$20 San Diego/SoCal food parcel

[Rodzilla]

I took part in a regional food exchange. The limit is $20 worth of items, and won't require a lot of additional cost to ship. I was paired with someone in Norfolk Virginia.

[Rodzilla]

Okay so here is what I ended up sending, not incredibly exciting but keep in mind the limitations of shipping cross country. I hope she likes it.

5x mini honey bear sampler from Mikolich Honey
Avocado, Buckwheat+Sage, Wildflower, Fall Harvest, Orange Blossom
2x Reed Avocado's
2x Persimmon

[pickypicky]

nobody doesn't like a honey bear and those sound amazing.

[Idyllwild]

Fresh macadamia nuts. I saw them at the farmers' market at the San Diego Public Market last Wednesday. Reed avocados are tasty and rarely seen outside San Diego county. Guavas, although I'm not sure if they will be overripe when they arrive. Persimmons and pomegranates should ship well. Asian pears, dragon fruit, citron (Buddha hand lemon), Meyer lemon, sapote, passionfruit.
Nopales or prickly pear would be great, but I haven't seen either one lately.

[Rodzilla]

ohhh good thoughts. I didn't even think about the fruit shop. I could get some exotic things that she likely hasn't seen.

[pickypicky]

Today at the PB market two dif vendors had sun-dried organic raisins made from their own grapes. WOW. Pretty amazing-- I'd never had a raisin like that before. Big and almost wine-y. That's not exotic but it's pretty darn Californian.

[Stiflers_Mom]

I would be interested in hearing what you receive from Norfolk, Va. when the deal is done.

I would venture Old Bay seasoning, something crabcakey, oysters, or maybe even a vinegar-based bbq sauce due to Norfolk's proximity to North Carolina.

[Rodzilla]

I was thinking crabcakey and peanuts - it will be several weeks, but I'll let everyone know. For now..still open to ideas :D

[RhonelyInsanediego]

I'm curious . . . So what did you put in your basket?

[Rodzilla]

haven't made it yet...I'm thinking huitlacoche to start though

[DiningDiva]

Why? It's not particularly representative of SD. It's an incidental by-product of the SD ag production and so few restaurants offer it on there menu.

[pickypicky]

Of course, this is your package, but I agree with DD. Stone Beer mustard and a loaf of Bread & Cie's Lemon Pugliese. Or a crate of avos.

Is a recipe part of the deal? I'd love to know more about this exchange. It sounds fun.

[RhonelyInsanediego]

Besides which, whomever opens that box will believe that they have received something that has spoiled and gone terribly wrong ;-)

[Rodzilla]

I still feel it's somewhat representative, and I doubt she has access in VA..

[RhonelyInsanediego]

Too bad you can't ship some of our local uni. It's considered among the best in the world.

Also local favorite, Kennedy's Karne, sells award winning Carne Asada. In fact they claim they have won the national Carne Asada cook off a record 16 times!

[DiningDiva]

That's not a bad idea...a pound of carne asada, a dozen tortillas, a few avocados from Fallbrook, and some pico de gallo (Maria's is produced locally, or one from a farmers market)...all packed on dry ice along with a recipe on how to make Carne Asada Burritos, the ubiquitous San Diego dish.

Shipping would probably end up costing more than the alloted $20 for the box contents tho' :-)

[JRSD]

make sure to throw in a potato so they can make a California Burrito

[RhonelyInsanediego]

Just some soggy disgusting fries will do.

[pickypicky]

yum. send one to me, too. Local fresh corn tortillas (nothing but the lime, corn) are a great idea and the carne asada.

[ipsedixit]

If dry ice is an option, wouldn't that put uni into play?

[RhonelyInsanediego]

I guess uni could be frozen and sent. Probably best to flash freeze and then send with dry ice. I could probably help with this as I have access to an endless supply of liquid N2 and liquid CO2. Plus I have good connections with Catalina OP. If anybody would know how to best process and ship uni, Catalina OP would.

[shouzen]

Dry ice shipping is ridiculously expensive - would be way over budget

[RhonelyInsanediego]

Why is it ridiculously expensive ? I do it all the time.

[shouzen]

And how much do you pay for shipping?

[Rodzilla]

agreed. I'll look into Kennedy's perhaps I can send directly from them.

[phee]

A couple of avocados, dried chiles, and a chocolate bar from either Chuao or Eclipse. Personally, I like Eclipse, and they make small $3 bars.

[RhonelyInsanediego]

Avocados. I believe more are still grown in this area than just about any other area of the country.

[RhonelyInsanediego]

Recommend you try the farmers markets for a few of the less well known and exported varieties such as Nabal, Jalna, Itzamna, Dickenson, Zutano, Bacon, or even Fuerte.

[pickypicky]

Malarkey Wine? (just kidding)

[Rodzilla]

Thanks everyone,

RE: Chauo, perhaps I'm the minority but I don't really see them as special to SoCal...while I'm sure the chocolates are quality, you can find them in Walmarts nationwide. I'd much sooner go with Eclipse.

The mention of stones mustard made me remember the SoNo mustard company. They're SD locals and I've really enjoyed their stuff.

Honey is a good call, and I would do the Jams but she specifically asked for no jelly/jam

Keep them coming!

[maestra]

San Diego avocado honey was a revelation to me, so I agree that would be a great item to include. I've had it from several producers, and when it's on, it's on: rich and dark with a deep caramel flavor. A buckwheat/avocado blend was another fave. Ask for a taste at your farmers' market and see if you think it's good enough to gift.

[Rodzilla]

i've liked what I've had from Mikolich Honey, I could definitely include a few of there small bear sizes.

[aloha925]

+ 1 on Chuao. The Firecracker bar is fun and something different. I took an assortment of bars to some chocolate addict friends in Chicago and they loved them. I believe Chuao has some new flavors launching for its 10th anniversary this fall, but not sure when that is.

I'll also suggest Jackie's Jams. Tasty stuff.

[pickypicky]

Jar of Chrystal's Raw Honey . 12 or more different honeys to choose from including Strawberry, Avocado, Sage, various citruses. These are not flavored-added. The bees are exposed to those distinct pollens. Dale and Chrystal are at 3 area farmer's markets. They also sell little taste sticks of all flavors. Amazing San Diego county product.

You can read more here: http://www.examiner.com/review/organi...

[Katherine H]

I've gifted Chuao hot chocolate to out-of-town friends, and it's been well-received. I love the Spicy Maya and generally go for that, but some of the other flavors look good, too.

[JRSD]

Since SD's best consumable products are beer and uni and you may not want to ship those, perhaps Ballast Point's Bloody Mary mix or Stone's sauces/mustard?