veggies, then put it all in a pot with some herbs to make a savory stock. The options are endless.

Rotisserie Chicken Day is Friday, June 2, so **@***********op.org“>please share your favorite, most lazy, utterly delicious ways to serve leftover chicken. If we get some fun ideas, we can share them to celebrate!

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