EAT, DRINK AND BE DARING
Love the look of the Kabocha squash at Schaner Farms' booth or the arugula at La Milpa Organica? Wondering about the guava at Sage Mountain Farms' stand, or the big Asian Pears from Lone Oak Ranch? Not quite sure what to do with a cherimoya? The beauty of the Mercato Farmers' Market is that you can talk to the folks who grow the wonderful fruits and vegetables you see. Our farmers are happy to tell you how to choose them for ripeness, how to cook them and best enjoy them. Take a chance, and discover a favorite new flavor!

PASTA, RICOTTA, BRESEAOLA
After a long break to ramp up Rey's shiny new USDA approved production facility (remember, we knew him when), Knight Salumi is back with us this weekend, bearing bresaola, chorizo and salami made from locally raised beef and pork and cured to perfection.

New this week, Delaney's Culinary Fresh will offer freshly made ravioli, linguini, cannelloni, ricotta and more. We're already salivating at the thought of tossing a plate of red pepper pasta with olive oil and steamed asparagus spears, and topping it with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.

Spicy Gravy has also expanded, adding 2 new flavors of marvelous marinara sauce to their line. Pasta, marinara, a baguette from Bread and Cie with a little Basiltops Pesto for dipping, a bag of salad greens tossed with your favorite dressing...sounds like dinner.

THE BEET GOES ON
Executive Chef Joe Magnanelli of Laurel restaurant is feeling the beet! Catch Chef Joe talking about the healthy eating, and how shopping at the Little Italy Mercato can help, on San Diego 6 this Friday morning at 8 am. He'll demonstrate the wonderful Beet Terrine on the Restaurant Week menu at Laurel next week, and show you how to make it at home using ingredients from Mercato farm stands. Tune in! Eat out! And shop at the Mercato!

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

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!