Ashland, Oregon (Vegan and Gluten-Free Deli Food—Including Pizza)
While traveling slowly down (then back up) the West Coast, we paused in Ashland, Oregon. Instantly, Ashland’s Food Cooperative deli found its way into my vegan (and gluten-free) belly.
I’d heard so much about Ashland that I don’t know why I never visited before. The trees were every shade of beautiful in autumn. Sunshine and cherry blossoms spilled out in the spring.
And Ashland’s small immediate village welcomed humane diversity. Peace seemed a priority.
Even though we witnessed some mental health struggles on the streets of this small town (which we see nearly everywhere in the States), there seemed to be a kindness in the air.
We were only traveling through, though. Time was limited.
Moments like these make me head straight to the closest food co-op for a bit of nourishment—for a self-indulgent pit stop. I had to visit Ashland’s Food Cooperative.
That is where I found more vegan and gluten-free deli food than I’ve ever seen in a co-op deli before. In addition, their ingredients were fully displayed, and as good as it gets in these parts.
Meaning, if I were to prepare their deli food myself, I’d only have to omit a few of their listed ingredients (like oil and vegan cheese) to make it plant-based.
But I’m not perfect, so I consume small amounts of those kinds of vegan ingredients on occasion … and I was smiling widely on this occasion.
Most specifically, I was smiling widely because they served the absolute tastiest vegan and gluten-free pizza I’ve ever eaten out. Ever. Ever. Ever.
In fact, they ran out of that very pizza while I was there, yet they still offered to make a fresh pizza just for me. It was easy to remove any excess vegan cheese.
In addition to all the food photographed below, the following lovely soups were also served…
Cream of Mushroom Soup (vegan; gf, organic)
mushrooms, onions, garlic, coconut milk (I wonder if cashew milk would work instead?), leeks, basil, oregano, black pepper, thyme, marjoram, cornstarch, sea salt
Vegetable Soup (vegan; gf, organic)
veggie stock, carrot, celery, potato, onion, cabbage, tomato sauce, parsley, garlic, braggs aminos (I wonder if braggs is even necessary?), dill, oregano, sea salt
Split Pea Curry (vegan; gf, organic)
peas, onions, carrot, garlic, tomato, spinach, ginger, coconut milk (might cashew milk work instead?), lime juice, curry powder, ginger powder, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, cilantro, coriander, lime leaves, garam masala, chili powder, paprika, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, sea salt
Hands down, I will now literally go out of my way to stop by Ashland’s Food Co-Op deli anytime I have to be in that part of the States. They are the food inspiration that all deli counters need.
