bostonzest

Tag: summer

  • 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.)

  • A Few Tidbits About Onions and Other Alliums

    Our shopping lists always seem to include some sort of allium, be it onions, scallions, garlic, shallots, chives, or leeks. Wikipedia explains that, “… Allium is the Latin word for garlic, and the type species for the genus is Allium sativum which means cultivated garlic." Around our house, we use a lot of this species!

    IMG_0367

    Yellow, Brown, Red, Spanish, or  Sweet Onions

    You may notice that some recipes specify which of the major types of onions to use. What we typically call an onion is known as a “storage onion” by those in the trade. These break down into: white, yellow, red, Spanish, and sweet.

    Brown or yellow onions are the most popular for everyday cooking. Red onions are most often used raw or pickled in dishes and these caramelize beautifully when grilled. White onions are the standard for Mexican recipes. Sweet onions include Vidalia, Walla Walla, and Bermuda and seem to be rising in popularity.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c8ad4242970b-800wi

    We love having a jar of pickled red onions on hand to add to salads and sandwiches. This can be a simple, quick pickle that you make by bringing a cup of vinegar, a couple of tablespoons of sugar, and a tablespoon of salt to a boil until everything is dissolved. Then pour it over sliced or diced red onions and refrigerate.

    In early summer, we may be able to buy what are called spring or summer onions from our local farmers. These have larger bulbs than scallions. They are the same ones the farmer will harvest and dry later in the season.

    IMG_9817

    Other Alliums

    Most plants selected to grow scallions never form bulbs. Scallions are perhaps our favorite allium. We always have these on hand, but have a split opinion on the best part of this vegetable.  

    Ed likes the white bulb and will happily chomp up any pieces that Penny decided not to use in a dish. Penny loves the green section and will sprinkle them on many of the plates coming out of our kitchen. She’ll put more of the white on Ed’s plate and lots of the green on hers.

    Shallots and garlic are among the first additions to many a pan on our stove. We also use finely minced shallots and crushed garlic as the start of most vinaigrettes. We’ll add the acid to these early in the salad making process. A few minutes of marinating seems to gentle and round out the flavor. Leeks are essential additions to our stock pots and are wonderful as one of the vegetables at the bottom of a roasting pan that will hold up and flavor a chicken, beef, or pork roast.

    20100912IMG_0153 - Version 2

    Nutrition

    Who knew alliums were so good for you? Perhaps anyone who lived through the Great Depression and still enjoys the occasional raw onion sandwich that was part of their diet in those days.

    In her book "Vegetable Literacy” Deborah Madison summarized the health benefits of onions.

    "Strong-tasting onions are the ones that prevent blood clotting, lower the heart rate, benefit the stomach, and provide us with a long list of vitamins (including B, C, and E), minerals (phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur, and even traces of copper), and disease-fighting quercetin in amounts that far exceed those found in other extremely good-for-you vegetables. And the really good news is that the benefits remain even after the onions have been cooked, although it appears that they may be more effective when eaten raw."

    Raw, grilled, sautéd, braised, sliced, chopped, smashed, or pickled, we love them all!

    Related Posts:

    Cook's Treasure: Sautéed Onions and Garlic

    It's Great to Have Pickled Red Onion on Hand. My Two-Ingredient Method and Tips for Enjoying Your Treasure

    A Follow-Up on Our Pickled Red Onion Post

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015-2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino 
    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

  • A Few Tidbits About Onions and Other Alliums

    Our shopping lists always seem to include some sort of allium, be it onions, scallions, garlic, shallots, chives, or leeks. Wikipedia explains that, “… Allium is the Latin word for garlic, and the type species for the genus is Allium sativum which means cultivated garlic." Around our house, we use a lot of this species!

    IMG_0367

    Yellow, Brown, Red, Spanish, or  Sweet Onions

    You may notice that some recipes specify which of the major types of onions to use. What we typically call an onion is known as a “storage onion” by those in the trade. These break down into: white, yellow, red, Spanish, and sweet.

    Brown or yellow onions are the most popular for everyday cooking. Red onions are most often used raw or pickled in dishes and these caramelize beautifully when grilled. White onions are the standard for Mexican recipes. Sweet onions include Vidalia, Walla Walla, and Bermuda and seem to be rising in popularity.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c8ad4242970b-800wi

    We love having a jar of pickled red onions on hand to add to salads and sandwiches. This can be a simple, quick pickle that you make by bringing a cup of vinegar, a couple of tablespoons of sugar, and a tablespoon of salt to a boil until everything is dissolved. Then pour it over sliced or diced red onions and refrigerate.

    In early summer, we may be able to buy what are called spring or summer onions from our local farmers. These have larger bulbs than scallions. They are the same ones the farmer will harvest and dry later in the season.

    IMG_9817

    Other Alliums

    Most plants selected to grow scallions never form bulbs. Scallions are perhaps our favorite allium. We always have these on hand, but have a split opinion on the best part of this vegetable.  

