bostonzest

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  • At the Market Report: What’s for Sale at Early Spring Farmers’ Markets

    Thanks to winter markets, wholesale customers, farm stands, and CSA's, we are seeing more ready to eat produce at early spring farmers' market. Here are some of what we saw at the Copley Farmers' Market during the past two weeks. 

    PC2_3544 - Version 22014-05-20-Asparagus-scallions- seinna Farm-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)

    Organic asparagus and scallions from Siena Farms.

    PC2_3534 - Version 22014-05-20-rhubarb-Foppema’s Farm-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Rhubarb (above) and potatoes (below) from Foppema's Farm.

    PC2_3532 - Version 22014-05-20-potatoes-Foppema’s Farm-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino 

    And, there were some new vendors this year. 

    PC2_3507 - Version 22014-05-13-golden mushrooms-ri mushroom company-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino PC2_3508 - Version 22014-05-13-shitake-mushrooms-ri mushroom company-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    RI Mushroom Company had gorgeous, golden oyster and shiitake mushrooms. (Click on any photo for a larger view.)

    DSC_2038 - Version 22014-05-13-beef-river-rock-farm-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    River Rock Beef was on hand with their Grass Fed beef cuts. We bought a hanger steak.

    DSC_2053 - Version 22014-05-13-goat cheese-crystal-brook-farm-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino 

    And, of course, the specialty food folks were on hand with their wonderful products. From Crystal Brook Farm's goat cheese …

    DSC_2067 - Version 22014-05-13-fastachi-muts-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    … to Fastachi's selection of artisan roasted nuts and nut products. We're addicted to their roasted almonds.

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    Here's what we bought on opening day at Copley this year. On Friday, we arrived too late for tomatoes and cucumbers from Atlas Farm. They were sold out before we arrived. With early spring markets, it's good to arrive at opening if you're hoping for scare crops like those.

    Starters, Annuals, and Herb Plants, too!

    DSC_2077 - Version 22014-05-13-mints-herb-lycium-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Mint plants from Foppema's.

    DSC_2080 - Version 22014-05-13-sages-herb-lycium-copley-square-farmer-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)

    Many sage varieties from the Herb Lyceum at Gilson's.

    Boston Public Market on the Greenway (North End)

    PC2_3562 - Version 22014-05-21tomatoes- greenway- Freitas Farm-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We stopped by opening day of the new location for the former City Hall Farmers' Market. It is now called the The Boston Public Market on the Greenway and is located a few steps from the MBTA Haymarket Station in front of the building that will become The Boston Public Market. (Map)

    PC2_3559 - Version 22014-05-21tomatoes- greenway- Freitas Farm-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1) 

    We may have missed out on tomatoes at Friday's Copley Square Market, but Freitas Farm had both medium salad tomatoes and the lovely baskets of cherry tomatoes shown above.

    Updates from Other Food Lovers:

    Here's a great photo report on the opening of the Union Square Market in Somerville from that great resource Somerville Beat.

    Here's a Boston Chowhound Conversation on Late May Farmers' Markets, Farm Stands, and CSAs

    Our Related Posts:

    Summer Farmers' Markets Opening Dates 2014

    Here are more of our Local Food/Farmers' Market posts.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Memorial Day: Make a Summer Bucket List!

    This holiday marks the unofficial start of summer and heralds the best month of the year* in Boston. It's the perfect day to make a Summer 2014 Bucket List of places you want to go and things you want to do in the warmer months.

    IMG_7391 - Version 22014-05-02-back-bay-boston-brownstone-flowers-garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    It could be something as simple as slowing down as you walk around the city to enjoy beautiful gardens and floral displays like this one.

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     Perhaps you want to take an art class or just get out and draw or paint.

    PC2_3076 - Version 22014-04-25provincetown, reflections,© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Or, you might want to make reservations to visit your favorite places.

    Make your list, check it twice, and get out and enjoy summer in Boston.

    * By the way, for us, the best month of the year in Boston is June. Most of the students are gone, there are few conventions or events, and the tourists have not yet arrived in droves. It's a great time to stay in the city and enjoy it as if you were a vistor. That's the top item on our Summer Bucket List and we plan to check it off with a big smile.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Memorial Day: Make a Summer Bucket List!

    This holiday marks the unofficial start of summer and heralds the best month of the year* in Boston. It's the perfect day to make a Summer 2014 Bucket List of places you want to go and things you want to do in the warmer months.

    IMG_7391 - Version 22014-05-02-back-bay-boston-brownstone-flowers-garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    It could be something as simple as slowing down as you walk around the city to enjoy beautiful gardens and floral displays like this one.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340120a92d2760970b-800wi

     Perhaps you want to take an art class or just get out and draw or paint.

    PC2_3076 - Version 22014-04-25provincetown, reflections,© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Or, you might want to make reservations to visit your favorite places.

    Make your list, check it twice, and get out and enjoy summer in Boston.

