334470 Mon Oct 16 14:58:07 -0700 2006 70 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1948580 Grocery store, restaurant, catalog--what do you scoop up when it's offered only as a "limited edition"? I like the peppermint bark and the (forgive me, coffee purists) pumpkin spice coffee beans as a novelty. It ticks me off that peppermint items are so hard to find the rest of the year! Mint is so refreshing at all times of the year! Mon Oct 16 14:58:07 -0700 2006 11234 toodie jane 1 1948589 For me it's pumpkin stuff...ice cream, beer, cookies, cakes and pies. I'm a pumpkin freak and unfortunately the only one in the house. Other things would be Reese pumpkins and (in the spring) eggs...for me they are so much better than the traditional peanut butter cup. Mon Oct 16 15:01:01 -0700 2006 1948580 11990 Janet from Richmond 2 1948661 The eggs are so much better than anything, for some reason! I think the eggs are better than the pumpkins and the Christmas trees! Mon Oct 16 15:31:28 -0700 2006 1948589 12813 Katie Nell 3 1949729 All of the Reese's Peanut Butter specialities seem to have a higher peanut butter to chocolate ratio. That makes them SOOOOO good! I like the Christmas trees best. I can get three bites from one tree. Mon Oct 16 20:59:49 -0700 2006 1948661 13816 Sister Sue 4 1951397 Those are so good! I can't buy them or I'd eat the whole six pack. Tue Oct 17 14:09:52 -0700 2006 1949729 39874 chowser 5 1951428 I only buy them one at a time also, and only the holiday ones (but every season they have them). They are SO much better than the cups. Tue Oct 17 14:22:55 -0700 2006 1951397 19819 kloomis 6 1952680 You know, most stores mark them down after the holidays. And, they do freeze well. You can spread that deliciousness out for a few weeks! Tue Oct 17 20:19:00 -0700 2006 1951428 13816 Sister Sue 7 1952762 My friends thought it was a sweet gesture to give me 6 six-packs of the valentine ones. I tried freezing them but, like girl scout thin mints, they taste pretty good frozen! Tue Oct 17 20:40:44 -0700 2006 1952680 39874 chowser 1 1948601 "La Columba" dove-shaped Italian bread at Eastertime and the special panetonne-type breads that come boxed for Christmas. Not only are these baked goods wonderful to eat, they make very good inexpensive gifts. Mon Oct 16 15:07:40 -0700 2006 1948580 28950 Abbeshay 1 1948606 Where do you get pumpkin spice coffee beans? Mon Oct 16 15:08:46 -0700 2006 1948580 23415 pescatarian 2 1956627 I just saw an ad for Millstone, I don't drink coffee so have no idea how their beans are, but they have pumpkin spice, and a peppermint that I just can't seem to think would be good as a coffee. They also showed a gingerbread flavor, but I don't see that on their website. However, as mentioned,, I don't drink coffee so what do I know. http://www.millstone.com/ Thu Oct 19 03:26:10 -0700 2006 1948606 14620 hummingbird 1 1948674 Gravenstein apples -- only really good for 2-3 weeks in September, so I eat all I can, make lots of applesauce -- and then remember..... Mon Oct 16 15:35:33 -0700 2006 1948580 29619 mwright 1 1948713 Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar Mon Oct 16 15:51:53 -0700 2006 1948580 30158 amkirkland 2 1948739 Starbucks Gingerbread Biscotti :-) Mon Oct 16 15:57:14 -0700 2006 1948713 12099 sivyaleah 3 1952624 I love their Gingerbread Loaf with creamcheese frosting. That frosting and candied orange are soo good! Tue Oct 17 20:00:37 -0700 2006 1948739 12766 welle 4 1952941 I totally forgot about those! Thanks for reminding me, pretty darn yummy too, but a lot more calories