Holiday Recipes and Traditions From The FruitGuys

Our team at The FruitGuys spends every day thinking about food — so it’s no surprise we’re big fans of holiday feasts! Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at some of our favorite holiday recipes and traditions. 

Delicious Dishes Worth Waiting For  

In Erin’s family, pie is more than a dessert during the holiday season: It’s a love language. So far, she says, nothing has topped her Aunt Carol’s pie extravaganza of 1995. 

“Carol and her husband Doug made two pecan pies, one pumpkin, two apple, one cherry, and two lemon meringue. I remember Doug whipping the meringue (egg whites with sugar) by hand in the kitchen — his forearm strength was impressive! In the end, there were eight pies to share among 14 people. That’s .57 pies per person, which was a pretty good ratio for our family of pie lovers.” 

– Erin, CEO

For Daria, the highlight of the holidays isn’t dessert — it’s breakfast. 

“Getting together and eating my grandma’s breakfast casserole is one thing we always look forward to as a family. She makes it with potatoes O’Brien, sausage, and eggs, and sprinkles it with cheese and green onion.”

– Daria, Snack Marketing

Krista and Oliver also wait all year for their respective grandmothers’ signature recipes. 

“I always appreciate eating my grandmother’s homemade applesauce because I know how much love and labor went into making it. Every bite brings back great memories that I have of working with her at her summer roadside produce market. It tastes extra special on some ham, turkey, or mashed potatoes.”

– Oliver, Buying

“We always make my grandma’s favorite stuffing for Thanksgiving and Christmas using toasted white bread (always use white), ground beef, celery, onions, eggs, salt, and pepper. My mom taught me how to make it when I was a little girl and now I’m teaching my daughter. Everyone who helps out gets a sample taste before it goes into the bird!”

– Krista, Farm-to-School

In Krizzia’s house, meanwhile, a savory dish starring chicken and rice is a holiday staple. 

“Having arroz caldo (Filipino rice porridge) during the holidays is a must in my family. It’s perfect for the winter season and reminds me of my childhood.”

– Krizzia, Farm-to-School

Merry-Making In the Kitchen

Cooking and baking are favorite FruitGuys pastimes during the holidays, especially when fruit is involved! Here are a few recipes we look forward to each winter. 

“Every year I make orange chocolate chunk cookies — which are just chocolate chip cookies with a *hint* of orange flavoring. Baking cookies together and watching ‘Elf’ is one of my family’s favorite holiday traditions.” 

– Rae, Marketing

“My favorite holiday foods are pineapple upside down cake and Mexican ponche (fruit punch). My family also makes tamales and gingerbread houses every year.”

– Leticia, Operations

“During the holidays, my family likes baking cookies (I love a good chocolate chip or peanut butter blossom cookie), playing games (Dutch Blitz, Scattergories, Pinochle), watching football, and spending quality time with loved ones. Oh, and enjoying great food!”

– Oliver, Buying

“I love holiday cookie- and candy-making with my mom every year. We usually make peanut butter balls, homemade fudge, peanut brittle, gingersnaps, candy cane cookies, and peanut butter blossoms.” 

– Venita, HR & Operations

Holiday Fun With Family

Though most of our team’s holiday traditions involve food, we also look forward to other family fun. In addition to baking cookies on Christmas Eve, Danielle’s family has a unique gift-giving method.

“We host a Pollyanna gift exchange with all of the kids ages 0-21.” 

–Danielle, Operations

Lex’s family also hosts a gift exchange the weekend before Christmas, followed by a unique performance. 

“Every year, the kids in my family dress up in handmade costumes and perform the nativity play in my grandparents’ dining room. The little ones argue over who gets to play Mary and Joseph, and the newest addition to the family stars as baby Jesus. My aunt Rhonda has directed the play for more than 20 years. I loved dressing up as an angel when I was younger. Now, it’s just as much fun to sing Christmas carols from the audience.”

–Lex, Marketing

For Jaysa and Miguel, games keep the holidays exciting. 

“We have a big family party, do a bunch of games, and tell family stories.”

–Jaysa, Farm-to-School

“We play board games and get really competitive.”

–Miguel, Buying

However you spend your holiday season this year, we hope it’s as fun and fruitful as ours!