Category: Food: Local/Farmers’ Markets

Island Creek Oysters Has a Newbury Street Pop Up Shop for the Holidays

Attention Back Bay neighbors! We have a temporary source of shellfish at 142 Newbury Street (map.) Ed's favorite Island Creek Oysters are available to take home or ship to a lucky gift recipient through January 2nd.

Just a few steps East of Dartmouth Street, you'll find this cheerful store front.

Down the stairs is an icy display of fresh shellfish. On my visit, there were razor clams, oysters, and more.

I was on the hunt for littleneck clams to make Clams Al Forno and they had them. There is a recipe at that link, but I use the one in the cookbook from Al Forno restaurant in Providence: Cucina Simpatica: Robust Trattoria Cooking From Al Forno.

In addition to giving live seafood, you might also find a gift for your oyster lover from their display of shellfish and Island Creek related products.

Here's hoping these good folks have a successful season and pave the way for more food shops in the neighborhood.

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: © 2015 Penny Cherubino

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December 10, 2015
Edible Boston’s Winter 2016 Issue Is Available

This edition of Edible Boston is a love letter to the Boston Public Market. Yes, it covers other things, but the big heart of this issue is a lovely photo album of the people you'll meet on your visits to Boston's latest fresh & local source.

In her Letter from the Editor, Ilene Bezahler wrote, "While we are celebrating the holidays, I would also like to give a huge thank you to all participants who have worked over the past 19 years to bringing the Boston Public Market to fruition. It was a monumental task over a long period of time but now it is open!"

Photographer Michael Piazza has captured the personality and personalities of the market in his sixteen page homage to the people and the place.

Big Recipe Issue

This issue inspires me with great recipes. In fact, the technique covered for "The Best Roasted Potatoes" on page 43 alone will make finding a copy worth your time. You'll also find a collection of other potato recipes plus a primer on savory pies.

Support publisher Ilene Bezahler and her talented team

First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

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
Covershot: Courtesy of Edible Boston

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December 2, 2015
Edible Boston’s Winter 2016 Issue Is Available

This edition of Edible Boston is a love letter to the Boston Public Market. Yes, it covers other things, but the big heart of this issue is a lovely photo album of the people you'll meet on your visits to Boston's latest fresh & local source.

In her Letter from the Editor, Ilene Bezahler wrote, "While we are celebrating the holidays, I would also like to give a huge thank you to all participants who have worked over the past 19 years to bringing the Boston Public Market to fruition. It was a monumental task over a long period of time but now it is open!"

Photographer Michael Piazza has captured the personality and personalities of the market in his sixteen page homage to the people and the place.

Big Recipe Issue

This issue inspires me with great recipes. In fact, the technique covered for "The Best Roasted Potatoes" on page 43 alone will make finding a copy worth your time. You'll also find a collection of other potato recipes plus a primer on savory pies.

Support publisher Ilene Bezahler and her talented team

First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

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
Covershot: Courtesy of Edible Boston

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December 2, 2015
2015-2016 Winter Farmers Market Schedule Around Boston

The open air farmers market season is over and it's time for us to start our list of the 2015-2016 Winter Farmers Markets in the Boston area. We'll add to this list as we discover more markets opening.

Stillman's Farm and Stillman Quality Meats will both be at the Boston Public Market.

Boston Public Market

This will be the first year-round season for the new Boston Public Market. Here, you’ll find farmers, craft brewers, cheesemakers, local meat and seafood vendors, bakeries and artisan food producers.

Brookline Winter Farmers' Market

Winter Indoor Farmers Markets Around Boston

Updated 01/08/15

Check the links to confirm details on these markets before you set out on your shopping trip.

Boston Public Market , 100 Hanover Street at Haymarket Station, Wednesday–Sunday 8:00am–8:00pm (year round)

Boston/Egleston Winter Farmers Market, Urbano Project, 29 Germania St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, (Mid-November thru February)

Brookline Winter Farmers Market at The Arcade Building, 318 Harvard Street, (map) Sundays
11:00 am to 3:00 pm (November thru April)

Newton Winter Farmers Market, 250 Albemarle Rd, Newton, MA 02461(map) Saturdays, 10:00 am – Noon (November and December)

Somerville Winter Farmers Market, 191 Highland Avenue, (map) Saturdays, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (December thru March)

Cambridge Winter Farmers Market, 5 Callender Street, (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January 9th – April 30th)

Dorchester/Carney Hospital Year Round and Winter Farmers Market, 2100 Dorchester Ave. Seton Building Entrance (map) Wednesdays 8:00am – 12:00pm (year-round)

Dorchester/Codman Square Winter Farmers Market, 6 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, in the Great Hall (map) Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm (January 9th to March 19th)

Chelmsford Agway Winter Farmers Market, 24 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (November 7th – February 27th) Thanks to the reader who sent this one our way.

