Take a Bite out of New Hampshire

When you meet the cows that help make your favorite ice cream flavor, it makes every lick of the cone all the more special. These days, people want to know where the products they consume come from. Luckily, in the Granite State, there are plenty of places to witness the making of wine, cheese and other foods – and then stock up before heading home.

Farmers Markets

Are you a Food Network junkie or a wannabe chef? Or maybe you just need a fresh apple pie to bring to the neighbors. Then New Hampshire ’s many farmers markets and roadside farm stands are just the ticket. Chat with the farmers and growers at the likes of Beans and Greens farm stand along Rte. 11B in Gilford (www.beansandgreensfarm.com) or Henniker Farmers Market (www.hennikerfarmersmarket.us) in scenic southwestern New Hampshire. For more farmers markets, visit www.nhfma.org.

Maple Syrup

Natural flavors keep flowing well after growing season thanks to New Hampshire ’s maple syrup producers. Each year, statewide, from mid-February through mid-April the sap runs rich enough to produce 90,000 gallons of syrup statewide. Many sugar houses are open to the public all season. During New Hampshire Maple Weekend every March, maple producers throughout the state hold festive open houses. Visitors are invited to sample products, learn how syrup is made, and even help gather sap. For details, call 603-225-3757 or go to www.nhmapleproducers.com.

Dairy Farms

“Mooving” from forest to field, fans of smooth and creamy needn’t look further than Londonderry ’s 100 percent organic Stonyfield Farm. What began in the early ’80s as an organic farming school (with just six cows) has evolved into a yogurt superpower. Visit the gift shop and tasting room, where every product, from yogurt to ice cream, is available for purchase at slightly reduced prices. The popular Yogurt Works factory tours are on hiatus until further notice due to construction. Go to www.stonyfield.com for updates.  

Here are some New Hampshire towns to hit to watch the goods being made:

Candia: Candia Vineyards winemaker Bob Dabrowski produces award-winning zinfandels and chardonnays, as well as more exotic Frontenac and Diamond vintages. 702 High St., 603-867-9751; www.candiavineyards.com

Canterbury: At Fox Country Smoke House, Matthew and Sarah Fox cure a variety of meats, including smoked ham, trout and duck. 164 Briar Bush Rd., 603-783-4405; www.foxcountrysmokehouse.com

Dorchester: The folks at D Acres Farm love to spread the word about organic agriculture and sustainable living. Tour the fields or take a composting workshop. 218 Streeter Woods Rd., 603-786-2366; www.dacres.org

Greenfield: At Winrose Farm, Bob and Ruth Jennings raise lambs and pigs without antibiotics or growth hormones. 103 Francestown Rd., 603-547-3390; www.winrosefarm.com

Lee: Flag Hill Winery makes wines in traditional vintages and blueberry, peach and raspberry flavors. Ask for a taste of Sugar Maple Liqueur, vodka infused with New Hampshire maple syrup. 297 N. River Rd., 603-659-2949; www.flaghill.com

Littleton: Watch millstones two feet in diameter grind wheat into flour at Littleton Grist Mill, which dates back to the 1800s. 18 Mill St., 603-444-7478; www.littletongristmill.com

North Sandwich: At the Sandwich Creamery, visit with the cows and then partake in their products: cheddar, brie, and Cow Tracks ice cream – vanilla with peanut butter cups and fudge chunks. 134 Hannah Rd., 603-284-6675; www.sandwichcreamery.com

Piermont: At Robie Farm, Lee and Betty Sue Robie sell eggs, sausage and beef direct to visitors. Try the heavenly raw milk. 25 Rte. 10; 603-272-4872

South Hampton: Winemaker Dr. Peter Oldak of Jewell Towne Vineyards pampers his grapes. Visit for a tour, wine tasting or a pruning demonstration. 65 Jewell St., 603-394-0600; www.jewelltownevineyards.com

Thornton: During sugaring season, Benton ’s Sugar Shack (only open on weekends) serves up pancakes topped off with maple syrup still hot from the evaporator. Route 175, 603-726-3867; www.nhmapleoutlet.com

Walpole: The motto at Boggy Meadow Farm? One visit with the cows will help their cheese – including baby Swiss and Jack – come to life for you. 13 Boggy Meadow Ln., 603-756-3300; www.boggymeadowfarm.com

Warner: At Yankee Farmer’s Market, see the buffalo roam the 16-acre farm run by Brian and Keira Farmer. 360 Rte. 103 E., 603-456-2833; http://yankeefarmersmarket.stores.yah... 

See What Else is Cooking in New Hampshire  

A doggie bag can be messy. Happily, there are other ways to take home some New Hampshire flavor. Check out the tasty nibbles created in the farms and kitchens of New Hampshire's specialty foods companies (see what’s cooking below.) For a full-fledged feast, attend a “Growers’ Dinner” at a local restaurant, where the entire menu features New Hampshire-grown-and-raised edibles. For a schedule, visit www.nhmade.com.  

My Grandmother’s Homemade Applesauce

Eat it: All-natural applesauce made from a 50-year-old family recipe; tastes like the gooey middle of an apple pie.
Buy it: Fiddlehead Marketplace, Dover; Robies Country Store, Hooksett; and other stores across New Hampshire.
Contact: 603-490-6372; www.grandmothersapplesauce.com.

Dippy Chick Company

Eat it: Plain old onion dip? Nah. How about Battlestar Garlic-tica or Kamikaze Wasabi? Christine Hanisco of Kingston sells 18 dip mix blends – all-veggie and gluten-free – made with radiation-free herbs and spices.
Buy it: Absolutely NH, Nashua; Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Keene; and other stores.
Contact: 603-686-5536; www.dippychick.com.

Two Sisters’ Garlic

Eat it: Sisters Naomi Scanlon and Abby Ladd sell fresh, raw garlic in seven varieties, and garlic jellies in flavors like rosemary-ginger. (Bring mints.)
Buy it: At their farm at 23 Clough Tavern Rd., Canterbury.
Contact: 603-783-4287; twosistersgarlic@hotmail.com.

Green Moose Garden

Eat it: These organic hot sauces are made without sugar, salt, or preservatives. Flavors include Kryptonite Bite Flaming Lime and Mango Habañero.
Buy it: Calef’s Country Store, Barrington.  
Contact: 603-642-5377; www.greenmoosegarden.com.

White Mountain Kettle Corn

Eat it: Slightly sweet, perfectly salty – no wonder this retro treat, popped in a big, black kettle, was named “best popcorn in the state.”  
Buy it: Grant’s Market, North Conway; Hannaford, New London; other stores.
Contact: 603-428-7676; www.WhiteMountainKettleCorn.com.