My God it's full of Pies! (and Election night treats too)

I have plans tonight. Oh yes, yes I do. Tonight I will make my way to Healthy Living where there is a Pie Tasting! Here's the excerpt from the Healthy Living website:

"PIE-TASTING
NOVEMBER 7th 2008

Our Café makes some fabulous pies for
Thanksgiving. Come sample some of our favorites at our FIRST ANNUAL PIE TASTING on NOVEMBER 7th from 5-7pm! Drink coffee, sip cider, or indulge in a cup of hot chocolate — all while tasting some of our delicious PIES! Order yours today! Classic Apple, Perfect Pumpkin, Wild Blueberry and our amazing Gluten-Free Pumpkin"

So yes, you know where you can find me. I'll be on Dorset Street in South Burlington swimming in Pies. Thanks to Shannon for making sure I was in the know! Hopefully I'll see some of you there too!

As to something I tasted a few days ago - I have to back track to Election night! I was working late at my day job, making sure I did my part to get the word out when Barack.. err I mean in case Barack won. Ok - he did, we all know it. I think it's safe to say I was confident he would win, though it's still somewhat surprising that it was by as wide a margin as it was. My employer was very kind and treated us to Juniors Italian dishes and desserts, and later even called in some Leonardo's Pizza for the troops. However, as delicious as they were, I'm only here to talk about the dessert!

There were many to choose from, and I did choose many. However as I was working, it was tricky to take pictures of them all.

They were quite delicious. Interestingly enough - there was a flavor of Almond extract and nutmeg to two of the three I had. I didn't mind, they were tasty and delicious!

The first Cookie had a heavy dusting of powdered sugar sprinkled across the top, and a nice little chocolate chunk nestled in it. It was a bit cakey, seemed to pick up some of the almond flavor from its neighbors and had something like nutmeg about it. I didn't get the chance to savor it as phones began ringing and I had to run, so into the mouth it went, and off to my desk I did go.

The second one I had is picture less, unfortunately. It was chockablock full of almond slivers, perhaps even Marzipan, for such a tiny little treat. Though it was very sugary, it was not sickly sweet. Were it bigger then that may have been a problem, but it was the right size for what it was. The top of it was a sugar glaze, and that's likely where much of the sweetness came from. This dessert was actually tricky to eat as it was less solid than fluid and stuck to the mini waxed paper cup that held it a bit. Certainly not anything to be held against it.

Onto our third. A lovely twist on the Italian Flag cookie. Nice little stack of cakes in fun colors, jam between the cake layers and topped with chocolate, and the sweet green almond sugar on the bottom. I almost thought it should be Red white and Blue on the bottom as this was Election day, even though this is a traditional Italian dessert and so it's the Red white and green colors of Italy's flag. I actually think I liked this one the best. The presentation, the colors, the balance of flavor, and the chocolate on top - it all seemed to work well. Thanks to my employer for the supply, and Juniors for the baking!

Finally - our winner - Juniors Cannoli!

Ladies and gentlemen - our winner!



Yes, it's the Cannoli from The Bakery at Juniors in Colchester, VT. This was the hands down high vote (received some 'offline' votes for this in addition to the votes online.)

That picture is what they look like, snagged right from Juniors website. Here's the picture from my cellphone of what I actually picked up.



Something very cool - they fill them to order. They have a display case with plastic clam shells you can grab and bring to the counter, so you get just the shell you want - then they go in back and fill it for you right there. Very cool - I've only ever seen these in some of the other small markets in the area pre-filled. My bet, it's going to be better having been filled just moments ago. Of course, people in more metropolitan areas think this is how they're always served, heck - a co-worker of mine informed me he used to go to a place where you could have parties and get unfilled cannolis shells/tubes and fill them yourself. Not always the case out here in the Boondocks.

So the look of this is great, though I will admit - I've never been a big fan of Cannoli. I like the name, I like the look - but something altogether about the taste never won me over. However, I think it's partially because I had something that was assembled long before, and not fresh like this. Also - it reminds me of a candle burning at both ends.

See the similarity:




However, this was much tastier than others I have eaten. The ricotta was definitely nicely blended, with mini chocolate chips scattered throughout. Now - I normally prefer shaved chocolate, but this is good. There's a taste of lemon to the filling and Cinnamon to the shell. The powdered sugar was, surprisingly, a bit much. A quick 'tap-tap' took care of some of the excess. I have to say, if you are at all a fan on Cannoli - then go to Italy, or New York City and grab yourself one. If however, you are in Vermont and don't have the time or money - go to Juniors Italian in Colchester, VT. As much as I , a certified Cannoli non-connoisseur, liked these - they're sure to please the Cannoli lover in you.

Oh, and if you do go - the 'Meat lovers' pizza is the bomb! Great crust, loaded with amazing meats, and it's perfectly offset by a slice of tomoato basil pizza too. Just be prepared.. if you eat two slices, that means you will be very full when it's time to eat dessert. Or, eat the dessert first - it's always a way to insure you're not too full!