LUNCH TO GO
Labor Day eat-ins promoted healthy school cafeteria lunches, but for now the
lunchbox may be the way to go. Try Hopkins AG Almond Butter and thin sliced
apples for sandwiches on whole grain Belen Bakery breads, or tuck avocado,
tomato and sprouts into pita bread pockets from Baba Foods. The market is bursting
with every color of cherry tomatoes and kids eat them like candy. Fresh apples,
plums or oranges make perfect endings and keep those little minds working.
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THINK FIG!
Figs have a fleeting season and they’re at the Little Italy farmers’ market
now, so enjoy them while you can. Polito Farms offers black, brown and yellow,
Schaner Farms has Osborn and Brown Turkey figs, and Rainbow Farms Nursery is
back this week with their amazing variety of this tantalizing fruit. Figs are
perfect as snacks, in amazing appetizers, and as an addition to baked goods
that adds not only natural sweetening but also humectants to extend freshness
and moisture.
Our
favorite use? This amazing bruschetta, inspired by Chef Eric Bauer
of Little Italy’s Anthology. Slice Bread & Cie baguette on diagonal into 1/2 inch slices. Spread each slice with garlic
quark from Springhill Farms. Top with sliced ripe figs from your favorite
Mercato farm stand, drizzle with Fig Balsamic from new Mercato
vendor Bistro Blends, and sprinkle with Basil microgreens from
Suzie’s Farm. Dazzle guests!
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KICKOFF PARTY?
Whether you’re entertaining your favorite football fans at home in front of
the screen, or trekking to QualComm next weekend to tailgate, the Mercato has
your ingredients and even your cooktop. We love this handy grill bucket from
the French Garden Shoppe at just $10. Use it to grill Käsekrainer wursts from
Knight Salumi made with Niman Ranch pork, use Da Le Ranch beef to make burgers
or shake things up with salmon burgers from Omega Me Well. While they’re waiting,
sports fans can crunch yellow wax beans, carrots and cauliflower from our farm
stands with a variety of dips from Lisko Imports or Richie’s Roasted Peppers,
or slurp oysters on the half shell from Poppa’s Fresh Fish.
Don’t
miss Oyster Shucking 101 at Poppa’s
booth from 11:45 to 12:30 this Saturday! |
THE POM THAT REFRESHES
We’re happy it’s cooling down, but Summer’s not quite gone. Our new favorite
spritzer? Sweet and tart pomegranate juice from Lone Oak Ranch and club soda
over ice, with a squirt of lime or Kalamansi. So refreshing!
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GOT DANCING SHOES?
Manny
Cepeda and Rico Caribe are back at the Mercato this weekend for
one last time before Manny heads back to the classroom. At the top
of the market, trumpeter Justin Malizia keeps it cool Man, cool!
Musicians interested in playing at the Little Italy Mercato can
send info to 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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FRUIT OF THE SOUL
Enjoy great music and chef’s specialties and support local charities including
Little Italy’s Monarch School at one of our favorite fundraisers, when Specialty
Produce hosts Fruit of the Soul a week from Saturday after the Mercato. For
tickets and more info: www.fruitofthesoul.org/about
KEEPING
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.
MONITOR
LITTLE ITALY
For a map of most current vendors, pick up a copy of the Summer issue of the
Mercato Monitor, your source for Little Italy farmers' market and neighborhood
news. Want to promote your business in the Monitor? Contact us now for information
regarding advertising in our big Festa issue, out October 10. Call 619.233.3769
or email mercato@littleitalysd.com.
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YOUR LOGO HERE
Wouldn't
your logo look great on one of our beautiful Mercato Banners? That's
just one of the ways that local businesses like Camden Tuscany Rental Homes and San Diego National Bank support
the Little Italy farmers' market. Interested in sponsoring a banner,
sidewalk signs or our soon-to-debut demo kitchen? Contact mercato@littleitalysd.com or
call 619.233.3769. |
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