Little Italy farmers' market

ARRANCIA AT THE MERCATO
The crimson hue of blood oranges adds a welcome splash of color to the Little Italy Mercato this time of year. Look for them at Lone Oak Ranch, Polito Family Farm and Gilbert Quintos; mix them in a salad of fresh greens from Maciel Farm or Second Chance with fresh chevre from Nicolau Goat Farm, red walnuts from Terra Bella Ranch and thin sliced red onion from Schaner Family Farm, with a drizzle of Fig Balsamic from Bistro Blends.

Use segments of blood orange to garnish wild caught filets from the Salmon Slinger or add them to rabbit from Spur Valley Ranch in this classic Italian-style roasted rabbit with blood orange. Visit Suzie’s Farm for carrots to cook in this blood orange glaze - we love it on their beets as well.

This citrus’ bright red flesh comes from anthocyanins, the same molecule that give red raspberries their color, and a powerful antioxidant.The Arrancia oranges at Tom King Farm are a Sicilian variety that are particularly sweet and low in acid.

Get ready for sticky fingers and sweet tastes at the Little Italy Mercato! Peaches are in full force, find just the right ones for you at Smit Orchards and Lone Oak Ranch. Grab a handful of white peaches and puree them for a classic bellini; pick up prosecco at Filippi's or Mona Lisa in Little Italy and snag a basket of ripe rasperries from Pudwill Farms.

Take a dozen donut peaches home, you'll eat half of them on the way. With the rest, halve 'em, grill 'em, slip the skins off and rest on a plate of fresh burrata from Taste Cheese, then drizzle with honey from Mikolich Bees, crimson raisins from Smit Orchards and toss with almonds from Hopkins AG. Spoon that warm mixture over fresh burrata from Taste Cheese for a delicous, decadent brunch dish.

Make a peach trifle like this, substituting brioche from Belen Bakery for the pound cake and layering with slivered almonds from Terra Bella Ranch and raspberry jam from Jackie's Jam! Or just pick up a few yellow peaches, grab a napkin and devour as you shop the market! Peach out! 

GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

We spotted the first big-heart artichokes of the season at Suncoast Farm's stand at the Little Italy Mercato last Saturday. They could be just the thing if you’re aiming to win someone’s heart this week; like asparagus and oysters (also at the market now) they're considered aphrodisiacs.

Don’t be intimidated by these gorgeous green globes, we’ve found some friendly advice on how to prepare them so your special dinner will impress that special someone.  You may want to dip the lovely leaves in a homemade aioli made with eggs from Swiss Mountain, imported olive oil from Italianissimo, and fresh garlic from Sage Mountain; or for a delicious vegan option, use almond based Bitchin’ Sauce.  We also like this pretty recipe for roasted artichoke hearts.

When the last leaf is eaten, you’ll be down to one last tender bite, the heart of the artichoke.  And herein lies the true test of love: will you share?