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SOMERS, N.Y. - Somers Heidi Mancini and her business partner, Lori Mancini, became good friends after they married brothers. Their kids grew up together and the two women often cooked together in batches, to share, explains Lori Mancini. We both had gardens and we grew food and canned it and put together gift baskets for friends.
About a year ago the Mancinis decided it was time to turn pleasure into profit so they developed a line of condiments called Heat Sweets. Heat Sweets are sweets with some heat. That is, jellies, relishes and fruit leather with a kick.
Lori Mancini describes herself as a hot pepper person. I can eat jalapenos raw. All of their products are hand made in small batches. They pick wild berries whenever they can. There are raspberries all over Somers if you know where to go," she said. "Also wild blueberries. We always try to use local ingredients. Everything is natural. Its gluten-free, fat-free and nut-free. A really healthy snack.
Sometimes they stock up at local markets and sometimes travel for produce. They went to Massachusetts, for example, to pick peaches and plums. People have to taste our products to see how unusual and delicious they are, Mancini says. We are the only source for fruit leather on the east coast. Theres another producer on the west coast.
The partners sell their goods at local farmers markets and food fairs. Theres nothing like our sweet jalapeno relish. Its a mans condiment. Guys usually walk away with a couple of jars. I challenge people to name a sandwich that it wouldnt be good on.
Our accountant is addicted to it. He buys it in half-gallon jars. Now and then he calls up and all he says is, Im out and we know just what to do, Mancini says.
Heat Sweets are available locally at Taste Deli in Somers, Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem and Troys Nursery in Bedford. They may also be ordered from the company website.
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