Have you ever had moose meat? Growing up in Southeast Alaska it was our meat of choice. Beef was rare. Moose could be ground into burger, cut into steaks or sent out to a processor to have it made into breakfast sausages, summer sausages, pepperoni sticks, you name it. The meat from one moose foraged by my dad or brother would fill our deep freezer for the whole year with plenty to share with family and friends.
Living away from Alaska for the past many years now, I rarely get to enjoy moose meat. When my mom gifted my sister Mary with some moose sausage recently while visiting Sitka, I was reminded of the significance of giving of food, not only in our family but in our culture as a whole. Not surprisingly, my sister then shared it by creating a beautiful birthday meal for a dear friend. Check out her delicious gift - Squash Gnocchi with Moose Sausage Alfredo.
Though I don’t have moose to share, 'tis the season and I am eager to share what I am making from my kitchen. My kids and I spent hours baking, dipping and drizzling our homemade gingersnaps to give to teachers, friends and neighbors. My family loves the spicy peppery flavors of gingersnaps balanced out with a good dunk and drizzle of white chocolate... and of course sprinkles, tons of them. This year I added chewy ginger bits to our favorite recipe. Talk about next level spice and texture!
When my oldest daughter comes home next week for Christmas we will be in the kitchen making her favorite childhood Christmas treat - chocolate peanut butter balls. We at Forest Fresh Alaska hope you are inspired to spend the holidays joyfully giving beautiful gifts of food that nourish the hearts and souls of those you love, bringing the taste of Christmas, whatever that is to you and yours!
