The North’s woods, waters, fields and orchards provide the inspiration and flavor for these simple seasonal appetizers. To gather your goods, bundle up in mittens and muffler for a tour of frosty byways and small towns that are starry with holiday lights.
Brie and Crabapple Jelly Tarts
Whitefish Cakes
Smoked Pork Loin with Peach Preserves, Roasted Yellow Peppers and Cream Cheese on Crackers
Wedge of Raclette Served with Spiced Walnuts and Pear Chips
Wild Game Sausage on Apple Slices with Cranberry Butter
Where to Find Local Ingredients
Crabapple Butter: American Spoon Foods, 888-735-6700.
Cranberry Butter: Centennial Cranberry Farm, 30957 W. Wildcat Rd., Paradise. 877-333-1822, centennialcranberry.com.
Elk and Venison Sausage: Bunting’s Cedar Market, 9054 Kasson, Cedar. 231-228-7460.
Maple-cured and Hickory-smoked Pork Loin: Spark’s Eatery, 4642 M-37, Mesick. 231-885-1675.
Michigan Maple Syrup: mi-maplesyrup.com.
Mild Raclette Cheese: Leelanau Cheese Company at Black Star Farms, 10844 E. Revold Rd., Suttons Bay. 231-271-2600.
Peach Jam: Cooper Family Jams, Manistee. Available at Crescent Bakery, Frankfort. 231-352-4611.
Pepper Parmesan Bread: Crooked Tree Breadworks, 2264 M-119, Petoskey. 888-591-8688.
Smoked Whitefish Fillets: Mackinac Straits Fish Company, 109 W. Elliot, St. Ignace. 888-333-1823