than the biscotti. I used to try and only eat 1/2 at a time, and save the other piece for the next day. Tue Oct 17 21:25:15 -0700 2006 1952624 12099 sivyaleah 2 1948756 Love the Cranberry Bliss Bar. When I worked at Starbucks I would get a discount on food items and I just loaded up on those. Very bad for the waistline :-) Mon Oct 16 16:02:11 -0700 2006 1948713 46458 empecot 3 1948793 I must admit, as anti-chain as i am, the entire mood, seasonal pastires, crappy collectibles and egg nog lattes, at Starbucks during Christmastime is addictive to me. Mon Oct 16 16:12:26 -0700 2006 1948756 30158 amkirkland 2 1950320 I love the Bliss bars! I can't wait until they're here again. I buy them by the tray. Ever tried freezing them? I wonder how they'd holdup... Tue Oct 17 00:26:56 -0700 2006 1948713 12268 mollyomormon 3 1950543 Buy a vacuum sealer and do it. That's one of the best things I've ever purchased. Tue Oct 17 01:36:12 -0700 2006 1950320 30158 amkirkland 1 1949169 I normally hate Starbucks coffee beans, as I think they're over-roasted, but I love the Gazebo blend, I usually only see it in springtime, so I snatch that up and toss it in the freezer. (Darn I need a bigger freezer. . .) Mon Oct 16 18:17:22 -0700 2006 1948580 12858 Covert Ops 1 1949178 Tim Horton's pumkin doughnuts are delicious! They're only available in October :( Mon Oct 16 18:19:01 -0700 2006 1948580 20128 morebubbles 1 1949210 We give our dogs a little Libby's canned pumpkin in their kibble every night, so we use a lot of that stuff. BJ's Wholesale Club carries it in four-packs that are much cheaper than what you pay by the can at the supermarket, but only for a few months, so I have to shlep tons of it home when I see it there. Dittos on the peppermint bark. We used to get it at Williams-Sonoma, but now you can get it at the supermarket (one brand I know of is Harry London Candies from Ohio) for about half the price of W-S and it certainly is close enough in taste. Mon Oct 16 18:26:23 -0700 2006 1948580 12829 Bob W 1 1949212 ....and I have to add Cadbury's Easter time mini eggs--oh, gawd! Mon Oct 16 18:26:45 -0700 2006 1948580 11234 toodie jane 2 1950683 These are the best things! Also those mini robins eggs malted milk ball things. Tue Oct 17 02:35:26 -0700 2006 1949212 11780 kim shook 1 1949217 I love the Godiva "G" chocolates that are available only at certain times. I also love marshmallow Peeps--now why can't Peeps be available year round? Mon Oct 16 18:28:20 -0700 2006 1948580 12019 ellenost 2 1949279 Peeps are available all year round by me. They make they for just about every holiday these days and since there is a holiday every month - well, seems like my supermarket always has them in stock. Mon Oct 16 18:44:42 -0700 2006 1949217 12099 sivyaleah 2 1949308 That's my favorite--peeps and Cadbury Easter Eggs--but not the minis--the full size with the yolk and egg white colored center. Also, clementines in December (best time to get them inexpensively in NYC). Mon Oct 16 18:50:44 -0700 2006 1949217 10771 eve 2 1949545 the only use I have for peeps is the microwave. Ever tried it? well put it on a paper plate. Mon Oct 16 20:05:06 -0700 2006 1949217 30158 amkirkland 3 1959763 Peep jousting!!! In the microwave!! It's the only thing those awful items are good for. Place two peeps on a paper plate and stick a toothpick into each one. Turn on the microwave, and whichever peep pierces the other first is a winner! Fri Oct 20 12:57:57 -0700 2006 1949545 14083 cooknKate 1 1949306 Not quite limited edition - but I find cranberries hard to find