bostonzest

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  • Seasonal Farmers Market Opening Dates 2019 Summer to Fall

    Here is our round up of the summer farmers markets opening dates around Boston. We visited the Copley Market's opening day today and it reminded us to share this list with our BostonZest readers.

    IMG_3506

    Early in the market season, we enjoy dishes like “Asparagus Two Ways.” Here it is roasted and starring in a simple salad of shaved asparagus, fennel, and capers.

    Boston Public Market News
    The Boston Public Market (BPM) headquartered at 100 Hanover Street, will have outdoor markets in three locations. In addition to their popular Dewey Square market (near South Station) they will have a market on City Hall Plaza and in the Seaport.

    20100518DSC_5617 - Version 2

    What Is There to Buy at Early Markets?
    You can expect a selection of storage, greenhouse, and hoop house produce at early farmers markets: mushrooms, potatoes, scallions, spinach, lettuce, and greens. In June we can hope to see strawberries, asparagus, beets, bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, peas, and radishes.

    Naturally we’ll also be offered meat, poultry, seafood, maple syrup, honey, dairy, cheese, and eggs which are not seasonal in the same way as plant-based goods.

    DSC_4672 - Version 22012-05-15-copley-square-farmers-market-opening-week-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Here are opening dates for the 2019 area seasonal markets:

    Boston Public Market: Open daily, year-round 

    May Markets
    South End/SoWa: Open Market: May 5th (Sundays)
    Copley Square: May 10th (Tuesdays & Fridays)
    Egleston Jamaica Plain: May 11th (Saturdays)
    Central Square, Cambridge: May 13th (Mondays)
    Boston Public Market at Dewey Square: May 14th (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
    Cambridge Center (Kendall MBTA): May 15th (Wednesdays)
    Davis Square, Somerville: May 15th (Wednesdays)
    Jamaica Plain (677 Centre Street): May 18th (Saturdays)
    Union Square, Somerville: May 18th (Saturdays)
    Boston Public Market at City Hall Plaza, May 21 (Tuesdays)

    June/July Markets
    Roslindale/Adams Park: June 1st (Saturdays)
    Boston Public Market at the Seaport (85 Northern Ave.) June 5th (Wednesdays)
    Brookline/Coolidge Corner: June 6th (Thursdays)
    Harvard University Farmers Market, Cambridge: June 11th (Tuesdays)
    Charlestown: Thompson Square at Main & Austin Street, June-October (Wednesdays)
    East Boston/Central Square: July 3rd (Wednesdays)

    What's on your food lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

  • Our Happy New Month Toast for March Will Be with a Prosecco…

    However, we have not decided which Prosecco, so we have chilled two of our favorites. 

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    On the left is Adami Bosco di Gica Brut Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore.

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    We have written more about that here.

    On the right is Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d2de5dc0970c-800wi

    That one was covered in this post.

    We love both of them and have been going back and forth all week about which to have. They are both light and lively and perfect for the start of our favorite hospitality season. It is traditional in parts of Italy to greet guests with a glass of prosecco. 

    They are both just 11% alcohol by volume which is an important stat for the warmer months.

    We'll have to come back and let you know which one we opened or if we opened both and took the opportunity to taste them together.  

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Our Happy New Month Toast for March Will Be with a Prosecco…

    However, we have not decided which Prosecco, so we have chilled two of our favorites. 

    IMG_3863

    On the left is Adami Bosco di Gica Brut Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401543419cdd3970c-800wi

    We have written more about that here.

    On the right is Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d2de5dc0970c-800wi

    That one was covered in this post.

    We love both of them and have been going back and forth all week about which to have. They are both light and lively and perfect for the start of our favorite hospitality season. It is traditional in parts of Italy to greet guests with a glass of prosecco. 

    They are both just 11% alcohol by volume which is an important stat for the warmer months.

    We'll have to come back and let you know which one we opened or if we opened both and took the opportunity to taste them together.  

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Go to Toro and Order This Combo! It’s a Best Bite…

    IMG_3247

    It had been a while since we'd visited Toro, but at two recent lunches, we really enjoyed this combo of tomato bread ("Pan con Tomate -Toasted bread, tomato, garlic" on the menu) and Chorizo ibérico de Fermín proving that simple, high quality ingredients, perfectly prepared and presented can be wonderful. 

    That board was filled with slices of the most delicious chorizo before we tucked in, and the tomato bread had a perfect, crisp, grilled bottom to stand up to being handheld as you munch. A glass of sherry or a beer will match this snack well. 

    Try it the next time you're in the area. By the way, if you have found Toro too busy and too noisy, we highly recommend visiting at lunch time on a weekday. 

