Vegetables, Meet Chocolate

Thanks to Heidi and Arthur Chocolatiers, a father-daughter team cranking out handmade, all-natural chocolate confections in Valley Cottage, N.Y., the earthy flavors of beets, taro, sweet potato, parsnip and celery root just got sweeter.

The duos’ Root Vegetable Chips Dipped in Dark Chocolate feature all-natural and transfat-free chips and dark chocolate that is full of heart-smart antioxidants. Owner Heidi Caren dips the chips in dark chocolate because she says that people who usually choose vegetable chips (over a potato chips) tend to like things that aren’t too sweet. Seen at corporate meetings next to fancy bottled water (a large box is visually stunning and easily replaces bagels or Danishes), the chips can be ordered online at www.heidiandarthurs.com. They vary in sizes from small to large, and are also available in sugar-free. (Prices range from $11-$47 a box.) The chips make a great hostess gift for dark chocolate lovers who enjoy the crunch of something mildly sweet. With a shelf life of only 7-10 days (if kept in an air-tight container) you will have to eat them fast. Don’t worry, it won’t be an issue! —Nicole Denis

Nicole Denis is a regular foodspring.com contributor and is the author of foodspring’s foodie-mom blog.