Up for a little post-hike charcuterie?
I survived many a hike with a smashed PBJ and baggie of GORP. Maybe we’d jazz it up with some summer sausage, and lukewarm Tang (if you remember Tang, you are as old as me!) It was fine. But especially once our kids grew up and our hiking involved just the two of us, we started taking the hiking snacks to the next level.
Yes, that is a bottle of Two-buck Chuck in the photo, so next-level for us is still pretty accessible. And the acrylic wine glasses have been tumbling around in the bottom of our packs for years. But dang if it’s not delicious when you drink it next to a pristine mountain lake!
As for the nibbles, choose snacks that are tasty but energy-packed, in durable but lightweight packaging. Unless you are camping by kayak or canoe, in which case heavier packaging makes little difference.
Top choices:
- Pistachios, full of replenishing minerals and fill-you-up fiber. Just be sure to pick up the shells.
- Cheddar sticks or baby bells, or both, and pita crackers which don’t smash easily.
- Sardines. If you’re not a fan yet, trust me on this. Most are sustainably fished, have power-packed nutritional value, and are delicious. One warning–once you open a tin of sardines you can’t reclose it — you’re committed to eating them all.
- Olives now can be found in vacuum sealed bags instead of jars. Yumm.
- Apples and tangerines are the sturdiest fruit, but grapes are a nice touch. Pack out the peels and cores–don’t expect the chipmunks to clean up after you!
If you come across a tree stump to use as a charcuterie platter, just flick out the cloth napkin you stashed in your pack (or an old bandana) and lay out the goods. Not pictured but still essential: Corkscrew, small knife for sardines, and post-picnic mints.