Sure, it’s fun to explore roadside eats and treats, but sometimes you just need something satisfying to get you from Point A to that final destination. Here’s a few to stock up on before starting the journey.
What makes it road worthy?
Our 23-foot motorhome just hit 70,000 miles after more than six years on the road. My husband and I celebrated this milestone by diving into a pantry bin labeled “Snax.” To qualify for a spot in that special collection, there are a few hurdles to clear:
Is it messy? Driving with sticky fingers is not a good plan, so as much as we love chocolate, it doesn’t make the cut. The one exception is Junior Mints, but only if they’re frozen.
Does it cure a case of the hangries? We could munch on chips and Dot’s Pretzels for miles, but those carb-tastic munchies don’t exactly satisfy in the long run. That’s why our go-to snacks lean into the protein-rich category.
All-star status is achieved if packaging is minimal and/or recyclable.
There’s one category of snacks that checks all those boxes.
Going way beyond classic beef jerky
The jerky category has blown up the past decade, thanks the popularity of keto-type diets. (Though if you’re going strictly keto, reading the label is essential in avoiding carbs.)
Among my favorite off-beat jerky types are plant-based, specifically mushroom jerky, especially the spicy varieties from the outstanding Canyon Creek Mushrooms near Palm Springs. This addictive snack is made with the producer’s oyster mushrooms and those meaty fungi manage to pull off a chewy texture that comes close to the original beef jerky.
Salmon jerky also scores high on the snack satisfaction scale. The wild king salmon jerky from SeaBear is the best I’ve tried so far, standing out by retaining a bit of that rich character for which the fish is prized.
A fiery take on tuna salad
A two-ingredient tuna salad acts more like the life of the party kind of dip when one of those ingredients is Grillo’s Pickle de Gallo. That spicy mashup of chopped pickles, peppers and onions is highly scoopable when combined with a can of tuna packed in olive oil. Triscuits are the go-to cracker, prized for sturdiness.
On our long hauls – we recently drove from Half Moon Bay, Calif., to Portland, Ore., in a 11-hour day – the co-pilot loads the tuna onto the crackers for the captain. So far, there’s yet to be a mishap, but if you’re nervous about making a mess, wrap that salad in a flour tortilla.
Nuts for the win
There’s always a bag of almonds within reach, but those crunchers aren’t technically a nut. They’re classified as fruit. Maybe that’s why almonds partner up so well with dried . I make a version of trail mix with spicy mango and almonds for the best kind of sweet and heat.
Well, that combo also can be found in Blue Diamond’s newest release, almonds seasoned with Mike’s Hot Honey. A winner.
Stay caffeinated
There are thousands of ways to get that coffee buzz while rolling down the road. Death Wish Coffee Co. has been around since 2012, standing out in that crowded field by using beans grown using Fair Trade practices. The cold brew is sweetened and latte’d so it’s easy sipping directly from the can.