except during the run up to T-day/Christmas - so I stock up then and freeze. Mon Oct 16 18:49:55 -0700 2006 1948580 10985 MMRuth 2 1950126 I totally agree. Every year I wish I'd stocked up on more than I did. Mon Oct 16 23:24:11 -0700 2006 1949306 12099 sivyaleah 1 1949555 Macoun Apples! They have a very short season but they are soooooooooooo delicious. Just the right amount of tartness. They are the first of the season and then they are gone. Just had one- yum! Mon Oct 16 20:06:51 -0700 2006 1948580 15910 debmom 1 1949585 Pumpkin ice cream from Double Rainbow! Or Baskin-Robbins, just as long as it's pumpkin spice (and seasonal fruits and veg on a list that is too long and too obvious to make) Mon Oct 16 20:17:45 -0700 2006 1948580 11989 pitu 1 1949716 I too am a sucker for anything in the season of the holidays; be it pumpkin scones or pumpkin-spiced latte or the cranberry bliss bar at Starbucks, gingerbread muffins, rum raisin ice cream-you name it. I just had pumpkin ice cream over the weekend and it was just as fabulous as I remember it from last year. To keep it from going straight to my waistline, I try to limit my indulgences to once/season only as I know it won't taste any better or different the second, third, fourth, etc. time I tried it. Mon Oct 16 20:56:11 -0700 2006 1948580 33941 rosielucchesini 1 1949730 Gingerbread latte from Starbucks, Cadbury cream eggs and mini eggs, Reese's pieces eggs (the perfect size IMO) peppermint bark, rgg nog and candy corn. I just got Peppermint Truffle Coffee from Harry & David and cannot wait to try it. They have a chocolate candy cane cheesecake this year too. Mon Oct 16 21:00:24 -0700 2006 1948580 13218 KitchenAid 1 1950224 dryer's thin mint or samoa girl scout cookie ice cream! Mon Oct 16 23:55:23 -0700 2006 1948580 12336 artemis 2 1951299 It's that time of the year--had my first Brownie sell me cookies. I put in for Samoas (btw-Girl Scouts changed the name to DeLites I think) and Mints. Also the gooey Peanut Butter ones too. Can't wait till they arrive. Tue Oct 17 13:18:04 -0700 2006 1950224 10771 eve 1 1950267 McRib? Tue Oct 17 00:11:05 -0700 2006 1948580 10784 Scrapironchef 1 1950307 I wish I could find candy hearts throughout the year to give as gifts...why should Valentine's Day have all the fun ;0 ) Tue Oct 17 00:22:07 -0700 2006 1948580 36312 HillJ 2 1950548 Get some of those Necco Candy Wafers and cut them up with a dremel... maybe not worth it, but you'd get custom messages. Tue Oct 17 01:37:36 -0700 2006 1950307 30158 amkirkland 3 1950656 amkirkland, if you knew me, you'd know I'm forbidden from using ANY power tool :) Tue Oct 17 02:23:09 -0700 2006 1950548 36312 HillJ 2 1951767 Ask, and ye shall receive..... http://www.candydirect.com/search.php?keywords=conversation Tue Oct 17 16:25:30 -0700 2006 1950307 10532 LindaWhit 3 1953076 Thanks LindaWhit, I appreciate the link! Tue Oct 17 22:02:07 -0700 2006 1951767 36312 HillJ 1 1950314 pumkin cheescake, shakes, anything at burgerville, the caramel apple yogurt from lucerne Tue Oct 17 00:24:03 -0700 2006 1948580 29490 shanda013 1 1950323 Chinese good fortune candies during the Lunar New Year (yes, yes, I know they are available year-round, but they're ARE easier to find during the holidays). Tue Oct 17 00:28:29 -0700 2006 1948580 11583 ipsedixit 1 1950587 Anything pumpkin or chestnut (especially ice cream or gelato). Ossi dei morti - the "bones of the dead" cookies that are made only for Nov. 1. Mooncakes. Tue Oct 17 01:56:03 -0700 2006 1948580 10681 piccola 1 1950813 Some of my favourites: Zeppole de San Giuseppe -- I tend to get them with a ricotta filling and amarena cherries Mooncakes -- generally prefer a Teochew style moonckae that has a flakey pastry shell, shaped like a giant pebble. A raw fish salad - typical Chinese New Year dish back home in Singapore. Slices of raw fish with a multicoloured melange of vegetables, peanuts, sweet and sour dressing. Hard to do justice in words. Tue Oct 17 03:37:50 -0700 2006 1948580 10076 limster 2 1951403 I love those mooncakes with the flaky shell! The dark insides (red beans?), not the lighter ones. Tue Oct 17 14:11:23 -0700 2006 1950813 39874 chowser 2 1956059 Oh yeah, I love those St. Joseph Day's zeppole, though I only learned about them two years ago ... I'm hooked. If you ever get back to SF you have to try Victoria Bakery's zeppole. I love all seasonal food. They don't do it so much anymore, but cherry pie on Washington's birthday. Shamrock Shakes for St. Pat' day. Hot cross buns during Lent and Easter breads. It broke my heart, but last year I grew out of Cadbury Easter Eggs. Just too sweet. I'm into anything pumpkin now. Next it will be anything gingerbread. LOVE buche de noel and dark fruit cake ... not the one with the icky glowing colored fruit. Pannetoni. Eggnog, though I limit myself to one glass a year these days. Little Halloween candies, even though most of this stuff you can buy the rest of the year. I like Safeway's seasonal yogurts like pumpkin and gingerbread ... ok, I haven't tried the gingerbread this year yet. It is still in the fridge waiting to be opened. They don't seem to make them anymore, but Stella Dora made these great soft biscotti with candied fruit at Christmas. Everyone I ever shared these with liked them. I like Hostess snowballs in holiday colors - orange at Halloween, Green at St. Patrick's Day, pastel at Easter. They taste better with the dye in them. Actually Starbucks has a decent pumpkin latte this year. Last year, not so much. All the seasonal fruit and veggies starting with asparagus and strawberries in the spring to persimmons and pomegranites at the end of the harvest. Wed Oct 18 23:18:20 -0700 2006 1950813 10264 rworange 1 1951380 Pumpkin fudge, peppermint ice cream. My husband is a fool for candied apples. Tue Oct 17 14:01:17 -0700 2006 1948580 29820 SweetPea 1 1951765 *Rogue River blue cheese *Satsuma mandarins *Romegröt *Heirloom tomatoes Tue Oct 17 16:24:55 -0700 2006 1948580 41708 Mill City Modern 1 1951815 Jack in the Box Pumpkin Shakes! Tue Oct 17 16:38:55 -0700 2006 1948580 17232 msmd310 2 1951843 OOh- the McDonalds eggnog shakes are soo good too. but watch out- I think they are about 800 calories for a small. I also seem to only find chocolate wafer cookies (to make a whipped cream chocolate log cake) at holiday times. Tue Oct 17 16:44:06 -0700 2006 1951815 19819 kloomis 1 1951888 President's Choice Candy Cane Crackle Ice Cream. Tue Oct 17 16:54:18 -0700 2006 1948580 28928 cloverkill 1 1952349 Hands down: Shamrock Shake. Tue Oct 17 18:48:08 -0700 2006 1948580 39577 nicoleberry83 2 1959853 Shamrock Shake + Jamesons = A Fun St. Patty's Day Fri Oct 20 13:50:38 -0700 2006 1952349 16399 Biggie 1 1952894 lol. i agree, especially the pumpkin-flavored products! h/w i have to say that i'm glad that these things are only available seasonaly and for limited times. that makes them all the more special! i really believe that if you could get pumpkin spice lattes year 'round they'd lose their luster. they'd be just like any other regularly available latte! being an east coast transplant (to norcal), i'm also greatful for these small