One thing I’d like to do with this website is to highlight regional foods and products, so why not start with something from my hometown of Herkimer, NY?

Heidelberg Bread is located on Rt. 28 in Herkimer and, not too long ago, expanded into a small eatery as well as a bakery. They make their bread available throughout the region, although you do have to search it out at times. If I don’t pick some up when I’m visiting home, I can get it at Ithaca’s Greenstar Co-op (both the original and Oasis locations).

The most popular variety is probably the French Peasant, which is chewy and hearty, with a crisp crust. There is no better sandwich bread for making toast! Everytime I pick it up at the co-op, it is a given that the person who rings me up makes mention of the bread being their favorite.

Myself and the cashier are definitely not alone in our opinion, though. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows of Cookin’ in the ‘Cuse makes mention of the bread twice (huh… that’s funny… I just realized I know who she is: an alumni of my graduate program!), Metroland named it Best Bread (Sandwich) in 2004 (scroll down), and these folks have pleasant things to say as well (again, scroll down).

I find it best to store it in the fridge until I want a few slices as it contains no preservatives and since I’m usually toasting the French Peasant bread, I don’t have to suffer through chilly sandwiches. Perfect with peanut butter or topped with basil and mozzarella or whatever else you’d like to put on it. It’s the best!