If you are hosting Christmas this year, or simply asked to bring something along there is no shortage of classic Christmas produce available right across the region. So if you are looking for inspiration, your xmas day could look a little something like this:
1. First up.. coffee. To gear you up for a big day, or perhaps you need a little kick start after a bit too much xmas eve cheer, Infuse Coffee Roasters have you covered. Located in Burnie in an original workers cottage built in 1900, they have anything and everything coffee related you could possibly need. From accessories and tools, to reusable pods and beans of course. Pop in and pick up a bag of their Christmas Blend – “Nutty with almond and walnut flavours, stone fruit (orange and peach) acidity and a chocolate and caramel finish”, and have it ground to your preference.
2. There is no better crowd pleaser than a good cheese platter and La Cantara make some of the best Tasmanian cheese going around. Located In the very heart of the dairy region of the state in Smithton, they operate a state of- the-art 75 cow robotic dairy, and take great pride in utilising sustainable farming practices focused on animal welfare. Made with 100% Tasmanian milk, La Cantara make a variety of Artisan Venezuelan and European Style Cheese. Try the ‘Fluffy Cow’ for that soft, rich and creamy style or the ‘Tom al Vino’ which is a goat’s milk cheese soaked and washed with red wine throughout the ageing process. There are a range of stockist across the North West, or you can also purchase online.
3. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a seafood spread, and for the absolute best and freshest seafood this year, why would you shop anything other than local. Tarkine Fresh Oysters in Smithton have been growing and selling premium oysters for over 40 years. And to make things even simpler, they offer a range of baked flavours that all you need to do is cook at home! Choose from Kilpatrick; Bacon, Onion, BBQ sauce & Worcestershire Sauce, Rocky Point: Sour Cream mixed with lemon & cheese, with a garlic crumb or Mornay: Home-made mornay sauce, topped with grated tasty cheese. Get your Christmas orders in now!
4. Now if you’re looking to do a full on cold seafood spread, you’ll need prawns to add to your oysters! Or maybe you want fish on the menu too? Peter & Una have the absolute best range of fresh and locally harvested Tasmanian seafood to choose from. One of Tasmania’s most loved and recognised brands of Tasmanian seafood for 70 years, @petaandunaseafoods have everything you need. Want fresh market produce, there’s so much to choose from. Or if you want to take the stress out of things then check out their amazing platters too. Need inspiration, well their website has you covered with a range of recipes direct from their chef’s!
5. Why stop at oysters and prawns, when you can throw some smoked salmon into the mix! The Atlantic Salmon grown in the fresh waters of the Western Creek by 41 South, is all harvested by hand and processed on site. Their farm uses a wetland as a natural biofilter for the fish waste so any waste that the fish produce is taken in by the native flora and helps the beautiful wetlands thrive leaving no negative impact on the environment… delicious and environmentally conscious!
6. Now, the traditional hero of the day is often a Christmas Ham, and we have one of the best free range, artisan small good producers right here in our region. Mt Gnomon Farm offers a range of delicious bone-in and boneless leg hams that are smoked with oak and are suitable for either eating fresh or glazing. This year they’ve also added a shoulder ham which are perfect for glazing. They also have pork roasts, barbecue packs which include some of their famous small goods, along with sausages for boxing day barbecues! Supply is limited, check out the website for pick up locations.
7. What’s an absolute staple with any roast or hot lunch? Potatoes of course and we know there is no shortage of those in the North. Why not make them fancy this year, it is xmas after all! Add some Truffle Farm truffle oil, some parmesan, garlic and voilá! Tasmanian Truffles is Australia’s premier producer of world-class black truffles and premium truffle products. Their dedication and expertise in producing exquisite truffle products is born out of decades of innovation and experience, and a drive to grow one of the world’s most celebrated ingredients.
8. We are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to wine in Tasmania – Australia’s best wine region! You can’t go wrong with opening a few bottles of La Villa Wines over the festive season. Established in 2010 and located in Spreyton, La Villa is a family owned 5 hectare boutique vineyard focusing on producing low yield premium fruit. To keep the crowd happy, you’ll want to serve a red and a white and their classic cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay won’t let you down. Serve the Nebbiolo Rose with your cheese and don’t forget bubbles for dessert!
9. Speaking of desert, where do we even start. Of course, we know fresh is best and the berries in the North are better than the rest! Plump Berries‘ farm is located on rolling hill country in Barrington where the owners adopt regenerative farming practices, and provide a pick your own experience. Home to a huge variety of fruit you’ll find all your fav’s; raspberries, blueberries and blackberries plus loganberries, tayberries, red currants, black currants, gooseberries, sour and sweet cherries and more! Whether you’re planning a class pavlova, or an impressive fruit platter, fresh berries and xmas go hand in hand!
10. What goes perfectly on the side of any dessert, ice cream of course! I mean you don’t even have to serve it with dessert, you can simply have a big bowl all on its own but a xmas pudding with a side of Van Diemens Land Creamery Vanilla Bean is hard to go past. Established in 2005, @vdlcreamery was created by a Tasmanian dairy farming family, with their products now featured in premium restaurants, delicatessens and scoop outlets right around Australia. They proudly use fresh Tasmanian ingredients, from local milk, leatherwood honey and lavender to olive oil and whisky. With over 30 flavours to choose from across ice cream, gelato and sorbet, there really is something for everyone.
11. We truly are so lucky to live in such an incredible part of the world with an abundance of fantastic produce as well as some pretty great people behind the brands. So, as xmas day starts to wind down, remember to take a moment to be grateful for a full belly and a happy heart, with a little night cap in hand of course. A Hellyers Road Whisky Cream is the perfect way to end the day.. Made with arguably the world’s freshest cream from the world’s purest landscapes, and blended with their single malt whisky, this cream liqueur provides an unrivalled flavour that is truly tantalising “The liqueur casts aromas of chocolate, coconut, and malt biscuit, with a seductive drizzle of honey. The palate is rich and creamy, delivering an explosion, of malt biscuit, and coconut amidst creamy chocolate”.. go on, it’s Christmas!