Roslindale Winter Farmers Market, 30 Birch Street, Roslindale, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January thru March).

Destination Markets Worth the Trip

Wayland/Russell's Garden Center Winter Farmers Market – 2016, 397 Boston Post Road, Rte 20 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January 9th – March 12th)

Newburyport Winter Farmers Market, Tannery Marketplace, 50 Water Street (map)
Sundays 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Dec. 6 & 13 – 2015, Jan. 17 & 31, Feb. 7 & 21, March 6 & 20, April 3 & 17, 2016

Do you have a favorite place to shop for local foods in winter? Let us know!

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

Details:

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

November 20, 2015
Oyster Growing in Provincetown

People who return time-after-time to the same vacation spot have the advantage of noticing changes for the good – like the fact that, each visit, we see more evidence of a growing oyster population in Provincetown Harbor.

Among the rocks on this jetty that we scamper over on our beach walks are big clusters of oysters that were not there last fall. We remember quite a few years ago when a test bed of oysters was planted in a space near the town dock and we used to see oyster shells and live oysters in that area.

After we returned home and Penny began poking around to learn more about Provincetown oysters, we learned that there is one shellfish grant in operation in town. John Santos and Lory Stewart farm littlenecks and oysters. Their oyster is called a Long Pointer and from now on, we'll be looking for it on menus.

They also give "Dig Clams and Gather Oysters" tours of the operation and that is on our schedule for our next warm, sunny day visit.

Here's a Boston Globe article on the operation that describes the taste of Long Pointers as, "… similar to those of the neighboring Wellfleet."

We're always happy to see oysters in our favorite places since they are known for their ability to clean the water around them.

Related Post:

A Tow up the Charles River Cost $4 in 1886 (Oysters once blocked the way!)

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino, Screen shot from Cape Native Secrets.

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November 18, 2015
Oyster Growing in Provincetown

People who return time-after-time to the same vacation spot have the advantage of noticing changes for the good – like the fact that, each visit, we see more evidence of a growing oyster population in Provincetown Harbor.

Among the rocks on this jetty that we scamper over on our beach walks are big clusters of oysters that were not there last fall. We remember quite a few years ago when a test bed of oysters was planted in a space near the town dock and we used to see oyster shells and live oysters in that area.

After we returned home and Penny began poking around to learn more about Provincetown oysters, we learned that there is one shellfish grant in operation in town. John Santos and Lory Stewart farm littlenecks and oysters. Their oyster is called a Long Pointer and from now on, we'll be looking for it on menus.

They also give "Dig Clams and Gather Oysters" tours of the operation and that is on our schedule for our next warm, sunny day visit.

Here's a Boston Globe article on the operation that describes the taste of Long Pointers as, "… similar to those of the neighboring Wellfleet."

We're always happy to see oysters in our favorite places since they are known for their ability to clean the water around them.

Related Post:

A Tow up the Charles River Cost $4 in 1886 (Oysters once blocked the way!)

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino, Screen shot from Cape Native Secrets.

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A Tow up the Charles River Cost $4 in 1886

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November 18, 2015
We’re Spoiled by Variety in Our Produce!

It’s a sign of the times that this array of cauliflower only had one head of the traditional white variety surrounded by green, purple, and yellow versions.

Shoppers opt for heirloom tomatoes: white, Asian, fairytale or purple eggplant. Carrots, radishes, and Swiss chard come in rainbow colors.

The UMass Cold Spring Orchard research facility in Amherst grows more than 100 varieties of apples. Perhaps apples are one of the produce items that we have routinely selected by variety over the years. Specific apple varieties for eating, baking, applesauce, and cider making have been long established. Regional favorites like our own Roxbury Russet have come back into favor.

Now, a much wider selection of many other locally grown fruit and vegetables are available from Massachusetts farms. As you walk from stand to stand, you’ll see more varieties of berries and longer seasons made possible by staging plantings for early, mid, and late season.

