We’re all about traditions here at Hickory Farms. After all, we’ve been an American tradition for over half a century!  But we also love taking traditions and adding fresh flairs to personalize them and make them even more special. So when honoring troops with family and friends this Memorial Day, why not skip the same-old routine, and try to spice it up? A Memorial Day cookout doesn’t have to be the same every year, instead of the regular routes, try one of these creative alternatives. Instead of only relying on flags and red, white and blue décor… Incorporate foods and dishes in your Memorial Day menu that show your patriotism. You can also honor a soldier currently overseas by serving up his or her favorite foods.  Instead of sticking to only hamburgers and hotdogs… Try throwing unique foods on the grill like salad and fruit. This grilled apple salad from Southern Living looks delicious. And in case you missed it, we recently wrote a post on yummy grilled fruit desserts – be sure to check it out! Instead of an ordinary cooler… Try serving drinks in an unexpected way. We love this creative DIY watermelon cocktail keg idea! …

      Hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, veggies and … fruit? That’s right! A delicious grilled fruit dessert can elevate a casual cookout into a chic, gourmet grill out. These desserts are not only easy and fun to make but can also be made to combine creative flavors for a uniquely fresh fruit dessert that is sure to wow family and friends – and taste buds! There are tons of yummy grilled fruit dessert recipes out there. Keep it as simple as sliced apples grilled with mint. Or, get creative (and ambitious) and try something spectacular like this apple pie breakfast stack made with grilled apple slices! One grilled apple recipe we thought sounded particularly good was this Baked Apples on the Grill recipe from Taste of Home. All you do is fill cored apples with some raisins, flaked coconut, packed brown sugar, and a little cinnamon. Then, throw them on heavy-duty foil, wrapping over the top and sealing tightly. Grill the apples, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are tender. Pears and mangoes are great with grill marks, too! We love the sound of the simple yet succulent Grilled Bartlett Pears …

        The spring season is always an exciting time of year. As nature is bursting with color, we are bursting with energy to get outdoors and enjoy beautiful weather and our favorite spring season traditions. So to celebrate this vibrant time of year, Hickory Farms is offering new spring gifts to make the season even sweeter. It’s just our way of making this season burst with color, energy, and now flavor, too! Each spring gift from Hickory Farms comes in a beautiful basket that was thoughtfully designed with bright spring colors and flavors that are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Made with only the freshest of ingredients, our spring gifts feature refreshing fruits, delicious snacks, and delectable treats that can take any spring activity from plain to perfectly delightful. With The Spring Treats basket you can enjoy D’Anjou Pears, a Fuji Apple, a Navel Orange, Mixed Nuts, 2 Farmhouse Cheddar wedges, and Olive Oil & Rosemary Crackers. You also get our famous Pastel Chocolate Dutch Mints and a Large Spring Flower Decorated Sugar Cookie for a nice sweet treat.  The Hickory Spring Reserve features a lot of the same delicious gourmet snacks and sweets …