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SATURDAY MERCATO, SUNDAY FESTA
Yes, it’s Festa weekend in Little Italy! On Saturday, the Mercato farmers’
market will be open on Date Street from 9 am to 1:30 pm as usual. Get there
early to see bicyclists ride down India as they embark on the Festa Metric
Century Ride around 8 am. Then shop for this week’s groceries, grab a bite
to eat and enjoy the quiet.
 On Sunday more than 100,000 people descend
on the neighborhood to enjoy Italian music, food, arts and crafts vendors,
Gesso Italiano chalk painting and more. Stop by and say hello at the Mercato
booth on India Street near Date that day. At 6 pm, the winner of the Buddy
will be drawn. You still have time to get tickets at the Mercato on Saturday!
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WHAT'S MORE ITALIAN THAN BASIL?
In sauces, layered with heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella for a
caprese salad, or in homemade lasagna, nothing says Italian like
fresh basil. Riviera Treasure Garden at the bottom of the market offers potted
sweet, spicy and lemon basil plants. Archi’s Acres’ live rooted basil
stays fresh in your kitchen in a bowl of water for over a week. Randazzo Farms,
Sage Mountain Farms, Schaner Family Farms, and Suzie’s Farms all offer fresh
bunched basil. Our favorite taste right now? Crumble a small chunk of feta
cheese into a bowl of cubed ripe watermelon, top with chopped fresh basil and
sprinkle lightly with balsamic vinegar.
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JUST ADD BUTTER!
It’s lobster season in San Diego and Poppa’s fresh fish will have just-caught
local lobsters at the market this week. Boil them and dip the meat in a little
butter, dig it out and use in a salad, or chop tomatillos, ripe tomatoes, onion,
cilantro and chilis from our farm stands, wrap with lobster in a corn tortilla
and top with salsa from Richie’s Roasted Chilis for Lobster Tacos.
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MAN WITH A HORN
Justin Malizia provides tunes to shop by this weekend. Musicians interested
in playing at the Little Italy Mercato contact MERCATO
MUSIC for scheduling
details.
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Photos
by Ramona d'Viola, April Gillette, Tim Stahl, and Mark Burchard. |
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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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KEEP IT COOL
Our
wonderful insulated, zipper-top Mercato shopping bags to keep
your produce, eggs, fish and cheese cold while you shop and on
the way home are available every weekend at the Mercato for just
$10 at the Information Booth. 
MAPPING THE MARKET
For a map of most current vendors, and the entertainment schedule for Sunday’s
Festa, pick up a copy of the the new Fall issue of the Mercato Monitor at the
Info Booth, your source for Little Italy farmers’ market and neighborhood news.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS
Starting October 24, shoppers can extend their day in Little
Italy by visiting the new Little Italy STYLE Artisan Lifestyle Market on
Fir Street from 1 to 5 pm after the Mercato. Design, create or sell lighting,
fountains, handmade soap, musical instruments, glass art, or books? Applications
for booth space are being accepted now. Call 619.233.3769 or
click here.
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WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS
Our
beautiful Mercato Banners are just one way local businesses like Burger
Lounge
and Market
Street Vet support
the Little Italy farmers’ market. Interested
in sponsorship? Email mercato@littleitalysd.com or
call 619.233.3769. |
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