Recently I have noticed a huge divide in individuals who only want gluten free foods and some who think they are absolutely gross and refuse to even taste them, and some who swear by them.

One of my aunts has a terrible gluten allergy. This allergy is called Celiac Disease. This can be rather serious for some people. I felt bad for her during the holidays everyone is always snacking on cakes, cookies, pies and other glutenous treats. One year I decided to make a gluten free pumpkin pie. Not that pumpkin pies have a ton of gluten but it is nearly impossible to find someone who makes and sells gluten free pies during the holidays and when you do they are outrageously priced. So…what does one do? Make it yourself. I was already making other pies for our family gathering so what was one more. Well…..they are a tiny bit more labor intensive and a bit more expensive but well worth it.

Once the pie was made it looked and smelled even more delicious than the regular pies. It had a pecan crust and pumpkin pie filling. Mmmm So we arrived, pies in hand, and to my surprise some people were like “Eeewwww gluten free that must taste so gross!” This is when I began to see the divide of gluten-us vs. gluten-them. Some people unfortunately don’t have the choice and have got to eat gluten free. Others who do have the choice can be interesting. There are several benefits to eating gluten free and you do not feel the loss of gluten. However it is so difficult to find affordable desserts that are made. Now it is so much more simple to make these desserts. They now sell mixes for cookies, brownies and cake. (Versal Arts sells mixes also 😉) But back in the day that was some kind of joke.

The pie had been a success, then came a birthday party. I called a local bakery to order a cake, thinking this will save me some time and I’m sure it’ll be beautiful. So I call and ask for a gluten-free cake, they laughed. I then proceeded to ask “How much would a 6 in cake be?” ….silence then….”$60” Huh?!?! I was flabbergasted, I get that the ingredients are more expensive but that amount for a 6 inch cake seemed ridiculous. After a little bit of self talk I hyped myself up to making it on my own. I decided to make a chocolate turtle cake. Turtle being like those chocolate candies that have pecans, caramel and chocolate. Humm how do you make this cake in 2 hours. Ha I had to cheat and use actual caramels and melt them down, there was no way I was going to be able to make it and have it to the birthday party on time. Anyway two delicious layers of gluten free chocolate cake made with coconut flour, with a creamy center of warm caramel and toasted pecans, holding the two together covered in more caramel, pecans and a homemade chocolate ganache. My stab at a glutenous gluten free cake was complete. The best thing about it was that nobody knew that it was gluten free. The crumb looked normal and tasted just like a chocolate cake with a hint of coconut flavor.

So after having some successful gluten-free desserts, we had already started doing the farmers markets… we occasionally have gluten free items available such as gluten free cookies, our pumpkin butter, mini pies, whole pies, energy bites, brownies in a jar etc. We had to offer samples and have it presented at the market. The reactions were surprising. Some people flocked to the gluten-free foods and others were beyond opposed. Some reactions were quite comical as soon as a sample was offered they would scrunch their face and say something like, “Oh no why would anyone want to eat something like that.” They would taste it anyway and end up loving it. We would occasionally have to explain why we make some of these items. Then they would feel bad and were sorry they were rude and some just didn’t care and would walk away or say, “Humm that doesn’t taste like cardboard, I like it.” I was thinking, “Dang where have they tried such horrible foods?!” We were on a mission to provide delicious gluten-free foods.

Gluten free foods were just the tip of the iceberg, there are so many other kinds of foods and special products that are needed by people like, sugar-free desserts, keto friendly, & gluten-free. Let us know when you need an order of anything. Versal is here to serve you.

For El Pasoans, we do offer that same Gluten-free Turtle Cake. Place an order and try it out for yourself!

Something you don’t see on the menu? Ask us and see what we can do.