Put the kettle corn on

(Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)

An old-fashioned sweet-and-salty popcorn mix reminiscent of Midwest state fairs and circus big tops is suddenly hot again. Not as treacly sweet as Cracker Jack, or as teeth-coatingly cheesy as Smartfood, kettle corn - named for the traditional iron kettle used for popping - is also a reasonably high-fiber, low-calorie snack. Local companies like Burlington-based T.T. Buds and Leicester-based Velma's Wicked Delicious Kettle Corn are popping up a storm, both in stores and at local farmers' markets. T.T. Buds ($2.99 for an 8-ounce bag) recently signed a deal with Market Basket that will put the addictive sweet and salty mix in 40 stores, in addition to nearly 400 other retail outlets, says cofounder Tim Dalton. Folksy Velma's ($4 for a 9-ounce bag) is still a small-scale operation. Company co-owner and chief popper Eric Bickernicks (above, working the kettle) says its fan base is growing under a bright red and yellow tent at local markets and craft fairs. T.T. Buds at Market Basket stores or go to www.ttbudspopcorn.com; Velma's Wicked Delicious Kettle Corn - www.wickeddelicious.com - is at area farmers' markets. - ERICA NOONAN