bostonzest

Category: Food: Local/Farmers’ Markets

  • Cole Slaw and Portuguese Muffins Make for a Great Ham Sandwich

    Portuguese muffins, also called Bolos Levedos, are always on the list for my monthly food shopping loop through Somerville and Cambridge. I've recently noticed more and more chef using these light, slightly sweet flatbreads as a base for burgers.

    IMG_7080

    They recently became part of this very delicious ham sandwich from our kitchen.

    If you read the ingredients on many of the local products you won't find preservatives. Because of that, I cut most of a package of 6 muffins in half, wrap them in wax paper and freeze them. Then when we need something for a snack, or as a sandwich base, we reach for one and pop it in the toaster. 

    IMG_7066

    I spread each side with a swipe of Stonewall Kitchen's Bourbon Molasses Mustard. It's one of my favorite condiments. I stock up on it on visits to Russo's.

    IMG_7068

    A bowl of my tangy cole slaw was in the refrigerator so I piled that on one muffin half and stacked some slices of ham on the other. (How I make my no-mayo coleslaw is covered in an earlier post.)

    IMG_7072

    Now, when I think about a sandwich with a lot of filling, I'm going to think Portuguese muffins. It holds up under the contents and is much easier to eat than many alternatives. 

    If you want to make your own Bolos Levedos here's a recipe with nice clear instructions. It's from Maria Dias author of Taste Portugal. Since the cook in a hot skillet, you won't have to fire the oven to enjoy these as a homemade bread. 

    You can also make them from this King Arthur Flour Portuguese Sweet Bread Mix.

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Our Search Is on for the Best Jamaican Patties in Boston!

    We are missing the Jamaican Patties we enjoy in Provincetown and are now on the hunt for the best of Boston's offerings of this savory meat pie.

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    In Provincetown, we pick up a few at Far Land Provisions and heat them as a quick snack or to accompany a salad as a meal. 

    The flaky example above is from Izzy's on the corner of Windsor and Harvard Streets in Cambridge (map). We grabbed a few to go and enjoyed a great, quick lunch after a morning round of food shopping in Somerville and Cambridge.

    We're making a list of the places where we will order upcoming Jamaican Patties or as some people call them Jamaican Meat Pies. We've done our research and will report back, but we'd love your opinions. 

    IMG_7045

    Most of the Jamaican Patties served in Boston come from major suppliers like the Tower Isles version shown above. Look for lettering on them, which may be obscured by the flaking of the crust.

    IMG_7029

    Even with the commercial versions, the way a particular place prepares and holds the patties does make a difference to the quality.

    Who serves great versions of this Caribbean classic? Do you know of places that make their own from scratch? Do you have a favorite frozen version and where do you buy those?

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Our Search Is on for the Best Jamaican Patties in Boston!

    We are missing the Jamaican Patties we enjoy in Provincetown and are now on the hunt for the best of Boston's offerings of this savory meat pie.

    Sm IMG_7023 (1) copy

    In Provincetown, we pick up a few at Far Land Provisions and heat them as a quick snack or to accompany a salad as a meal. 

    The flaky example above is from Izzy's on the corner of Windsor and Harvard Streets in Cambridge (map). We grabbed a few to go and enjoyed a great, quick lunch after a morning round of food shopping in Somerville and Cambridge.

    We're making a list of the places where we will order upcoming Jamaican Patties or as some people call them Jamaican Meat Pies. We've done our research and will report back, but we'd love your opinions. 

    IMG_7045

    Most of the Jamaican Patties served in Boston come from major suppliers like the Tower Isles version shown above. Look for lettering on them, which may be obscured by the flaking of the crust.

    IMG_7029

    Even with the commercial versions, the way a particular place prepares and holds the patties does make a difference to the quality.

    Who serves great versions of this Caribbean classic? Do you know of places that make their own from scratch? Do you have a favorite frozen version and where do you buy those?

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Rhubarb, Ginger Crostata Recipe from Leite’s Culinaria

    Okay, when you click on this link to Leite’s Culinaria to get the recipe, it will just say Rhubarb Crostata, but the ginger sets this simple tart on a rung high above similar recipes.

