Top Ten Indiana Food Finds of 2007

Originally published in well-chilled newspapers on December 27, 2007

You’re probably seeing lots of lists recapping the year - best films, top ten news stories, etc. For the previous two years I have followed suit in this column. In 2007, I spent many weekends traveling Indiana searching out the best of what our state had to offer - food that grows out of our rich soils or produced my Hoosier hands. I was amazed at our bounty. It is these wonderful foods that will make up my top ten list for 2007. Many of these items are available via mail. If they are not, they are certainly worth a visit as you make your way across our great state. So, in no particular order, here are the Hungry Hoosier Top 10 Food Finds for 2007.

Honey Wine: New Day Meadery, Elwood
Next to water, mead is the most ancient of all beverages and Tia Agnew and Brett Canaday are master mead makers. Made from Indiana honey and fruits, New Day makes several varietals - from sweet to dry. Mead is delicious to sip by itself of pairs very nicely with many foods. Learn more at www.newdaymeadery.com.

Local Beef Burgers: Mr. Happy Burger, Logansport
In the foodie world, “locally grown” may be all the rage but Bob Shanks is no band wagon jumper. Shanks has been making Mr. Happy burgers from Cass County beef for over 45 years. There are two locations in Logansport. Call 574-753-6418 for more information.

Sweet Corn: My Dad’s Sweet Corn, Tipton
Here in the Midwest we grown lots of corn but we can eat very little of it because it is intended for animal feed and processing. That’s why I love My Dad’s Sweet Corn. They sell one thing - sweet corn. Although located in Tipton, they sell at lots of places in the Indianapolis area (during the season, of course). More information is available at www.mydadssweetcorn.com.

Mushrooms: Homestead Growers, Sheridan
Steve Spencer sells mushroom but not the kind that can get you locked up. He grows shiitake, oyster, crimini, and portabella. Even when it is not mushroom season you can get pasta sauce, ravioli, veggie patties  - all featuring his delicious mushrooms. More information is available at www.homestead-growers.com.

Salad Greens: Seldom Seen Farm, Danville
Thanks to greenhouses and all sorts of know-how, John Feree manages to keep salad greens growing year round. He supplies area restaurants and is a permanent fixture at the Traders Point Winter Market in Zionsville. A salad of locally-grown greens in the middle of winter is great thing. More information is available at www.seldomseenfarm.com.

Popcorn: Not Just Popcorn, Edinburgh
Carol Buck starts with corn grown just down the street by a neighboring farmer. She then goes to work making 250 or more flavors of popped corn - watermelon, bubble gum, a surprisingly delicious dill pickle flavor. Her products are available by mail or in her shop. Check out www.notjustpopcorn.com for more information.

Asparagus: Melon Acres, Oaktown
Mail-order local asparagus for the Easter or Passover table? You bet. Melon Acres, as you might imagine, also sells melons but they are making quite a name for themselves in the asparagus business. You can also buy their asparagus on the farm. More information is available at www.melonacres.com.

Spring Water: Walnut Grove Spring Water, Bloomfield
Duane Smith has tapped one of Indiana’s very last natural springs where the water is still fit too drink. His boutique spring water is showing up on the menus of some of Indiana’s best restaurants and at a growing number of retailers. It can also be ordered online. This would be a lovely extra Hoosier touch for a dinner party - pure spring water from a local source. More information is available at www.walnutgrovespring.com.

Potato Chips: Bettinger Potato Chips, Tell City
We may not be Idaho but we can grown potatoes in Indiana and James and Joann Simpson are making chips out of them. These chips are kettle-cooked and are available in plain, BBQ, and sour cream and onion. Tours are available and the chips can be mail ordered. More information is available at www.bettingerchips.com.

Caviar: Collins Caviar, Michigan City
You could certainly surprise your dinner guests by telling them the caviar topping their toast point is perhaps America’s finest fresh water caviar and that it comes from right here in Indiana. Rachel Collins gets salmon and other fish from way up in Lake Michigan, extracts the roe and creates delectable caviar. Her products are available online at www.collinscaviar.com.