    IMG_3253 IMG_3241

    Toro, 1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

    617-536-4300

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Here's something we love having in our kitchen. It's perfect for getting all the foam out of our Nespresso Aerocchino frother.

     

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Go to Toro and Order This Combo! It’s a Best Bite…

    IMG_3247

    It had been a while since we'd visited Toro, but at two recent lunches, we really enjoyed this combo of tomato bread ("Pan con Tomate -Toasted bread, tomato, garlic" on the menu) and Chorizo ibérico de Fermín proving that simple, high quality ingredients, perfectly prepared and presented can be wonderful. 

    That board was filled with slices of the most delicious chorizo before we tucked in, and the tomato bread had a perfect, crisp, grilled bottom to stand up to being handheld as you munch. A glass of sherry or a beer will match this snack well. 

    Try it the next time you're in the area. By the way, if you have found Toro too busy and too noisy, we highly recommend visiting at lunch time on a weekday. 

    IMG_3253 IMG_3241

    Toro, 1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

    617-536-4300

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Here's something we love having in our kitchen. It's perfect for getting all the foam out of our Nespresso Aerocchino frother.

     

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • No Fooling! Our April 1st Toast Will Be with a Glass of Artomaña Txakolina

    Why Artomaña Txakolina? We wanted to pick a wine that would be fun and a bit of a surprise for our toast to April 1st. Txakolinas are just that. These wines from the Basque region are light, lively, low-alcohol, food-friendly, and the tiny supply that reaches our shores usually shows up this time of year.

    AT-X

    We scanned our wine rack and grabbed a bottle we had picked up somewhere in our travels. As we tried to remember where, that star on the label brought back a special memory. We think this is the first Txakolina we ever tasted many years ago at Tinto in Philadelphia. This was before Chef/Owner Jose Garces was well known. If he's as gracious to his guests these days as he was to us back then he will always be a success.

    We'll add him to our toast as we pour a glass of this wine from on-high with the help of our special Txakoli pourer.

    IMG_3393

    Tidbits you might want to know if you'd like to try this wine:

    • In the Basque language TX is pronounce CHA, so this wine is pronounced “chah-kuh-leena.”
    • And, if your server is in the know, the wine will be poured from high above the glass to aerate it and activate the fizz.
    • Finally, that glass may be a large tumbler rather than a stemmed wine glass.

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • No Fooling! Our April 1st Toast Will Be with a Glass of Artomaña Txakolina

    Why Artomaña Txakolina? We wanted to pick a wine that would be fun and a bit of a surprise for our toast to April 1st. Txakolinas are just that. These wines from the Basque region are light, lively, low-alcohol, food-friendly, and the tiny supply that reaches our shores usually shows up this time of year.

    AT-X

    We scanned our wine rack and grabbed a bottle we had picked up somewhere in our travels. As we tried to remember where, that star on the label brought back a special memory. We think this is the first Txakolina we ever tasted many years ago at Tinto in Philadelphia. This was before Chef/Owner Jose Garces was well known. If he's as gracious to his guests these days as he was to us back then he will always be a success.

    We'll add him to our toast as we pour a glass of this wine from on-high with the help of our special Txakoli pourer.

    IMG_3393

    Tidbits you might want to know if you'd like to try this wine:

    • In the Basque language TX is pronounce CHA, so this wine is pronounced “chah-kuh-leena.”
    • And, if your server is in the know, the wine will be poured from high above the glass to aerate it and activate the fizz.
    • Finally, that glass may be a large tumbler rather than a stemmed wine glass.

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne Wraps Up Our Year of Monthly Toasts with Favorite Sparkling Wines

    As our year of monthly toasts with old favorites comes to an end, we will enjoy a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne. It ticks all the boxes for what we love in a Champagne.

    IMG_2471

    We often will compare Pinot-forward sparkling wines to Bollinger when judging what we like or don't like about them. This outstanding cuvée is the perfect choice to complete our goal of toasting each month in 2018 with an old favorite instead of auditioning twelve new contenders. Besides, enjoying time with old friends is always a good idea.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we've raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month. We invite you to join our Sparkling Resolution and raise a glass of something sparkling on the first of each month in 2019!

    IMG_2475 (1)

    Here's what the winemakers tell us about Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne.

    For people like us who just buy a bottle of wine and enjoy it because we know we love it, taking a fresh look at the official notes can actually give us different nuances to look for and enjoy.

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    Details

    "Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier. Over 85% Grands and Premiers crus. 

    Maturation: cellar aged for more than twice the time required by the appellation. 

    Dosage: moderate, 8 to 9 grams per liter."

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016767f20185970b-800wi

    Tasting Notes

    "To the eye: a golden colour, distinctive of black grape varieties; very fine bubbles. 

    To the nose: a beautiful aromatic complexity ; ripe fruit and spicy aromas ; hints of roasted apples, apple compote and peaches. 
    On the palate: a subtle combination of structure, length and vivacity ; bubbles like velvet ; pear, brioche and spicy aromas, notes of fresh walnut."
     
    Bollinger is a Champagne to share with special friends to celebrate life's special moments or to pop open when the wine itself is to be the occasion.

    We purchased our bottle at Federal Wine and Spirits, but it is widely available and can occasionally be found at bargain prices. Expect to see it in the $60 to $70 range.

    Here's to 2019. Cheers!

     

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne Wraps Up Our Year of Monthly Toasts with Favorite Sparkling Wines

    As our year of monthly toasts with old favorites comes to an end, we will enjoy a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne. It ticks all the boxes for what we love in a Champagne.

    IMG_2471

    We often will compare Pinot-forward sparkling wines to Bollinger when judging what we like or don't like about them. This outstanding cuvée is the perfect choice to complete our goal of toasting each month in 2018 with an old favorite instead of auditioning twelve new contenders. Besides, enjoying time with old friends is always a good idea.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we've raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month. We invite you to join our Sparkling Resolution and raise a glass of something sparkling on the first of each month in 2019!

    IMG_2475 (1)

    Here's what the winemakers tell us about Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne.

    For people like us who just buy a bottle of wine and enjoy it because we know we love it, taking a fresh look at the official notes can actually give us different nuances to look for and enjoy.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016767f2467e970b-800wi

    Details

    "Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier. Over 85% Grands and Premiers crus. 

    Maturation: cellar aged for more than twice the time required by the appellation. 

    Dosage: moderate, 8 to 9 grams per liter."

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016767f20185970b-800wi

    Tasting Notes

    "To the eye: a golden colour, distinctive of black grape varieties; very fine bubbles. 

    To the nose: a beautiful aromatic complexity ; ripe fruit and spicy aromas ; hints of roasted apples, apple compote and peaches. 
    On the palate: a subtle combination of structure, length and vivacity ; bubbles like velvet ; pear, brioche and spicy aromas, notes of fresh walnut."
     
    Bollinger is a Champagne to share with special friends to celebrate life's special moments or to pop open when the wine itself is to be the occasion.

    We purchased our bottle at Federal Wine and Spirits, but it is widely available and can occasionally be found at bargain prices. Expect to see it in the $60 to $70 range.

    Here's to 2019. Cheers!

     

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • BagPodz Reusable Shopping Bag Kit Is the Perfect Special Gift for Special People

    With the advent of the plastic shopping bag ban in Boston, we have been giving some of the special people in our lives a BagPodz set. This has been one of Penny's favorite finds of the past year. 

    Screen Shot 2018-12-19 at Wednesday December 19 20182.04.03 PM

    We have to admit, whenever possible, we opt out of gift exchanges among our friends for holidays and special occasions. What we prefer to do is find something like this that makes life easier and really works, we buy a few and give them to the people who will make the most of them.

    IMG_2479

    The special people we're giving these to are the ones who call when they're going shopping and ask if we, as car-free friends, would like to come along. For the past year, unpacking the car on these trips has been easier because everyone knows that the lime green bags are ours. To keep things easy, we bought the other colors for our wonderful drivers. 

    Screen Shot 2018-12-19 at Wednesday December 19 20182.13.28 PM

    In the photo of our green bags (above), you see that they're the size of the simple t-shirt shopping bags that have been banned. Unlike the flimsy free bags, they can hold a lot of weight without showing any strain. They come in kits of 5 or 10, but you really want the 10. Read on to see why.

    We do have a supply of plastic bags for very wet or messy items, but in the case of a spill, the BagPodz bags pop right in the washer and come back strong. 

    We each carry one or two of the mighty green bags folded up and held with an elastic in our pockets or backpacks for those serendipitous shopping stops. With a moment of careful folding, they even fit in the back pocket of our jeans. 

    Not only do we love them, but they've also become a great hit with supermarket cashiers and baggers. You open the zipper and they pull out as many bags as they need. At the end of the order, we remind them to add the bag holder to the last bag. When we arrive home, we open the end and push all the clean bags into the holder and toss any wet ones in the laundry. They make our lives easier!

    Who are the special people in your life who will love this special gift?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino