Summer Markets, Olive Oil Cake & New Adventures!
Hello Friends,
Our Pepperberry newsletter list is growing! Thank you to everyone who has joined through our monthly raffle efforts.
Congratulations to our May raffle winner, Kylie Naslund! She won a Freselles Savory Sampler featuring three bags of freselles in Fennel, Mixed Pepper, and Sea Salt flavors. Kylie, keep an eye out for communications from us to coordinate getting your gift to you!
For those new here, I'm Maddie, owner of Pepperberry Foods.
I started my Italian bakery about two and a half years ago, inspired by my mother-in-law and her family's incredible recipes—the favorite being freselles! Freselles are light, crispy savory Italian biscuits that originated in the Puglia region and are common throughout southern Italy. In the US, they're typically found in New York and New England areas, often soaking up sauce or featured on antipasto trays with cheeses, olives, and pickled vegetables.
Our family has been making them for generations based on my husband's grandmother's recipe. Gram's recipe featured black pepper, and if you've tried our Original Mixed Peppercorn freselles, you've had a taste of freselles direct from Gram's table. When I joined the family, my mother-in-law Mary taught me these recipes—a lovely way to bond with her and learn about the Amarante family history.
Freselles were one of the first recipes she taught me. I loved that these little biscuits were a family favorite and became a symbol of care—something made to show loved ones they were welcome at the table for a visit or meal. That tradition of making special dishes to welcome people home is one my family shares as well. Another great thing about these biscuits is their versatility! We often add them to charcuterie boards, but they're wonderful with soup, tossed in salads, or paired with a glass of wine. I realized they were just too good not to share with others, and so Pepperberry Foods was born! Now that Jack, my husband, and I live in Portland, we're excited to share freselles with the Pacific Northwest.
The Wide Range of Pepperberry Flavors
Pepper will always be a favorite flavor in our household, but I've expanded to include a range of spicy, savory, herbaceous, and unique flavors:
Original Mixed Peppercorn: A blend of four peppercorns for a unique take on a classic flavor.
Sea Salt: A simple, crisp salt option that complements any pairing.
Smoky Calabrian Pepper: A unique mix of paprika and Calabrian pepper for a touch of heat.
Rosemary & Salt: Baked with fragrant rosemary and a touch of sea salt.
Fennel: Crafted with aromatic fennel seeds and a hint of salt and pepper for perfectly balanced, savory crunch.
Chili Crisp: New as of Mid-May! A collaboration with Chili Royale to create a bold freselle with hits of garlic and fried onion up front and a touch of heat on the finish. Find their whole line of delicious chili crisps here: Chili Royale
These incredibly versatile biscuits have a crispy-crumbly texture like savory biscotti. With a wide range of flavors, the pairing combinations are endless! I love seeing them on charcuterie boards complementing cheeses, cured meats, olives, and dried fruit, or simply accompanying your favorite glass of wine. All of our freselles are vegan-friendly and preservative, nut, and soy-free. They're handmade using local or organic ingredients wherever possible.
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake - New This Month!
I've added a traditional, mildly sweet Italian cake with rich chocolate flavor. I bake each cake in individual 5oz portions and serve them with homemade candied orange rind. The citrusy burst of orange complements the delicate cake beautifully. Like my freselles, this cake is vegan-friendly and made without dairy or eggs. Stop by any of my markets for a taste of my newest indulgence—you won't be disappointed!
Summer Farmers Markets
This year we're expanding our presence in Portland and surrounding towns. Here's where you'll find us this summer:
Tuesdays: OHSU Farmers Market
July 1st - September | 10am-2pm
3286 SW Research Dr, Portland, OR
ohsu.edu/farmers-market
Wednesdays: Wednesdays in Willamette
July - September (short break in June) | 4-8pm
1785 Willamette Falls Dr, West Linn, OR
historicwillamette.com/market
Thursdays: South Waterfront Farmers Market
June 5th, then July 3rd - October | 2-7pm
3508 S Moody Ave, Portland, OR
southwaterfront.com/farmers-market-about
Saturdays: Beaverton Farmers Market
Most Saturdays through October | 8:30am-1:30pm
12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton, OR
beavertonfarmersmarket.com
Exception: August 9th - Lake Oswego Farmers Market
All market dates can be found on our events page and monthly calendars on our social accounts.
Pepperberry Adventures!
I'll be out of town during the 2nd and 4th weeks of June. For those who don't know, I'm an avid outdoor enthusiast with years spent hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing, and traveling to wild, remote places. I now share that passion as an adventure guide for Northwest Discoveries, an Oregon-based tour operator. We lead our own tours and partner with Road Scholar, an organization running educational trips for guests 55 and older. Every summer, I take time in June and September to lead travelers on hikes around Mt. Hood and scenic bike rides across the Northern Idaho panhandle.
In July, I'll resume my full farmers market schedule and look forward to seeing everyone there!
Where to Find Pepperberry Products
Online
Pepperberry Foods Website: Buy Here!
Retail Locations
Market of Choice (Core flavors: Original Mixed Peppercorn, Sea Salt, Smoky Calabrian Pepper)
Belmont
West Linn
Cedar Mill
Hillsboro
marketofchoice.com
Food Fight! Grocery
NW Halsey St., Portland
foodfightgrocery.com
Collective Market
3rd Street, Hillsboro
collectivemarket.net
Foodie Stash - Healthy Vending
foodiestash.com
Legacy Hospitals: NW 23rd St., Salmon Creek & Meridian Park locations
South Waterfront: The Dylan Apartments & Osprey Apartments
As always, thank you for being part of Pepperberry Foods! I'm so glad you're here!
Warmly,
Maddie