reminders of the changing of seasons. don't think i'll ever get use to perma-fall, and fall's my fave season! <sigh> Tue Oct 17 21:16:40 -0700 2006 1948580 13796 stuckinschool 1 1953656 Pumpkin beer Wed Oct 18 01:41:00 -0700 2006 1948580 30158 amkirkland 1 1953674 Mallomars. I'm so glad they are back! They are only available in the cooler months. Wed Oct 18 01:50:00 -0700 2006 1948580 23675 phofiend 1 1954058 Ben and Jerry's American Pie ice cream (that used to be Apple Crumble before it was retired). Williams-Sonoma pumpkin bread mix. Starbucks' Maple Streusel muffins, though I hate all their other stuff, except for the Tazo Tea and Classic Crumble Cake. I just discovered TJ's Pumpkin butter, so I don't know if it's seasonal or available year-round... anyone know if this is seasonal or not?? Wed Oct 18 06:11:42 -0700 2006 1948580 15572 Emme 2 1956013 TJs Pumpkin Butter is definitely seasonal. If you like it, stock up NOW! If the supply is similar to past years they will run out long before Thanksgiving! Wed Oct 18 23:01:06 -0700 2006 1954058 11195 LAWoman 1 1955003 TJ's cranberry mustard. Actually I don't know if they still carry it, but I've liked it in the past. Starbucks' peppermint mochas ... yum. I've usually had my fill of that flavor by the time the season is over, so it works out pretty well. Wed Oct 18 17:45:50 -0700 2006 1948580 10666 Chocolatechipkt 1 1956248 Heirloom tomatoes and here in SF - dungeness crabs. Thu Oct 19 00:34:51 -0700 2006 1948580 23824 niki rothman 1 1956301 My family goes gaga over TJ's pfefernusse (sp?). I'm a mallomar devotee. Thu Oct 19 00:57:49 -0700 2006 1948580 11146 EllenMM 1 1956505 tj's cranberry chutney. they only have it for the holidays. i use it in a chicken-pecan pate. forgot to stock up last year; have to remember this year. also, pizzagaina at la contessa in somerville ma for easter. home made peach ice cream in the summer; not worth making without ripe peaches in season. that's it -- for now:) Thu Oct 19 02:19:01 -0700 2006 1948580 11324 wonderwoman 1 1956541 Seasonal Christmas stuff in the South includes both eggnog and boiled custard (near as dammit alike to my taste, both dandy with a splash of Jack Daniel's or something) and the very regional Spiced Round, a larded and seasoned round of beef. That's also the only time of year when you can reliably find geese and capons in the supermarkets, though only frozen. The only predictable seasonal offerings I've found in our corner of LA County is Fosselman's ice cream flavors: green mint for St. Patrick's day, pumpkin (an excellent version!) for the Fall...can't remember what other flavors come and go with the seasons, but they're all good. Thu Oct 19 02:38:15 -0700 2006 1948580 11478 Will Owen 1 1957284 Here in Southern Connecticut the one seasonal item I cant do without are Apple Cider Doughnuts from Blue Jays'.....they're soooooo goooood. Thu Oct 19 14:29:27 -0700 2006 1948580 47575 FAB 2 1959422 Mmm, apple cider doughnuts. I'm not a fan of regular doughnuts, but these are so good! I miss them. Fri Oct 20 04:22:12 -0700 2006 1957284 10666 Chocolatechipkt 1 1959771 Caribou has a seasonal coffee bean at Christmas time called Reindeer blend. We like to get it because we know it's roasted fresh. Last year we received as a gift a year's worth of free coffee from Caribou, and we save them until Christmas for this blend. Fri Oct 20 13:01:45 -0700 2006 1948580 14083 cooknKate 1 1959857 Fiddlehead season always seems short - do they even sell these outside of the Northeast? Fri Oct 20 13:51:50 -0700 2006 1948580 16399 Biggie