A few Saturdays ago, while visiting Cross Roads Station they were sampling New Canaan Farms products. I tried several of the jams, jellies, and condiments and found all of them delightful. I inquired about the product since I was unfamiliar with it and the store owner Steve told me it is a Texas-made product.

The fact that it was from Texas and that the flavor is excellent enticed Steve to carry a variety of the goods. New Canaan Farms comes from a town called Dripping Springs, Texas, which is outside of Austin in the Hill Country. The product started locally in 1979 and is now an internationally recognized brand offered in specialty stores. They have a reputation for creating both unique and traditional flavors making their products from scratch with basic ingredients, the kind you can recognize and pronounce.

I left with a jar of Pumpkin Butter, which embraces the flavor of fall. It reminds me of the inside of my mother’s pumpkin pie. It is creamy and light perfect for spreading on gram crackers. Another one of my favorites is the Sweet & Hot Jalapenos slices. They are unusual and delicious. You can kick traditional dishes such as potato salad up a notch by replacing the pickle relish with this condiment. They are also tasty straight out of the jar.

New Canaan Farms also offers sauces and salsas such as Hill Country Caviar, a relish made of black-eyed peas and a full-bodied Raspberry Chipotle Sauce both scrumptious over cream cheese. It is an easy dish to serve during gathering and it gets rave reviews. If there is someone, on your gift list this season who loves, products or foods with a Texas flare you need to visit Steve at Cross Roads Station and he will hook you up. While you are there, don’t forget to pick up some for yourself!