    * By the way, for us, the best month of the year in Boston is June. Most of the students are gone, there are few conventions or events, and the tourists have not yet arrived in droves. It's a great time to stay in the city and enjoy it as if you were a vistor. That's the top item on our Summer Bucket List and we plan to check it off with a big smile.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • The Lobster Pot in Provincetown… For Take Out Too!

    The Lobster Pot in Provincetown is a familar place to most people who visit Provincetown. You may think of it as a spot to eat, in the center of town, with waterfront dining rooms. You may not realize that you can also stop by to order live lobsters or have them prepare a ready-to-eat take out order of anything on the menu.

    PC2_2997 - Version 42014-04-24provincetown, lobster, steamers, bread, salad,© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We always have at least one lobster dinner during our Ptown vacations. One day this spring, we had the Lobster Pot cook a couple of big lobsters, some steamers, and at the suggestion of a very nice staff person we added bread and salad. We feasted back at the apartment and had plenty of lobster left over for lobster rolls the next day.

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    In summer, you can place your order at the raw bar just inside the front door. If it's one of the slower times of year, like it was when we visited, you just go back to the service bar and the bartender will take care of you.

    PC2_3341 - Version 22014-04-29-lobster-pot-provincetown-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Stop by on your first stroll through town and pick up a paper copy of the menu or download a PDF copy here.

    That way, you'll be ready to call in or visit with an order when you want to have a Lobster Pot feast at your Provincetown home base or on the beach if that's your pleasure.

    Here's a link to all of our Provincetown posts.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Provincetown in Early Spring
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    My 10 Most Memorable Meals while Traveling
    Ross' Grill : A Long Time Provincetown Favorite

  • The Lobster Pot in Provincetown… For Take Out Too!

    The Lobster Pot in Provincetown is a familar place to most people who visit Provincetown. You may think of it as a spot to eat, in the center of town, with waterfront dining rooms. You may not realize that you can also stop by to order live lobsters or have them prepare a ready-to-eat take out order of anything on the menu.

    PC2_2997 - Version 42014-04-24provincetown, lobster, steamers, bread, salad,© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We always have at least one lobster dinner during our Ptown vacations. One day this spring, we had the Lobster Pot cook a couple of big lobsters, some steamers, and at the suggestion of a very nice staff person we added bread and salad. We feasted back at the apartment and had plenty of lobster left over for lobster rolls the next day.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834019102a3db52970c-800wi

    In summer, you can place your order at the raw bar just inside the front door. If it's one of the slower times of year, like it was when we visited, you just go back to the service bar and the bartender will take care of you.

    PC2_3341 - Version 22014-04-29-lobster-pot-provincetown-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Stop by on your first stroll through town and pick up a paper copy of the menu or download a PDF copy here.

    That way, you'll be ready to call in or visit with an order when you want to have a Lobster Pot feast at your Provincetown home base or on the beach if that's your pleasure.

    Here's a link to all of our Provincetown posts.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Provincetown in Early Spring
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    My 10 Most Memorable Meals while Traveling
    Ross' Grill : A Long Time Provincetown Favorite

  • Visit “Made by Hand: an Exhibit of Extraordinary Craftsmanship”

    For the rest of the month, "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" will allow you to see the work of the students and alumni of Boston's remarkable North Bennet Street School.

    Wolcott Hall Table

    Sheraton Hall Table Artist: Bradly Wolcott, 2012 graduate of the school’s cabinet & furniture program
    Materials: mahogany, satinwood, holly, ebony

    The school describes this exhibit as:

    "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" features dozens of one-of-a-kind objects created by North Bennet Street School students and alumni – including a classic Sheraton hall table, an exquisite diamond sapphire ring, several handsomely finished violins and intricately constructed hand-bound books."

    HaloPendantwSpessCab_crop

    Halo Pendant Artist: Geraldine Kish Perry, 2000 graduate of the school’s jewelry making program
    Materials: 18kg and spessartite garnet pendant

    So, if you happen to be on the Greenway during the week or are looking for a destination for a visit to that area, here's the scoop. (Note: this is not open on weekends.)

    WildFlowers2-ErinFletcher

    Field Book of Western Wild Flowers by Margaret Armstrong Artist: Erin Fletcher, 2013 graduate of the school’s bookbinding program Materials: leather, embroidery, acrylic, handmade paper, gouache, gold leaf

    QUICK FACTS:
    Event: Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship
    Where: Main Lobby, Two International Place, Boston, MA
    When: Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 30, 2014
    Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
    Admission: Free
    Handicap Access: Yes
    Reservations: Not required.
    Nearest parking: Two International Place garage and limited street parking (metered).
    Nearest T stops: South Station (Red line), Aquarium (Blue Line)
    More Information: call 617-227-0155, ext. 170; visit http://www.nbss.edu/ae2014; or email cjankowski@nbss.edu.

    What's on your Artistic Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your arts & craft needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: courtesy of North Bennet Street School

  • Visit “Made by Hand: an Exhibit of Extraordinary Craftsmanship”

    For the rest of the month, "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" will allow you to see the work of the students and alumni of Boston's remarkable North Bennet Street School.

