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Business & Tech

Make Your Thanksgiving a 'Local' Experience

Plenty of local farms and businesses offer homegrown trimmings.

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and if you haven't done your shopping yet, keep in mind that there are a bounty of area farmers and resources available to make your Thanksgiving meal a truly "local" experience.

Homegrown trimmings can be found all around us, from farms in Manchester to those in Ashford and Ellington.

"We've got native potatoes, native butternut squash, native onions," Shelly Botticello of Botticello Farms, located at 209 Hillstown Rd. in Manchester, said.

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This is her family's busy season, as they gear up for Christmas. In addition to produce sales this week, they’re making wreaths and selling trees.

"It's nice this time of year," Botticello said.

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daily through Christmas starting at 8 a.m. and stay that way until 7 p.m. You may order Thanksgiving pies - pumpkin, apple, blueberry, mincemeat and sugar-free apple - and pick them up, freshly baked, the day before Thanksgiving, just remember to call to order (860-649-2462).

A best seller of the autumn season is apple cider, and Wright's Orchard and Dried Flower Farm in Tolland has you covered.

"We have applies, pies and cider," owner Joyclyn Wright said. "Pies are on a first-come, first-served bases." They are currently available in apple and pumpkin.

The stand is open through Dec. 24, Thursday through Tuesday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. They are closed on Wednesdays, so if you plan on stopping by, today is the day. They are located at 271 South River Rd. in Tolland at (860) 872-1665.

At a covered, outdoor market, Shady Groves of Ellington is offering a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as eggs, baked goods, jams, jellies, preserves and herbs and spices. They are open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are located at 117 Stafford Rd. If you want to place a special order you can call the farm at (860) 597-3099, but keep in mind that they also advertise delivery to the towns of Ellington, Tolland, and Vernon.

For those with intolerance to wheat products, , located in the Eagleville section of Mansfield at 2 Old Mill Ct., can help.

"A lot of people are coming in for the gluten-free and spices. That seems to be the theme of the day. We have great prices on spices, and our gluten-free items include flour, baking mixes, pasta items and breads," Merrill Cook said, adding that “people coming in for our honey and maple syrup, as well."

If you’re looking for a dessert, but not in the mood for pie, Crissy's Crumb Cakes out of Stafford Springs offers crumb cakes in many flavors.

"This time of year you can't go wrong with an apple cinnamon or pumpkin spice crumb cake. Also, we can make a cake look like anything you want,” owner Crystal "Crissy" Bannister said, adding that they have the most fun with creating holiday-themed cupcakes.

Bannister can be reached on Facebook at Crissy's Crumb Cakes, by email at Crissyscrumbcakes@gmail.com, or by phone at (860) 308-5681.

Horse Listeners Orchard in Ashford has a 2,400-square-foot store on site offering a variety of locally made products perfect for your Thanksgiving feast. Located at 317 Bebbington Rd., the store offers locally-made honey, eggs, maple syrup, jellies, jams, apple butter, frozen apple pie, apple crisp, cheese, apple cider, pumpkins, winter vegetables and caramel apples. You may email or call in your pie and apple crisp orders to (860) 429-5336 or matthewcouzens@sbcglobal.net.

Don't forget the farm on the day after Thanksgiving; they will have handmade wreaths from their own spruce and fir trees as well as tag-and-cut-your-own Christmas trees and a pre-cut assortment. They are open Monday through Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Last but not least, we have not forgotten the main course this Thanksgiving... . To locate local turkey farmers, visit the Connecticut Department of Agriculture website.

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