    IMG_2480

    I'm sure a few long-time readers are surprised to see a recipe for baked goods here because I'm not a baker, I'm a cook. But this dessert is so simple and quick that it should be part of every cook's repertoire.

    I had posted the recipe on social media when it popped up on my daily reading list. (As you know from this previous Friday Link post, Leite’s Culinaria is one of my favorite sites.)

    A friend saw it and delivered a big bag of her own freshly cut rhubarb with a note saying, "I was totally inspired by your rhubarb post this week …"

    IMG_9890 - Version 22016-05-19-rhubarb-crostata-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Just imagine walking into a summer potluck with a tray of these beauties made with whatever fruit is in season. 

    IMG_7012 - Version 22016-05-19-rhubarb-crostata-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    My Version with a Major Shortcut

    I used Trader Joe's frozen pie crust instead of making my own. Thanks to this excellent, flaky crust and the ease of making crostata, I do make these pastries from time to time.

    I've been using it since back in 2010 when Erin Zimmer, one of my editors at Serious Eats, tested it. She was right, it is crumbly. But this is an informal dessert and a few crumbles are fine. 

    My work to make this dessert consisted of cleaning and cutting the rhubarb, grating the ginger, and tossing those with the other ingredients.

    I also used less sugar as suggested by one of the recipe testers. And, because I thought it would add depth and round out the sharp notes of the rhubarb and ginger, I used half light brown sugar and half raw sugar.

    IMG_9886 - Version 22016-05-19-rhubarb-crostata-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    A Few Tips:

    • The frozen dough takes time to thaw. I moved it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight and it still had to sit on the counter for an hour before it was ready to use without cracking and breaking.
    • I used local, organic ginger from Old Friends Farm. I keep a supply of this zesty alternative in my freezer and just grate it in its frozen state.
    • Once thawed, I left the pie crust between its layers of plastic and used my hands to reseal a few cracks. That meant no rolling pin or floury counter to clean.
    • You can use the bottom piece of the plastic to help flip the pastry onto your prepared baking sheet. Pile on the filling then flip up the sides in your most casual manner.  

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Be sure to add David Leite's wonderful cookbook, The New Portuguese Table.

      

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino

    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Related articles
    Dogs in Danger from the Xylitol Around Your Home
    Do You Have a Signature Dish that You Bring to Food Gatherings?
    Daytrip to the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA
    How To Make A Fern Pie Crust

  • Rhubarb, Ginger Crostata Recipe from Leite’s Culinaria

    Okay, when you click on this link to Leite’s Culinaria to get the recipe, it will just say Rhubarb Crostata, but the ginger sets this simple tart on a rung high above similar recipes.

    IMG_2480

    I'm sure a few long-time readers are surprised to see a recipe for baked goods here because I'm not a baker, I'm a cook. But this dessert is so simple and quick that it should be part of every cook's repertoire.

    I had posted the recipe on social media when it popped up on my daily reading list. (As you know from this previous Friday Link post, Leite’s Culinaria is one of my favorite sites.)

    A friend saw it and delivered a big bag of her own freshly cut rhubarb with a note saying, "I was totally inspired by your rhubarb post this week …"

    IMG_9890 - Version 22016-05-19-rhubarb-crostata-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Just imagine walking into a summer potluck with a tray of these beauties made with whatever fruit is in season. 

    IMG_7012 - Version 22016-05-19-rhubarb-crostata-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    My Version with a Major Shortcut

    I used Trader Joe's frozen pie crust instead of making my own. Thanks to this excellent, flaky crust and the ease of making crostata, I do make these pastries from time to time.

    I've been using it since back in 2010 when Erin Zimmer, one of my editors at Serious Eats, tested it. She was right, it is crumbly. But this is an informal dessert and a few crumbles are fine. 

    My work to make this dessert consisted of cleaning and cutting the rhubarb, grating the ginger, and tossing those with the other ingredients.

    I also used less sugar as suggested by one of the recipe testers. And, because I thought it would add depth and round out the sharp notes of the rhubarb and ginger, I used half light brown sugar and half raw sugar.