    Wolcott Hall Table

    Sheraton Hall Table Artist: Bradly Wolcott, 2012 graduate of the school’s cabinet & furniture program
    Materials: mahogany, satinwood, holly, ebony

    The school describes this exhibit as:

    "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" features dozens of one-of-a-kind objects created by North Bennet Street School students and alumni – including a classic Sheraton hall table, an exquisite diamond sapphire ring, several handsomely finished violins and intricately constructed hand-bound books."

    HaloPendantwSpessCab_crop

    Halo Pendant Artist: Geraldine Kish Perry, 2000 graduate of the school’s jewelry making program
    Materials: 18kg and spessartite garnet pendant

    So, if you happen to be on the Greenway during the week or are looking for a destination for a visit to that area, here's the scoop. (Note: this is not open on weekends.)

    WildFlowers2-ErinFletcher

    Field Book of Western Wild Flowers by Margaret Armstrong Artist: Erin Fletcher, 2013 graduate of the school’s bookbinding program Materials: leather, embroidery, acrylic, handmade paper, gouache, gold leaf

    QUICK FACTS:
    Event: Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship
    Where: Main Lobby, Two International Place, Boston, MA
    When: Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 30, 2014
    Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
    Admission: Free
    Handicap Access: Yes
    Reservations: Not required.
    Nearest parking: Two International Place garage and limited street parking (metered).
    Nearest T stops: South Station (Red line), Aquarium (Blue Line)
    More Information: call 617-227-0155, ext. 170; visit http://www.nbss.edu/ae2014; or email cjankowski@nbss.edu.

    What's on your Artistic Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your arts & craft needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: courtesy of North Bennet Street School

  • A Fresh Herb Bouquet in a Mason Jar with a Flower Frog Lid

    Don’t you love this mason jar flower frog lid? I do and it’s perfect for a handful of chives.

    DSC_2007 - Version 22014-05-13-mason-jar-top-flower-frog-herbs-chives-© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy

    We had our first roof deck outing this week and discovered that the good, old, dependable chive plants had survived even this nasty winter and were offering up fresh green goodness for our meals. I picked a few stalks and look forward to adding a few chive flowers later this week.

    I enjoy keeping a bouquet of fresh herbs on my kitchen counter, right in front of my favorite work space. It’s like having a palette of color, aroma, and flavor. And, I love all the great covers, lids, and accessories that creative inventors are marketing for mason jars.

    We bought a few at one of our favorite shops, Utilities, when we were in Provincetown. This one is also available on Amazon.

    The flower frog cover is metal (it’s not actually rusty but rather painted) and comes in a couple of colors. I think it is going to be my favorite herb vase in the months ahead.

    What’s on your Food Lover’s Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photos: © 2014 Penny Cherubino 

    Related articles
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    a DIY Indoor Herb Garden

  • A Fresh Herb Bouquet in a Mason Jar with a Flower Frog Lid

    Don’t you love this mason jar flower frog lid? I do and it’s perfect for a handful of chives.

    DSC_2007 - Version 22014-05-13-mason-jar-top-flower-frog-herbs-chives-© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy

    We had our first roof deck outing this week and discovered that the good, old, dependable chive plants had survived even this nasty winter and were offering up fresh green goodness for our meals. I picked a few stalks and look forward to adding a few chive flowers later this week.

    I enjoy keeping a bouquet of fresh herbs on my kitchen counter, right in front of my favorite work space. It’s like having a palette of color, aroma, and flavor. And, I love all the great covers, lids, and accessories that creative inventors are marketing for mason jars.

    We bought a few at one of our favorite shops, Utilities, when we were in Provincetown. This one is also available on Amazon.

    The flower frog cover is metal (it’s not actually rusty but rather painted) and comes in a couple of colors. I think it is going to be my favorite herb vase in the months ahead.

    What’s on your Food Lover’s Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photos: © 2014 Penny Cherubino 

    Related articles
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    a DIY Indoor Herb Garden

  • Describing Provincetown, MA

    PC2_2892 ©2014 Penny Cherubino,provincetown, long point, jetty, light house,© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy
    Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod is a place so beautiful that it has attracted generations of artists and writers who have found the light that bounces around from sea, sand, and sky inspiring.

    Michael Cunningham, in his book Land's End: A Walk in Provincetown, writes:

    "… the land on which Provincetown is built is essentially a sandbar, tenuously connected to the mainland, continually reconfigured by the actions of tides. When Thoreau went there in the mid-1800s, he called it 'a filmy sliver of land lying flat on the ocean, a mere reflection of a sand-bar on the haze above.' It has not changed much since then, at least not when seen from a distance. Built as it is at the very end of the Cape, which unfurls like a genie's shoe from the coastline of Massachusetts, it follows the curve of a long, lazy spiral and looks not out to sea but in, toward the thicker arm of the Cape."

    This is a very special place. It's our escape when we need a break from Boston. At the same time, it is an urban space where you can arrive by ferry or park the car and not really need it for the time you are there.

    This photo and others from our site and published work are available in our Photo Galleries over on SmugMug.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! 

        

     Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    Provincetown "Frenchie" with a Stand-in!
    Market Scene: Provincetown Farmers' Market, Massachusetts