At the just-completed Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, trendspotters from culinary and cultural biggies like O Magazine and Food Network came up with this list of the top 5 new food trends:

1. Innovative Vinegars. Yay! I've long touted the value of having a variety of interesting vinegars in your pantry. Trendspotters noted flavors such as Hibiscus, Walnut Champagne, Peach Balsamic, Lime Rice, and Apple Ice Wine Vinegar. (I'm still a fan of A L'Olivier fruit vinegars, especially and their Passion Fruit Vinegar.)

2. Indian Products, with unusual creations such as Curry Ketchup, Cashews & Cream Cooking Sauce, Tandoori Chicken Naanwich, and Tikka Masala Marinara. (Try our healthy takes on Indian food classics.)

3. Grains, Nuts & Seeds. Tons of new products incorporate these healthy items, both sweet and savory: look for Flax Seed Crackers, Oat and Corn Cakes, Pumpkin Palooza Nut Confections, and Lentil Chips.

4. Squash, Pumpkin and Sweet Potato. Glad to hear these nutritious and naturally sweet foods are gaining ground. Items noted at the show include Pumpkin Salsa, Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce, Sweet Potato Butter, Butternut Squash Tart, and Sweet Potato Chocolate. (We've got lots of delicious squash recipes to try; one of my faves is Stuffed Acorn Squash with Black Rice, Roasted Carrots, and Dried Cherries, shown at left.)

5. Handcrafted Local Heritage Foods. People continue to want a connection with their food, so home-made items are on the rise. Trendspotters noted homey soups, pickles and sweets including Linekin Bay Lobster Corn Chowder, Brooklyn Pickles, Wild West Steak Rub and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

According to the report, "Other emerging trends identified are fig products, including a cabernet wine and fig preserve; unusual teas infused with turmeric and cardamom; and specialty flavored honeys such as chestnut, lime, pine and raspberry."