At this time of year many people either forget, or don't realize, that they can find fresh local foods and beverages that are perfect for celebrating the Festive Season.

The Caledon Countryside Alliance has compiled a convenient Eat Local Caledon Holiday Directory which is designed to help you locate local foods and ingredients.

This directory lists a number of local farms and small businesses that produce and/or sell popular holiday goods including: fresh baked goods, local fruits & vegetables, homemade jams & preserves, honey & maple syrup, Ontario cheeses, free-range turkeys and other meats, wine and hard and sweet ciders. 

It can even help you find the perfect Christmas Tree or Wreath for your home.

CLICK HERE to view the directory.

Buying your festive foods and supplies at these farms and small businesses will ensure that you find the freshest and highest quality foods available - not to mention supporting the local economy. It's a "win-win" scenario regardless of how you look at it.

Happy shopping!

Even though the 2010 Market Season ended on October 7, we will still be sharing recipes, upcoming special events, 2011 Market vendor previews and other such information on our Facebook Profile page.

There are literally thousands of excellent recipes that are "dusted off" at this time of year to help celebrate the season.

1. Beat shortening and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in egg and blend thoroughly.
3. Stir together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
4. Stir half the dry ingredients into creamed mixture.
5. Stir in nuts, apple and raisins, then stir in remaining half of dry ingredients and milk. Mix well.
6. Drop from tablespoon 1 1/2 inches apart onto lightly greased baking sheet.
7. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
8. Remove cookies to racks and while still warm, spread with glaze.

1. Combine powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and enough cream to make glaze of spreading consistency.
2. Beat until smooth and spread on warm cookies.

Quick & Easy Peanut Butter Balls
(Recipe & photo courtesy of Allrecipes.com)

This is one of the easiest recipes you will ever find for making a tasty treat. It's also a perfect way to involve kids in the process because it requires few ingredients and no baking.

Below are preparation instructions for making approximately 24 balls.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup dry milk powder
• 1/2 cup honey

Preparation:

1. Blend all ingredients in a bowl - preferably by hand.
2. Once thoroughly mixed, roll into large marble-sized balls. You may also choose to dip the balls in chocolate or roll them in your choice of coatings, such as: cocoa powder, sprinkles, Smarties, oats, ground nuts or coconut.
3. Refrigerate on a tray or in a container for approximately 30 minutes
4. Enjoy!

The Holiday Season is a time for celebration across many cultures around the world.

It is associated with feasts featuring special foods and beverages that typically aren't served throughout the rest of the year.

Given that the Greater Toronto Area is arguably the most culturally and ethnically diverse place in the world, it is fitting that we look at some of the traditional meals and beverages that are used to celebrate this time of year around the globe.

Click the names of each to be linked to a description.

Who knows, you may even be inspired to try a few of them.

Australia & New Zealand:

White Christmas: Australian holiday sweet treat

Pavlova: meringue-based dessert

Belgium:

Cougnou: a sweet Christmas bread

Chile:

Pan de Pascua: Christmas sponge cake

Cola de Mono: festive spiced alcoholic drink

Colombia:

Hojuelas: flaky and crunchy fried dessert

Eastern Europe:

12 Dish Christmas Eve Supper: self explanatory

Poppy Milk: Lithuanian drink or soup made from poppy seeds

France:

13 Desserts: special selection of dessert foods for the Christmas season

Germany:

Christstollen: Christmas fruit cake

Springerele: decorative biscuit

Italy:

Pan d'Oro/Pandoro: sweet bread

Panettone: Christmas loaf

Phillipines:

Puto Bumbong: rice-based dessert prepared in bamboo tubes

Puerto Rico:

Coquito: eggnog-like alcoholic beverage

Scandinavian Countries:

Risalamande: rice pudding

Gløgg/Glögg

Serbia:

Česnica: ceremonial bread

Spain:

Rosca de Reyes: Christmas pastry