Have Food . . .Will It Travel?

13 Dec

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Photo courtesty of Whole Foods Market

There are more than a few seasonal foods that are served  up on the “platelist” in holiday songs. You’ll find chestnuts roasting, geese a laying, latkes to eat, figgy pudding, fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, coffee and pumpkin pie, popcorn, eggnog, marshmallows, and whipped cream.  Each and every one of these foods are on the “must have on the menu list” for the holiday celebration at someone’s house.  The question is how to get them there—if you’re traveling by airplane.

The Transportation Safety Administration aka TSA, is not aiming to be The Grinch, or Scrooge by seizing your rations.  I checked in with the guidelines on the TSA website for the definitive answers on getting through the checkpoint with foods and beverages destined for the holiday table.  The items on the following list should placed in checked baggage, or shipped ahead:

Cranberry sauce
Creamy dips and spreads (cheeses, peanut butter, etc.)
Gift baskets with food items (salsa, jams and salad dressings)
Gravy
Jams
Jellies
Maple syrup
Oils and vinegars
Salad dressing
Salsa
Sauces
Soups
Wine, liquor and beer
 

Baked goods such as cakes, pies, quick breads, yeast rolls, macaroni and cheese, hamor turkey can be carried on, but they can be subject to additional screening.   Any of these items that you’re planning to carry-on should be in easily opened resealable  packaging, transparent dish or zip-top plastic bags.  If you’re toting pickles, giardiniera, or olives, drain the liquid so that you’re not over the 3.4-ounce liquid limit. Nix the dry ice—that’s a banned item.   If the food needs to stay cold, chill it well and pack it in an insulated bag.

Giving the gift of food can be an easy out in solving a gift dilemma, however if air travel is in the mix, plan to bake or make-ahead and rely on the post office, or parcel shipper to deliver the goods for you.

 

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