HERE TODAY, GONE TOMATO
It's tomato season at the Mercato, with farmers Kawano Farms, Sage Mountain Farms, Schaner farms and others showing off their Chocolate Cherry tomatoes, Green Zebras and other heirloom varieties along with giant Big Boys. These tomatoes are ripe when you buy them, so if you can't resist buying a whole bag full, you'll need a few ways to use them up. We suggest a big batch of Salsa Crudo – chop ripe tomatoes, basil leaves and garlic, add a touch of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper. For a little punch, include sliced black olives and capers. Spoon over fresh pasta from Lisko's booth, grilled ahi tuna from World Famous Fish, or use it to top slices of toasted bread from Belen Bakers for a simple bruschetta.

CHI FIRST
Looking for a great appetizer? Chi Cuisine's Hummiso served the way it's sampled at the Mercato, wrapped in a leaf of butter lettuce and garnished with a little chopped radish and onion from one of our farm stands, makes a great starter. One of their spicy barbecue rubs sprinkled on slices of fresh nectarines is another perfect party food. We like them on ribs before they go on the grill too!

MEAT ME AT THE MERCATO
Watch for new offerings this month that put a little meat in your basket. Da-Le Ranch will be bringing us naturally raised, farm fresh pork, lamb and chicken free of antibiotics and added hormones. Whether you need a few lamb chops for dinner, or a whole pig for that luau, you can get it at the Mercato starting September 13. Like your meat cured? Chef Rey Knight, sausage maker to the stars – ok, to the Linkery and Urban Solace – will be offering his amazing charcuterie at the Mercato starting September 20.

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

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DELANEY AND FLAMENCO
Delaney Gibson will be back at the Top of the Mercato this Saturday sharing songs from her latest CD The Worst Kind of Way. At India Street, Luis Max and his new-flamenco group will have shoppers dancing on the sidewalks.

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!