    Ed likes the white bulb and will happily chomp up any pieces that Penny decided not to use in a dish. Penny loves the green section and will sprinkle them on many of the plates coming out of our kitchen. She’ll put more of the white on Ed’s plate and lots of the green on hers.

    Shallots and garlic are among the first additions to many a pan on our stove. We also use finely minced shallots and crushed garlic as the start of most vinaigrettes. We’ll add the acid to these early in the salad making process. A few minutes of marinating seems to gentle and round out the flavor. Leeks are essential additions to our stock pots and are wonderful as one of the vegetables at the bottom of a roasting pan that will hold up and flavor a chicken, beef, or pork roast.

    20100912IMG_0153 - Version 2

    Nutrition

    Who knew alliums were so good for you? Perhaps anyone who lived through the Great Depression and still enjoys the occasional raw onion sandwich that was part of their diet in those days.

    In her book "Vegetable Literacy” Deborah Madison summarized the health benefits of onions.

    "Strong-tasting onions are the ones that prevent blood clotting, lower the heart rate, benefit the stomach, and provide us with a long list of vitamins (including B, C, and E), minerals (phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur, and even traces of copper), and disease-fighting quercetin in amounts that far exceed those found in other extremely good-for-you vegetables. And the really good news is that the benefits remain even after the onions have been cooked, although it appears that they may be more effective when eaten raw."

    Raw, grilled, sautéd, braised, sliced, chopped, smashed, or pickled, we love them all!

    Related Posts:

    Cook's Treasure: Sautéed Onions and Garlic

    It's Great to Have Pickled Red Onion on Hand. My Two-Ingredient Method and Tips for Enjoying Your Treasure

    A Follow-Up on Our Pickled Red Onion Post

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015-2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino 
    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

  • Boston Area Spring-to-Fall Farmers Market Opening Dates

    Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our Boston area farmers market friends at their outdoor spots. These dates are for the 2017 spring-to-fall season. This will now be a permanent resource page on this topic so bookmark it and come back when you need the information and we'll update it as we have new information.

    IMG_9815 copy

    First, The News!

    With the Boston Public Market (100 Hanover Street) established as a permanent, indoor, year-round stop for shoppers to support local food growers and producers, the Boston Public Market Association will not be running a seasonal farmers market along the Greenway adjacent to their indoor location this year. They will focus on supporting the vendors at the BPM and their Dewey Square farmers market location.

    Again 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. Neighbors have expressed concerns about the popularity of this market and the second day of the market was in question for a short time.

    As shoppers we can help with this situation by being considerate of the market neighbors. If you can walk to the market, please do so. The Silver Line runs nearby Harrison Avenue so the MBTA should be your second choice. If you do come by car, be aware that traffic and parking are difficult not only for you, but also for the folks who live there. This same is true of any farmers market you visit.

    May Markets

    Boston Public Market: Open daily, year-round 

    South End/SoWa Open Market: April 29th (Saturdays & Sundays)

    Egleston Jamaica Plain: May 6th (Saturdays)

    Jamaica Plain (677 Centre Street): May 7th (Saturdays) 

    Copley Square: May 12th (Tuesdays & Fridays)

    Union Square, Somerville: May 13th (Saturdays)

    Central Square, Cambridge: May 15th (Mondays)

    South Station/Dewey Square: May 16th (Tuesdays & Thursdays)

    Davis Square, Somerville: May 17th (Wednesdays)

    Cambridge Center (Kendall MBTA): May 17th (Wednesdays)

    June Markets

    Brookline/Coolidge Corner: June 1st (Thursdays)

    Roslindale: June 3rd (Saturdays) 

    Harvard University Farmers Market, Cambridge: June 6th (Tuesdays) (no market 7/4, 8/22 & 29, 10/24)

    Oak Square, Brighton: June 7th (Wednesdays) 

    Dorchester/Ashmont/Peabody Square: June 23rd (Fridays)

    Allston/Harvard Farmers Market: June (Fridays) (Not confirmed)

    Allston Village, 500 Cambridge St: June (Saturdays) (Not confirmed)

    Cambridgeport: June (Saturdays) (Not confirmed)

    Boston Medical Center Shapiro Lobby, 840 Harrison Avenue: June (Thursdays)

    Mission Hill/Roxbury, Brigham Circle: Mid-June (Thursdays) 

    July Markets

     Charlestown: Thompson Square at Main & Austin Street: July (Wednesdays)

     East Boston/Central Square 209 Summer Street: July (Wednesdays)

    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: © 2017 Penny Cherubino  

  • Boston Area Spring-to-Fall Farmers Market Opening Dates

    Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our Boston area farmers market friends at their outdoor spots. These dates are for the 2017 spring-to-fall season. This will now be a permanent resource page on this topic so bookmark it and come back when you need the information and we'll update it as we have new information.

    IMG_9815 copy

    First, The News!

    With the Boston Public Market (100 Hanover Street) established as a permanent, indoor, year-round stop for shoppers to support local food growers and producers, the Boston Public Market Association will not be running a seasonal farmers market along the Greenway adjacent to their indoor location this year. They will focus on supporting the vendors at the BPM and their Dewey Square farmers market location.

