CAN'T BEET 'EM? GRILL 'EM!
One of our farmers tells us she turned her non-beet-loving family into fans when she threw a batch on the grill for herself. "They wolfed them down before they even realized what they were," she says. Grilling caramelizes the natural sugar in fruits and vegetables and adds a whole new flavor. Purple potatoes and onions from Gama Farms, oranges from Polito Farms and those beets from Kawano Farms all cook up nicely sliced and coated with a little olive oil. The strawberry fields in Carlsbad and Oceanside are filling with red, ripe berries and Kawano Farms is bringing them to the Little Italy Mercato farmers' market.

SMOKIN' NEW VENDORS
The Mercato is expanding again, and this weekend it's all about the smoking and grilling. We've been begging Richie's Roasted Peppers to join us for months, and Richard will be here this weekend tumbling Anaheim, Poblano and Jalapeno peppers in his roaster. . Take those home to use in the recipe below, or one of your own, and pick up some Hot Lime jelly or our favorite Artichoke Chili dip.

Ranchwood Deli will be serving up smoked natural Iowa Gold pork and turkey, grilled corn and more. Tri Tip Daddy will be smoking and serving - what else? - Palomar beef tri tip. Sounds like lunch at the Mercato to us.

And speaking of smoke, Omega Me Well is back with us. Check out their candy-sweet smoked salmon jerky, thin sliced lox and other smoked salmon offerings.

Chili Relleno Casserole ala Mercato Pre-heat oven at 350° F. Spray 1 1/2-quart casserole dish with nonstick spray. Mix 12 farm fresh eggs, 1 cup half and half and 1/3 cup flour until smooth. Layer egg mixture with 8-10 Richie's Roasted chilies, sliced in strips, 1/2 pound Springhill Farms pepper jack cheese, shredded, and 1/2 pound Springhill Farms cheddar, shredded. (Richard recommends New Mexico Hatch, Poblanos or Anaheim chilies. Remember to use gloves when handling hot peppers.) Top with 2 large farm-fresh tomatoes, diced and seasoned to taste with garlic, salt and pepper. Bake for 1 hour, covering with foil if the top browns too much. Serves 4-6.

BROWNIES, COOKIES AND CAKES
The Mercato's favorite cause is supporting Little Italy's own Washington Elementary School. We'll be sponsoring their Walkathon on March 28, as the kids troop past the market on their one-mile trek. This weekend and next, the second and third grade Brownies of Washington's very first Girl Scout troop will be selling cookies at the Mercato information booth.

Of course, we'd never actually choose Girl Scout cookies over Montana's lemon bars, Bread & Cie's brownies, or the luscious pastries at La Patisserie du Soleil, Lisko Imports or Loic Patisserie. But there are times when nothing but a Thin Mint will do, so stock up on both.

WE WANNA BE IN PICTURES
Barbara Loraine of the KISS (Keep it Simple Sweetie) show on Time Warner Channel 19 will be at the market tomorrow interviewing shoppers for an upcoming segment. Look for her after 11 am between Columbia and State.

Now it's your turn to be a producer and win! Film your favorite farmers and vendors, the music and the views of the bay and post them to YouTube. Email the link to us at mercato@littleitaly.com by Tuesday, March 31, 2009. We'll pick our favorite and award $50 in Mercato Money to the "filmmaker". We can't wait to see the Mercato through your eyes!

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

MERCATO MONITOR DEADLINE
The March 24 deadline is coming up to advertise your restaurant, shop or service in the Spring issue of the Mercato Monitor, the newspaper that covers the pulse of the Little Italy Mercato and the neighborhood. Email mercato@littleitalysd.com or call 619.233.3769 now!