PUT UP YOUR CUKES
Refreshing cucumbers come in all shapes and sizes at the Mercato. We’re partial to the long, twisty Armenian cucumbers at Sage Mountain Farms’ booth. Slice for sandwiches and salads, or to dip into Chi Cuisines miso hummus or Baba Foods’ Baba Ganoush. For a perfect summer salad, toss diced cucumbers with Sage Mountain’s Yellow Pear, Sung Old, and Chocolate Cherry tomatoes, crumble in a piece of Feta cheese from Lisko Imports and toss with vinaigrette.

ITALIANISSIMO JOINS THE MERCATO
Andrea Zarattini knows Italian. He produces Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Lotario” and imports other olive oils from the same region of Abruzzo. His emphasis is on organically grown products, “produced respecting nature”, without the use of pesticides, and in the Slow Food tradition of defending agricultutal biodiversity and gastronomic traditions. Check out his olive oil and olive oil soaps this week at the Mercato.

BREAKFAST TIME
Come hungry and eat at the Mercato. Whether it’s a hot panini or crepe, Italian yogurt and organic granola from Urban Chef, or a lox sandwich from Omega Me Well, breakfast is ready. A breakfast bar from Grammy’s Granola and a smoothie from Green Fix makes for a meal on the go. Arriving later in the morning? Try a salad from Tender Greens, a savory Peace Pie, or a crisp roto chicken and potatoes from Grill Masters. Yum!

TOP OF THE MARKET
As the Mercato continues to expand, look for new booths and old favorites in the State to Union block of Date Street. Montana’s cookies, coffee cake and lemon bars can be found here, along with Spicy Gravy’s perfect marinara sauce, Desire tablecloths from Provence, Funky Spun bunnies and angora yarn and more. Grab an Italian ice and shop til you drop!

Shop the Little Italy Mercato every Saturday from 9 am to 1:30 pm, year-round. Shop Date Street from Kettner to Union

Subscribe to the Mercato Messenger
Click here to get a weekly e-mail update from the Little Italy Mercato.

MOVING AT THE MERCATO
Luis Max is back with us this week, so expect shoppers to be moving and twirling to the sounds of new flamenco. Musicians interested in playing at the Mercato can contact mercato@littleitalysd.com for more info.

REACH MERCATO SHOPPERS
Mercato shoppers eat all week long! Advertise your restaurant or lifestyle items in the Mercato Monitor, the newspaper that covers the pulse of the Little Italy Mercato. Email mercato@littleitalysd.com or call 619.233.3769 now!