Taste of Italy
We loved Chicago-based Isola Imports’ preserves from Italy’s Abruzzo region. Our favorite was the tart-sweet Sicilian orange with liqueur, but wild berry with liqueur and strawberry balsamic also had their fans. Each 12.35-ounce jar costs $4.60-$6 at The Chalet Wine and Cheese, Valli Produce in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg and Schaefer’s in Skokie (strawberry only); by mail, go online to isolaimports.com.
Seasonal scoops
Edy’s Slow Churned Light limited-edition peppermint- and eggnog-flavored ice cream arrive in time for the holidays. The texture is ultra-creamy, the flavors are rich and the fact that they’re low in calories and fat (110 calories and 3 to 3 1/2 grams per 1/2 cup) is a bonus. We preferred the peppermint’s authentic flavor and finely chopped candy bits, but the eggnog was fine too. Each 56-ounce tub costs $5.70-$6 at Cub Foods and Treasure Island; Meijer sells a 1.75-quart container for $3.60.
Frosty alert
This snowman cake pan from NordicWare will produce a charming dessert for holiday tables. The one-piece, 10-cup capacity pan is nonstick cast aluminum (hand wash only). Bake the cake in the halves, then press together with icing and stand Mr. Snowman up. (Or just bake the front half and display him on a platter.) The pan comes with decorating ideas but no baking directions. We used a sturdy bundt-cake recipe. The pan is $35 at Williams-Sonoma stores or by mail (800-541-2233 or williams-sonoma.com).