    IMG_9886 - Version 22016-05-19-rhubarb-crostata-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    A Few Tips:

    • The frozen dough takes time to thaw. I moved it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight and it still had to sit on the counter for an hour before it was ready to use without cracking and breaking.
    • I used local, organic ginger from Old Friends Farm. I keep a supply of this zesty alternative in my freezer and just grate it in its frozen state.
    • Once thawed, I left the pie crust between its layers of plastic and used my hands to reseal a few cracks. That meant no rolling pin or floury counter to clean.
    • You can use the bottom piece of the plastic to help flip the pastry onto your prepared baking sheet. Pile on the filling then flip up the sides in your most casual manner.  

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Be sure to add David Leite's wonderful cookbook, The New Portuguese Table.

      

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino

    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Related articles
    Dogs in Danger from the Xylitol Around Your Home
    Do You Have a Signature Dish that You Bring to Food Gatherings?
    Daytrip to the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA
    How To Make A Fern Pie Crust

  • Vacation from Cooking (Well Almost) with Tips for Planning Take-Out Meals

    In April, we took a two-week vacation to our favorite, little beach house on Provincetown Harbor. The tiny house has a complete kitchen and this particular unit at the Bayshore/Chandler complex is well equipped for a cook with good pans, solid cutting boards, and sharp knives. But this year I decided to take a break from cooking and enjoy the wonderful take-out options that are now available year-round in Ptown.

    IMG_6630 Scallops ©2016 Penny Cherubino

    I did sear off some scallops for Ed on a couple of evenings. Mac's Fish House Provincetown offers pristine seafood in the market adjacent to their restaurant.

    IMG_6637

    They would have been happy to cook a lobster for me, but past experience told me the lobster meat offered by the pound would make an excellent lobster roll without the work of cracking and cleaning the crustacean. 

    Food-case

    Take-Out options at Far Land Provisions change daily. (Photo courtesy of Far Land Provisions website)

    Casual Dining Options

    Having a full kitchen and comfortable indoor and outdoor dining areas opens up your food options. You don't have to dine out, but you are also not required to cook. Breakfast is pretty routine for us. We both prefer oatmeal and fruit. Once settled and unpacked, we make a supermarket run and stock up on breakfast food, drinks, salad ingredients, and snacks. After that, we try to add some prepared food each day from local shops like Angel Foods and Far Land Provisions. 

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    Shepherd's pie from Angel Foods with layers of meat, vegetables, and potatoes

    Tips For Vacation Take-Out

    After years of practice, we've come up with some recommendations for those who may decide to supplement dining out with some take-out food in a vacation rental. 

    • Early in the vacation, if you have a larger group, a roasted chicken can be a good start on having a protein supply on hand.
    • To be sure we would use up our chicken (and because I wasn't planning to cook anything that might use a whole chicken), we opted for grilled chicken breasts. Sliced, they can be used for sandwiches or tossed in salads.
    • To ensure we kept up a fairly balanced diet, we tried to have a variety of fruits & vegetables on hand along with dairy, grains, and protein – which in our case meant lots of fresh seafood.
    • Prepared meals like the shepherd's pie from Angel Foods (shown in the photo above) offered an easy but healthy, balanced dinner.
    • Don't forget the soups. We always pick up a frozen soup from Angel Foods as a part of our first supply run. Then there's something for anyone who wants a lighter meal. And, if you don't use it, it will help keep the cooler chilled on the return trip.
    • Grilled salmon from Farland is another wonderful base for a meal. You can warm it, enjoy it cold, add it to salads, or mash it with some sour cream to top toast. 
    • Farmers markets, when they are open, can be great fun on vacation. In Provincetown, we enjoy seeing old friends like the folks from Silverbrook Farm in a different setting. 
    • Enjoy favorite foods from favorite places. They were not open for the season during our April trip, but this fall we'll be sure to have the clam chowder (photo below) from The Canteen.
    • Remember the full-service restaurants. Some of these will be happy to prepare a take-out meal for your enjoyment. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834019aff691278970b-800wi

    Clam Chowder from The Canteen in Provincetown.

     What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Daytrip to the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA
    Growing Fond of the Boston Public Garden Fence
    Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!

  • Vacation from Cooking (Well Almost) with Tips for Planning Take-Out Meals

    In April, we took a two-week vacation to our favorite, little beach house on Provincetown Harbor. The tiny house has a complete kitchen and this particular unit at the Bayshore/Chandler complex is well equipped for a cook with good pans, solid cutting boards, and sharp knives. But this year I decided to take a break from cooking and enjoy the wonderful take-out options that are now available year-round in Ptown.

