Everyone, like us, who has missed them at the Copley Farmers Market, can pick up holiday gifts for themselves or others of fresh, healthy fruit and nuts.
This spice olive mix at Arax Market is a favorite with the BostonZest team.
Board member Klunco asked, "There are so many little grocers in a small area and was curious if anyone could give a run down of the strengths or must try items at each?" The responses from a number of regulars, who have won my trust over the years, were detailed and fabulous.
I had to admit that I do tend to buy the same things in the same places. The Chowhounds have inspired me to get out of my rut and do more comparison shopping. I tend to buy ingredients like those in the photo above. However, on a recent visit, I brought a friend who was drawn to the prepared foods and gave them rave reviews.
I made a quick visit last week, specifically hunting for Rose Harissa, and once again was thrilled with the outstanding service at each shop.
If you want to try something like the authentic string cheese soaking in a brine bath shown above, ask about it. Where does it come from? How do I store it? How do I prepare it? I did that many years ago and when a discussion popped up on Serious Eats, I was able to sell my editor on a feature on this treat. I just had to stop by and review what I knew with the experts in the shop.
My current favorite falafels from Fordee's.
I now have a list of prepared foods that I'll buy on my next visit based on the recommendations offered by other food lovers. I also plan to do a few taste-offs. I'll get fewer of my old favorites and try the comparable product from one or two other places.
One bonus Chowhound tip: like any public forum there are great resources, people with a single agenda, trolls, and time wasters. Over the years, I've learned which members I can rely upon for good information and which ones will waste my time with worthless or inaccurate ramblings. I read Chowhound on an RSS feed and watch the source of comments. I click right through to my favorites and don't read or respond to those who offer nothing of value to me.
This spice olive mix at Arax Market is a favorite with the BostonZest team.
Board member Klunco asked, "There are so many little grocers in a small area and was curious if anyone could give a run down of the strengths or must try items at each?" The responses from a number of regulars, who have won my trust over the years, were detailed and fabulous.
I had to admit that I do tend to buy the same things in the same places. The Chowhounds have inspired me to get out of my rut and do more comparison shopping. I tend to buy ingredients like those in the photo above. However, on a recent visit, I brought a friend who was drawn to the prepared foods and gave them rave reviews.
I made a quick visit last week, specifically hunting for Rose Harissa, and once again was thrilled with the outstanding service at each shop.
If you want to try something like the authentic string cheese soaking in a brine bath shown above, ask about it. Where does it come from? How do I store it? How do I prepare it? I did that many years ago and when a discussion popped up on Serious Eats, I was able to sell my editor on a feature on this treat. I just had to stop by and review what I knew with the experts in the shop.
My current favorite falafels from Fordee's.
I now have a list of prepared foods that I'll buy on my next visit based on the recommendations offered by other food lovers. I also plan to do a few taste-offs. I'll get fewer of my old favorites and try the comparable product from one or two other places.
One bonus Chowhound tip: like any public forum there are great resources, people with a single agenda, trolls, and time wasters. Over the years, I've learned which members I can rely upon for good information and which ones will waste my time with worthless or inaccurate ramblings. I read Chowhound on an RSS feed and watch the source of comments. I click right through to my favorites and don't read or respond to those who offer nothing of value to me.
Adventurous Boston food lovers are fortunate to have a great resource in the website Boston Ethnic Markets.
This may look familar to you because it’s an updated version of the information that was once on the Boston Museum site.
Dan Brody, who maintained the roster there, has created a new home for it and is looking forward to working with the Boston food community to keep it up-to-date. Please think of him and this resource when you notice that a new place has opened or a listed place has closed.
If you’re looking for a Kosher butcher, the list will link you to the Butcherie of Brookline.
Want Middle Eastern food? Arax will come up as one of many choices in Watertown.
Look for a place to buy nuts and Fastachi will show up listed twice. Once for the Watertown shop and again for the one on Charles Street in Boston.
With the click of a header, you can sort the list by any of its headings including the name of the shop, what type of store it is, what region of the world it covers, what ethnic cuisine, or by the town where you hope to shop.
Nice work, Dan. And we understand how hard it can be to keep information like this current so we hope all our readers will send you tips to help out.
We're fussy about our almonds and prefer these freshly roasted, soft shell lovelies we buy from Fastachi at their shop in Watertown or at one of the farmers' markets they attend.
Almonds make the perfect pocket food. Put a few in a small container and pop that into your pocket or bag to stave off hunger and save you from less nutritious snacks. And, shelling each as you eat it will slow down your pace and let you feel fuller sooner.
Are you a nut lover? Here are some Amazon items that might interest you!
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
We're fussy about our almonds and prefer these freshly roasted, soft shell lovelies we buy from Fastachi at their shop in Watertown or at one of the farmers' markets they attend.
Almonds make the perfect pocket food. Put a few in a small container and pop that into your pocket or bag to stave off hunger and save you from less nutritious snacks. And, shelling each as you eat it will slow down your pace and let you feel fuller sooner.
Are you a nut lover? Here are some Amazon items that might interest you!
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
We're fussy about our almonds and prefer these freshly roasted, soft shell lovelies we buy from Fastachi at their shop in Watertown or at one of the farmers' markets they attend.
Almonds make the perfect pocket food. Put a few in a small container and pop that into your pocket or bag to stave off hunger and save you from less nutritious snacks. And, shelling each as you eat it will slow down your pace and let you feel fuller sooner.
Are you a nut lover? Here are some Amazon items that might interest you!
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
