My Favorites from Trader Joe’s

elevating snack dinner for summertime

Every Wednesday evening we have a block party on our street. Yes, it’s as wonderful as it sounds and that is a whole conversation for another time (coming soon, promise). 

What’s important today is the dinner element of this weekly gathering. It’s low-key potluck – someone usually orders pizza, others bring the random things they have at home (fruit, crackers, cheese, veggie straws, etc.), and we cobble together a meal. Everyone is on their own timeframe, eating when they’re ready, and we have a hodgepodge of plates and utensils, chairs and picnic blankets. Kids are running around, parents are half-socializing, half-supervising and it’s the kind of wonderful chaos that I love. 

Wednesday dinner is becoming a group snack dinner which is honestly my favorite kind of dinner. 

The best place to shop for snack dinner staples is Trader Joe’s and last Wednesday afternoon, inspired by

Shauna Niequist

, I rounded up a few of my favorites as I was throwing them all in my cart. Many of these are becoming elements of our play street group potluck and others stay inside for my second snack dinner after the baby goes to sleep. In some format, they’re all staples in our life. 

Plantain Chips – We love these as a cracker-alternative with dips or cheese or as part of a snack platter. 

Corn and Chili Tomato-less Salsa – This corn salsa is the base for one of my favorite dips that is a crowd-pleaser every single time. The salsa tastes fancy and involved which makes this dip more impressive-tasting than it deserves. Simply mix with cream cheese and heat in the microwave until melty and you have a bowl of corn dip that has taken you <10 minutes but tastes much more involved. Chips are great (of course) but it’s also excellent with the plantain chips above. There will not be leftovers – even if you’ve just made for yourself on a random afternoon (like I may have done last week).

Unexpected Cheddar Cheese – Not too sharp and with a crumbly texture that makes it unique from other cheddars. An elevated classic to your standard cheese plate and very tasty with apple slices.

Fig Cookies – These first came into my life per the recommendation of a friend and trail-running partner as we trained for R2R2R. Chewy and not too sweet, they’re great running and hiking fuel while also fitting into snack dinner or my mid-morning slump quite well. 

Gone Bananas – These frozen dark chocolate covered banana sliced are one of my favorite snacks. Especially, but not only, on warm days, popping a few of these in my mouth straight from the freezer feels like a filling snack and dessert treat at the same time. 

Elote Chopped Salad Kit – I love a salad kit as an easy way to get interesting vegetables on the plate when things are hectic and this Elote combo is deliciously unique. [Note to self – you’ll want to coordinate plates and utensils for this one.]

Jalapeno Limeade – Use this in place of margarita mix for a refreshing twist or simply mix with bubbly water for a crisp pick-me-up drink. 

Dark Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels – Sure, you can get chocolate pretzles many places but I think these are the best. The dark chocolate is harder to find and the ratio + pretzel size here is just right. 

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups – Always on the end cap next to the register and therefore, these always end up in my cart (and open in the center console on my drive home). Another snack that also feels a little like dessert (apparently I’m into dark chocolate snack desserts… )

What are your snack staples or potluck favorites? From TJs or elsewhere, tell me what I should try next! 

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