    IMG_6630 Scallops ©2016 Penny Cherubino

    I did sear off some scallops for Ed on a couple of evenings. Mac's Fish House Provincetown offers pristine seafood in the market adjacent to their restaurant.

    IMG_6637

    They would have been happy to cook a lobster for me, but past experience told me the lobster meat offered by the pound would make an excellent lobster roll without the work of cracking and cleaning the crustacean. 

    Food-case

    Take-Out options at Far Land Provisions change daily. (Photo courtesy of Far Land Provisions website)

    Casual Dining Options

    Having a full kitchen and comfortable indoor and outdoor dining areas opens up your food options. You don't have to dine out, but you are also not required to cook. Breakfast is pretty routine for us. We both prefer oatmeal and fruit. Once settled and unpacked, we make a supermarket run and stock up on breakfast food, drinks, salad ingredients, and snacks. After that, we try to add some prepared food each day from local shops like Angel Foods and Far Land Provisions. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c327c2d1a970b-800wi

    Shepherd's pie from Angel Foods with layers of meat, vegetables, and potatoes

    Tips For Vacation Take-Out

    After years of practice, we've come up with some recommendations for those who may decide to supplement dining out with some take-out food in a vacation rental. 

    • Early in the vacation, if you have a larger group, a roasted chicken can be a good start on having a protein supply on hand.
    • To be sure we would use up our chicken (and because I wasn't planning to cook anything that might use a whole chicken), we opted for grilled chicken breasts. Sliced, they can be used for sandwiches or tossed in salads.
    • To ensure we kept up a fairly balanced diet, we tried to have a variety of fruits & vegetables on hand along with dairy, grains, and protein – which in our case meant lots of fresh seafood.
    • Prepared meals like the shepherd's pie from Angel Foods (shown in the photo above) offered an easy but healthy, balanced dinner.
    • Don't forget the soups. We always pick up a frozen soup from Angel Foods as a part of our first supply run. Then there's something for anyone who wants a lighter meal. And, if you don't use it, it will help keep the cooler chilled on the return trip.
    • Grilled salmon from Farland is another wonderful base for a meal. You can warm it, enjoy it cold, add it to salads, or mash it with some sour cream to top toast. 
    • Farmers markets, when they are open, can be great fun on vacation. In Provincetown, we enjoy seeing old friends like the folks from Silverbrook Farm in a different setting. 
    • Enjoy favorite foods from favorite places. They were not open for the season during our April trip, but this fall we'll be sure to have the clam chowder (photo below) from The Canteen.
    • Remember the full-service restaurants. Some of these will be happy to prepare a take-out meal for your enjoyment. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834019aff691278970b-800wi

    Clam Chowder from The Canteen in Provincetown.

     What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Daytrip to the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA
    Growing Fond of the Boston Public Garden Fence
    Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!

  • Bountiful Selection at Early Season Farmers Markets

    These days you'll find much more than seedlings and a few greens at the first farmers markets of the season.

    IMG_6894

    Just look at what we bought on opening day of the Copley Square Farmers Market!

    Clockwise we have scallops and shrimp from Red's Best; white rye bread from Iggy's; almond butter from Fastachi; apples from Stillman's Farm; radishes and asparagus from The Kitchen Garden Farm; plus carrots, cucumbers, and greens purchased with our Atlas Farm market share.

    We could have bought a lot more but our backpacks were full and we'll be visiting the market again on Friday. 

    Http---bostonzest.typepad.com- Saturday, May 7, 20166.57.34 AM

    Stillman's Farm stand at the Boston Public Market supplied shoppers with fruit and vegetables over the winter months.

    Thanks to Year-Round Markets

    Part of the reason we have more early season offerings is the support that shoppers have given to year-round farmers markets and the Boston Public Market. 

    Having someplace to sell crops has encouraged investments in cold weather farming infrastructures such as hoop houses and greenhouses.

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    Photo © 2016 by Halley Terry Stillman, used with permission.