    Again 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. Neighbors have expressed concerns about the popularity of this market and the second day of the market was in question for a short time.

    As shoppers we can help with this situation by being considerate of the market neighbors. If you can walk to the market, please do so. The Silver Line runs nearby Harrison Avenue so the MBTA should be your second choice. If you do come by car, be aware that traffic and parking are difficult not only for you, but also for the folks who live there. This same is true of any farmers market you visit.

    May Markets

    Boston Public Market: Open daily, year-round 

    South End/SoWa Open Market: April 29th (Saturdays & Sundays)

    Egleston Jamaica Plain: May 6th (Saturdays)

    Jamaica Plain (677 Centre Street): May 7th (Saturdays) 

    Copley Square: May 12th (Tuesdays & Fridays)

    Union Square, Somerville: May 13th (Saturdays)

    Central Square, Cambridge: May 15th (Mondays)

    South Station/Dewey Square: May 16th (Tuesdays & Thursdays)

    Davis Square, Somerville: May 17th (Wednesdays)

    Cambridge Center (Kendall MBTA): May 17th (Wednesdays)

    June Markets

    Brookline/Coolidge Corner: June 1st (Thursdays)

    Roslindale: June 3rd (Saturdays) 

    Harvard University Farmers Market, Cambridge: June 6th (Tuesdays) (no market 7/4, 8/22 & 29, 10/24)

    Oak Square, Brighton: June 7th (Wednesdays) 

    Dorchester/Ashmont/Peabody Square: June 23rd (Fridays)

    Allston/Harvard Farmers Market: June (Fridays) (Not confirmed)

    Allston Village, 500 Cambridge St: June (Saturdays) (Not confirmed)

    Cambridgeport: June (Saturdays) (Not confirmed)

    Boston Medical Center Shapiro Lobby, 840 Harrison Avenue: June (Thursdays)

    Mission Hill/Roxbury, Brigham Circle: Mid-June (Thursdays) 

    July Markets

     Charlestown: Thompson Square at Main & Austin Street: July (Wednesdays)

     East Boston/Central Square 209 Summer Street: July (Wednesdays)

    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: © 2017 Penny Cherubino  

  • Check Out The Trustees Calendar of Places to Go & Things to Do!

    For our Friday Link today, we're sending you to a spring and summer of fun places to go and things to do with the Trustees of Reservations, now going by the simple title of The Trustees!

    Screen Shot 2017-04-03 at Monday April 3 20178.57.58 AM

    As members, we keep our seasonal copy of Special Places around.

    IMG_7890

    It contains a calendar of events that are handy for times when a beautiful day tempts us to get outdoors or a rainy day would be perfect for taking in a Trustees event at The Kitchen inside the Boston Public Market.

    IMG_7889

    While all this information is available on the site, we like this format because we can highlight things of interest and add them to our calendars.

    Joining this great organization is your ticket to new adventures in the months ahead.

    And, remember dog lovers, this is one organization that has worked to arrange access for you and your dog at some of their properties. Here are some of their Tail Wagging Destinations.

    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
    Screenshots courtesy of The Trustess

  • Check Out The Trustees Calendar of Places to Go & Things to Do!

    For our Friday Link today, we're sending you to a spring and summer of fun places to go and things to do with the Trustees of Reservations, now going by the simple title of The Trustees!

    Screen Shot 2017-04-03 at Monday April 3 20178.57.58 AM

    As members, we keep our seasonal copy of Special Places around.

    IMG_7890

    It contains a calendar of events that are handy for times when a beautiful day tempts us to get outdoors or a rainy day would be perfect for taking in a Trustees event at The Kitchen inside the Boston Public Market.

    IMG_7889

    While all this information is available on the site, we like this format because we can highlight things of interest and add them to our calendars.

    Joining this great organization is your ticket to new adventures in the months ahead.

    And, remember dog lovers, this is one organization that has worked to arrange access for you and your dog at some of their properties. Here are some of their Tail Wagging Destinations.

    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
    Screenshots courtesy of The Trustess

  • 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  

  • Red Leaf: It’s Far Too Early!

    Walking this weekend, we spotted a few red and yellow leaves along our path. 

    IMG_3163 - Version 22015-07-25-red-leaf-crab-Morison-Mall0© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    We know it's been cool, but it is far too early for fall colors. 

    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: © 2015 Penny Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Boston Chowhounds Give Watertown Ethnic Markets Tips
    What's Happening Around Boston in Summer 2015 (July & August)
    Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

  • Red Leaf: It’s Far Too Early!

    Walking this weekend, we spotted a few red and yellow leaves along our path. 

    IMG_3163 - Version 22015-07-25-red-leaf-crab-Morison-Mall0© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    We know it's been cool, but it is far too early for fall colors. 

    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: © 2015 Penny Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Boston Chowhounds Give Watertown Ethnic Markets Tips
    What's Happening Around Boston in Summer 2015 (July & August)
    Boston Fireworks from Another Time …