Viki's Montana Mtn Classics

Before you stop in Whistling Andy's in Bigfork, head over to Viki's Montana Mtn Classics for some tasty samples of Viki's homemade preserves, syrups, vinegars and dressings. Viki makes all of her own products using high quality, simple ingredients and local food whenever possible.  I am currently using some of her basil garlic vinaigrette dressing on all my salads. It's packed with large pieces of basil and just the right combination of creaminess and garlic flavor.  The huckleberry products are fabulous, too.  Anyone from Montana can recognize that syrupy sweet flavor in the abundance of huckleberry products found in any tourist outlet in the state but Viki's creations have just the right amount of real huckleberry tang. 

Viki's also carries a wide range of other local Montana made products like tea, honey and soup mixes.  She's a great ambassador of local food.  Stop by to see her at 801 Grand Avenue or order products and gift baskets on her website, http://www.montanaclassics.com/. 

Attack of the Giant Butternut

Check out this giant locally grown butternut squash! And check out what I made with it.....

(Notice I couldn't wait to start eating it before I remembered to take a  picture of it)
I have to admit that one of my least favorite activities in life is peeling and cutting up squash but the half hour I spent battling this monster was well worth it. Even after I made these pita pizzas, I had a large freezer bag full of lovely cubed butternut. It's all gone now but it lived a good life as roasted kabobs drizzled with a spicy chipotle sauce, a silky bed of pureed loveliness topped with chicken and apple sausage links and finally mashed and swirled in with some Yukon Gold potatoes.  Check out the Recipes section for instructions on how to make these pizzas and keep an eye out for all different varieties of Montana squash.