Ashland, Oregon (Ashland's Food Co-Op Deli Is in My Vegan + Gluten-Free Belly)
When sneaking down the West Coast for a doctor’s appointment, we briefly landed in Ashland, Oregon. Meaning, Ashland's Food Co-Op deli found its way into my vegan (+ gluten-free) belly.
I’d heard so much about Ashland, Oregon, that I don’t know why I’d never visited before.
Ashland’s trees were every shade of beautiful. Ashland’s small immediate village welcomed humane diversity. Peace seemed a priority.
I wanted to stay, yet we were only driving through, dodging wind and rain. Time was limited.
What do I do in moments like those? I head straight to the closest food co-op for a bit of nourishment—for a self-indulgent pit stop. Thank you, Ashland Food Cooperative.
That is where I found more vegan (+ gluten-free) food than I’ve ever found in a co-op deli before. Also, their ingredients were fully displayed, and as good as it gets in these parts.
Meaning, if I were to prepare their deli food in my own kitchen, I’d only omit a few of their ingredients to make it plant-based (like oil, salt, and vegan cheese).
But I’m not perfect, so I consume small amounts of those vegan ingredients on occasion … and I was smiling widely on this occasion.
Most specifically, I was smiling widely because they served the absolute best vegan (+ gluten-free) pizza I’ve ever eaten out. Ever. Ever. Ever.
In fact, when they ran out of their vegan (+ gluten-free) pizza while I was there, they thoughtfully made a fresh one just for me, taking great care due to my celiac disease.
In addition to the food photos below, here were their lovely soups…
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 it’s necessary?), dill, oregano, sea salt
Split Pea Curry (vegan; gf, organic)
peas, onions, carrot, garlic, tomato, spinach, ginger, coconut milk (I wonder if cashew milk would 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
I think all of their amazing food below is the inspiration that we all (and all food co-ops) need.
And, since I have to head that way again, I’ll do my best to capture new (beautiful) photos. I’ll add them below and update this post.