Greens

It’s been a long time since I saw a head of iceberg lettuce at a farmers market. I remember when the first offerings of baby greens and salad mixes appeared on the scene and were on my shopping list every week. Now, I could fill a shopping bag with different heads of lettuce for a salad to feed ten friends.

Today, I’m disappointed if I can’t find baby arugula or micro greens because they have sold out before I arrived. I like mixing purple, yellow, and white potatoes in a salad. And, I’m really disappointed when I have to shop a regular supermarket with fewer choices in the fresh produce section.

Yes, our local farmers have spoiled me with great options and I'm glad that more of them will be selling year-round to satisfy my heightened expectations!

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

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino (Adapted for BostonZest from one of her Fresh & Local newspaper columns)
Photos: ©2010- 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

October 28, 2015
We Love Pears!

This family has a long running love of pears. Once I gave Ed a loaf of bread and a bag of pears for Valentine’s Day. One of his co-workers found that so odd that he mentioned it every time I saw him. Ed, however, was a happy valentine. He loves bread and pears.

But, why not? What’s not to love about pears? They are available year-round and come in varieties that are both delicious and beautiful. The ones in the photo above are Forelle, which means trout in German. They were named for their spots.

Bosc are crisp and a great pears for cooking or baking.

Pears also come in various sizes. Here’s a tiny Seckel next to an unripe Bartlett.

They also come in different colors, green and red and yellow when ripe.

Then, there are Asian pears with their tawny, greenish-yellow to caramel coloring.

We love eating pears and we love photographing them. And this is the best time of year for local pear lovers. So stop by a farmers market or orchard and see what pears local growers have to offer.

Related Posts:

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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: © 2008- 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

October 14, 2015
We Love Pears!

This family has a long running love of pears. Once I gave Ed a loaf of bread and a bag of pears for Valentine’s Day. One of his co-workers found that so odd that he mentioned it every time I saw him. Ed, however, was a happy valentine. He loves bread and pears.

But, why not? What’s not to love about pears? They are available year-round and come in varieties that are both delicious and beautiful. The ones in the photo above are Forelle, which means trout in German. They were named for their spots.

Bosc are crisp and a great pears for cooking or baking.

Pears also come in various sizes. Here’s a tiny Seckel next to an unripe Bartlett.

They also come in different colors, green and red and yellow when ripe.

Then, there are Asian pears with their tawny, greenish-yellow to caramel coloring.

We love eating pears and we love photographing them. And this is the best time of year for local pear lovers. So stop by a farmers market or orchard and see what pears local growers have to offer.

Related Posts:

Clap’s Favorite Pears: Snack on Some Boston History

Discovering Ya Pears or Chinese White Pears

Pecorino di Moliterno – Cheese from Sardinia covers peas with cheese

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: © 2008- 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

October 14, 2015
Local, Fresh, Young Ginger Is Back in Season: At the Market Report

Tender, vibrant, local, young ginger from Old Friends Farm in Amherst, MA is back at the Copley Square Farmers Market.

This lovely pile of ginger was photographed at the Atlas Farm stand along St. James Avenue. The Atlas folks bring a few products from their neighboring farm, Old Friends, on Tuesdays and Fridays until Thanksgiving.

What is it about this ginger that makes it worth the price and makes me buy enough to freeze and use during the months when it is not available?

First, there is that love that is part of the sign at the market. I've known farmer Casey Steinberg for years and knowing him, I believe this ginger is grown with love and care. I know it's organic and fresh and grown with as light a footprint as his team can use.

I know that this young ginger is tender and bursting with ginger heat. I don't bother to peel it, no need. I just grab a microplane and grate what I need.

Unlike its supermarket counterpart, this ginger is highly perishable. Old Friends has a page of tips on how to store and use this special ginger product.

Stop by the market and pick up a hand to try this ginger in your favorite stir fry. You won't want to go back to the ordinary. You may even decide to use it in different ways. Then, like me, you'll set aside room in your freezer for a supply of your favorite, local, young, organic ginger.

Ginger Syrup, Too

We told you another aspect of this ginger story in our post: Old Friends Farm Organic Ginger Syrup. While you can make your own version with their ginger, it is so much easier to stock up on a few bottles to get you through the winter.

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

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2014-2015 Penny Cherubino

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September 24, 2015