    Farmers can also store produce under ideal conditions resulting in crisp, crunchy apples like the Honeycrisps we bought from Stillman's Farm or the sweet spring parsnips that inspired Gordon Hamersley's parsnip soup recipe in the Boston Globe this week.

    IMG_9814

    New Additions to the Market

    Early season markets are also good places to get to know new vendors like Caroline from Kitchen Garden Farms who will be at Copley on Tuesdays. We not only added their radishes and asparagus to our shopping bags, we also sampled the Sriracha sauces (regular and habanero) they make with their own peppers. We'll put those on a future shopping list. 

    IMG_9818

    Take advantage of these May market days and visit Copley today or Friday. If not Copley, stop by another local market. Here's our List of the Opening Days of Boston area Farmers Markets.

    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!

     

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino except as noted the one of the Copley Square Stillman's stand is by Halley Terry Stillman.

  • Bountiful Selection at Early Season Farmers Markets

    These days you'll find much more than seedlings and a few greens at the first farmers markets of the season.

    IMG_6894

    Just look at what we bought on opening day of the Copley Square Farmers Market!

    Clockwise we have scallops and shrimp from Red's Best; white rye bread from Iggy's; almond butter from Fastachi; apples from Stillman's Farm; radishes and asparagus from The Kitchen Garden Farm; plus carrots, cucumbers, and greens purchased with our Atlas Farm market share.

    We could have bought a lot more but our backpacks were full and we'll be visiting the market again on Friday. 

    Http---bostonzest.typepad.com- Saturday, May 7, 20166.57.34 AM

    Stillman's Farm stand at the Boston Public Market supplied shoppers with fruit and vegetables over the winter months.

    Thanks to Year-Round Markets

    Part of the reason we have more early season offerings is the support that shoppers have given to year-round farmers markets and the Boston Public Market. 

    Having someplace to sell crops has encouraged investments in cold weather farming infrastructures such as hoop houses and greenhouses.

    13151391_1061220207290001_3526303574620319604_n

    Photo © 2016 by Halley Terry Stillman, used with permission.

    Farmers can also store produce under ideal conditions resulting in crisp, crunchy apples like the Honeycrisps we bought from Stillman's Farm or the sweet spring parsnips that inspired Gordon Hamersley's parsnip soup recipe in the Boston Globe this week.

    IMG_9814

    New Additions to the Market

    Early season markets are also good places to get to know new vendors like Caroline from Kitchen Garden Farms who will be at Copley on Tuesdays. We not only added their radishes and asparagus to our shopping bags, we also sampled the Sriracha sauces (regular and habanero) they make with their own peppers. We'll put those on a future shopping list. 

    IMG_9818

    Take advantage of these May market days and visit Copley today or Friday. If not Copley, stop by another local market. Here's our List of the Opening Days of Boston area Farmers Markets.

    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!

     

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino except as noted the one of the Copley Square Stillman's stand is by Halley Terry Stillman.

  • Market Report: Boston Area Spring to Fall Farmers Market Opening Dates 2016

    Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our Boston area farmers market friends at their outdoor spots. Our Friday Links today will take you to your favorite markets for the 2016 spring to fall season.

    Stillman's stand CHE_0151 copy

    On the day I took this photo, I learned that the Stillman stand at the Boston Public Market would be expanding around the corner!

    First, The News!

    This year there will be a second day for the South End/SoWa Farmers Market on Harrison Avenue. You can shop for local food at this popular venue on both Saturdays and Sundays this season.

    The Boston Public Market now serves Bostonians as their primary year-round farmers market. Beginning on July 18th, this local food marketplace will be open 7 days a week – an increase from the current 5 days.

    Here are the opening dates for some of our favorite markets. The links are to maps of the locations:

    May Markets

    June Markets

    July Markets

    September Market

    If you have confirmed dates for your favorite farmers market, please tell us in a comment or send us an email and we'll add it as an update to this post.

    We use and highly recommend a Rolser Shopping Trolley for your farmers market visits. It stands on its own and can haul your purchases over city sidewalks without a problem.

    See our review of The Boston Homegrown Cookbook: Local Food, Local Restaurants, Local Recipes. It's full of chefs, farmers, and food producers you know, and we highly recommend it. Remember, always click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     

        

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino