BostonZest

Weekend reading- Eating India

With a little extra time off for the weekend, I visited the library, and brought home a pile of books. I've heard this author on a couple of podcasts and liked what she had to say.

I spent a bit of time with the book on a park bench last night and found myself rereading paragraphs because they were so beautifly written. I can wait to curl up and nibble my way through it.

While on the topic of Indian food, I'll take the opportunity to recommend our favorite Indian Restaurant in Boston.

We love India Samaart on Mass Ave between Commonwealth and Marlborough. If decide to try it, be sure to consider selecting at least one dish from the special board or specials section if you order on line. They've introduced many new dishes into our lives.

Details:

India Samraat
                51A Massachusetts Ave.
                Boston, MA 02115

                Tel: 617-247-0718

www.indiasamraat.com

Blue Eggs!

Yes, they really are a light blue-- except for that brown one. Today was the first Friday market at Copley Square. I stopped by to say hello to the vendors who only come to Boston on Fridays. At Silverbrook Farms they had brown or blue eggs for $4 a dozen.

The white of the copyright line on the photo gives you an idea about the color variations in the eggs. They also have bumpy shells an a less uniform, plastic look than supermarket eggs.

We'll try them with some of Ed's truffle.

The rest of my market purchases were bread from Iggy's, green garlic from Siena; lettuce and radishes from Atlas; a Sassy River, Smoked Sun Dried Tomato Tapanade; and four small jars of spreadable fruit from Deborah's Kitchen.

Details:

www.silverbrookdartmouth.com

www.deborahskitchen.com

www.sassyriversauces.com

Truffle Adventures

This lovely black gem is about to become a part of a special dinner at our place.

It's a summer truffle from Italy and is a present for Ed.

It is currently resting in and scenting a container of Carnaroli Rice Superfino that will be made into a risotto and topped with shavings of the truffle.

I'm off to the stove. More later on how this truffle came into our hands and the details of the dinner.

Wilson Farms- Part three of the Lexington trip

The third stop on a recent trip to Lexington, MA was at Wilson Farms.

Here, they sell a mixture of their own products and items they purchase from other sources. That means that in winter the selection will be much like a good supermarket. But, even in the depth of winter, I find they do a great job in selecting goods and the quality is high.

Wilson's also has a selection of prepared foods that would make them one of the hottest take-out shops in Boston if they had a location in the city.

As they begin to harvest their own crops, it becomes a place that is positively "worth the trip."

Check out the calendar of seasonal events and classes that add to your reasons to head out to Lexington. For example, this weekend they are holding a free  Window Box Planting Demo and Q & A

"How about we make your window on the world that much prettier with some beautifully designed window boxes. Easier than you think, these mini-gardens add instant curb appeal to your home and are great for homes with small yards or even apartment dwellers. Bob Powers, one of our resident planting experts, will show you how to design and plant unique and lovely window boxes that are sure to be a proven winner. Also, Jeff Huntington from Pleasant View-Proven Winner's will be on hand to answer all your questions.

Window Box Flowers

Day's Special: Bring in your window box or purchase one of ours and we will design and plant it for you. (Flowers must be purchased here. Soil is complimentary.)
Registration is required. "

Here's a link to sign up for the event.

http://www.wilsonfarm.com/what.html

Details:

Wilson Farm
10 Pleasant Street
Lexington, MA 02421
(781) 862-3900

There is a lot to explore on their website including tips for choosing and enjoying the best produce of the season.

www.wilsonfarm.com

Other opinions:

Yelp Boston

http://www.yelp.com/biz/wilson-farm-lexington#hrid:eoJdhzOf58g5LWGScg9b0g/query:Lexington%20garden

Search Wilson Farms on Chowhound Boston Board

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Cook's Orchard Farms

I love to cook. Cooking is an art. You add a dash of this and a smidge of that and create a new recipe. I don't bake-- baking includes too much science for me. But, I do shop and I do find the best of baked goods for us to enjoy.

Ed loves a good oatmeal raisin cookie and here are the women who bring his favorites to Boston.

Gayle Aikey and Marge Cook of Cook's Farm Orchard were happy to be back at Copley. "We look forward to seeing all our old friends," said Cook.

Details:

Cook's Farm Orchard   
106 Haynes Hill Rd., Brimfield MA

413.575.8945

http://www.cooksfarmbakery.com/

Copley Square Farmers' Market Report

As Market Manager, Gregg Boden said, "It's been a beautiful day... the best day we could hope for for the beginning of the market."  Customers and vendors were happy to see one another and warm greetings were heard all around the square.

Today's market had lots of potted plants-- herbs, vegetables annuals and perennials.

There were plenty of fresh greens, radishes, baby turnips, mushrooms, cut flowers, cheese, bread, baked goods, specialty foods and jewelry.

A few items, like the little bit of asparagus that arrived with Siena Farms and Iggy's sandwiches, sold out quickly. In other cases, like Atlas Farm's lettuces, the supply was plentiful and unexpectedly lush for this early in the season.

Lunch items were available from Iggy's, Crystal Brook Cheese, Gilson's herbs and the regular hot dog vendor who is at the square all summer long.

Here's Crystal Brook Cheese's picnic in a bag containing herbed goat cheese with olive oil, French bread, and raisins. They even tuck a paper napkin in with it.

Iggy's offered sandwiches and personal pizzas and Gilson's had their herbed summer rolls and fresh lemonade.

As you wandered among the shoppers and folks having lunch in and around the market, you heard customers checking on when their favorite items would be available.

The most often asked question of the day was "When are you going to have strawberries?"  Farmer Chris Kurth of Siena Farms says he hopes to have some berries from Verrill Farm on his stand in about three weeks.

Details

Copley Square Farmers' Market

T-Stop: Copley on the Green line or Back Bay Station on the Orange line

Webpage:

http://massfarmersmarkets.org/t-bostoncopley.aspx

May 20 - November 25
Open Independence Day and Veteran's Day
(July 4 & Nov.11)

Tuesdays and Fridays
11:00 am to 6:00 pm

To learn more about markets in your area visit the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets.

www.massfarmersmarkets.org

Copley Square Farmers' Market Opens Tomorrow

Opening day for this food lover has nothing to do with baseball. Each Spring, I eagerly await the opening of my beloved farmers markets.

Tomorrow the market in Copley Square opens. You'll find regular reports on this and other area markets on BostonZest.com throughout the season.

Here's an early June market basket from a past year.

Then, I bought salad greens, baked goods, asparagus and strawberries.

I'll find out tomorrow where we are in the growing cycle this year, and let you know what you can expect to find available from local producers.

Details

Copley Square Farmers' Market

T-Stop: Copley on the Green line or Back Bay Station on the Orange line

Webpage:

http://massfarmersmarkets.org/t-bostoncopley.aspx

May 20 - November 25
Open Independence Day and Veteran's Day
(July 4 & Nov.11)

Tuesdays and Fridays
11:00 am to 6:00 pm

To learn more about markets in your area visit the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets.

www.massfarmersmarkets.org