IT'S EGGPLANT SEASON
Whether you use it for Italian favorites like Eggplant Parmesan or a chunky Caponata to top your bruschetta, or for a simple Ratatouille with heirloom tomatoes and zucchini from the Little Italy farmers' market, eggplant is a versatile addition to any hearty meal. Layer slices into your favorite lasagna recipe or grill them coated lightly with olive oil to use as a side dish or on a Panini or salad. While you're shopping, look for eggplant that is heavy in the hand, with a fresh stem and skin that gives slightly when you press it gently. Since eggplant gets bitter as it ages, the Mercato is a perfect place to buy yours farm-fresh. |
SHELLFISH PLEASURES
Little Italy was founded by fishermen, and it's no surprise that our shoppers are big fans of seafood of all kinds. World Famous Fish sells a variety of smoked and fresh filets, Omega Me Well offers luscious smoked salmon, lox, salmon jerky and salmon burgers, and Eat Your Fish brings in freshly-caught sea urchins. All we were missing was great shellfish and starting this week Poppa's Fresh Fish will offer oysters, live clams and mussels, shrimp and more. We can't wait! Guess who's having shrimp and fresh pasta for dinner this Saturday? |
WE KEEP GROWING
The Little Italy Mercato farmers' market now stretches to Kettner Boulevard, with the recent addition of more certified producers like Heritage Family Farms, Randazzo Farms, Rivera Treasure Garden, Zalinda Farms and Paradise Valley Ranch. We're almost full now, and filling those last few spaces with just the right offerings. How about you? What would you like us to add to the Mercato? Email mercato@littleitalysd.com and let us know.
|
DELICIOUSLY ITALIAN
Signed copies of Deliciously Italian, by local authors Frederico and Stephen Moramarco are available now at the Top of the Mercato for just $10.95, or packaged with Italian Pride: 101 Reasons to be Proud You're Italian, by the same authors, for just $20. Even if you're just an honorary Italian, you'll love these. Watch for monthly cookbook signings and demos at the Mercato starting next month!
|
HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCHES
Join us on August 22, when Chef Ryan Johnston, Executive Chef of WhisknLadle and Prepkitchen in La Jolla, will show us how to use fresh farmers' market ingredients to prepare healthy and delicious school lunches. Johnston features local produce and ingredients on his restaurant menus. Less famously, he's an expert on nutrition and developing menus to meet dietary needs. His ideas will help you keep your kids happy and healthy at lunchtime. |
Photos
by Ramona d'Viola, April Gillette, and Tim Stahl. |
|
|
Shop the Little Italy Mercato every Saturday from 9 am to 1:30
pm, year-round. Shop Date Street from Kettner to Union
|
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.
JAZZING IT UP
You've enjoyed his jazz and ballads at Seaport Village and now guitarist Yves Vincent will be at the Mercato this Saturday to make your shopping more melodic. Musicians interested in playing at the Little Italy Mercato can send info to MERCATO
MUSIC for scheduling details.
VOTE
FOR
THE MERCATO
Click the button above to help the Little Italy Mercato be recognized as
America's favorite farmers' market and win $5,000 from Care2.com and LocalHarvest.org.
After you vote, email your friends and family, or use Facebook, Twitter
or your favorite social networking tool and ask them to vote using this
link. Thanks for spreading the word!
|
DATE
STREET BANNERS
There
are a variety of ways that local businesses like Anthology and San
Diego Harley-Davidson support
the Little Italy Mercato. Interested in sponsoring a banner, sidewalk
signs or our soon-to-debut demo kitchen? Contact mercato@littleitalysd.com or
call 619.233.3769. |
|
