Our friend Evan Smith, from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Foods, gives us his five favorite local Northern Michigan jams and salsas and tells us how he preps them. Just like magic, add these simple Northern Michigan local foods to any dish for a simple and delicious transformation.
Food For Thought Strawberry Basil Preserve
Serve with whole wheat toast and Michigan Amish salted butter. foodforthought.net
Benjamin Twiggs Black Bean and Corn Salsa
A no-brainer … add Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. tortilla chips. benjamintwiggs.com

Cherry Hut 
Boysenberry Jam
Combine with balsamic reduction to make a glaze for duck breasts. cherryhutstore.com
American Spoon Foods Wild
 Thimbleberry Jam
Serve Thimbleberry Jam on crostini with Idyll Farms chèvre. spoon.com
Friske Orchards Balaton Cherry Rhubarb Jam
Combine with a bit
of water in a saucepan to make a warm sauce for Shetler’s vanilla
ice cream. friske.com
Get more on jarred foods:
Local, Jarred Northern Michigan Foods For the Holidays
Laurie’s Northern Michigan Jarred Food Faves
Ken’s Northern Michigan Jarred Food Faves
8 Jarred Food Appetizer Recipes