Honest2Goodness Market Newsletter June 30th 2011

Welcome to this week's newsletter, and looking at the date, isnt it a bit scary that we are half-way through the year already? As I am just back from holidays, I will now be very envious of anyone who has yet to take their holidays, so I think the only solution is to start planning my next one.

Getting away from the endless focus on our problems in Ireland is a real eye-opener and a relief, although of course Italy is in an economic crisis as well - they just seem to have other things to balance out their lives - simple things like food! In fact, the average person in Italy seems to have just as much of an obsession with food as I do!! I was really lucky to have had a wonderful break in Le Marche, Italy, as you can see from this photo:

And that is just the inland view... There are lots of great beaches as well...and lovely food & wine...

I also made a little time to try out some of the local produce:

I do have to say - and I know that I may be biased on this one! - that our local Irish food can hold its own in many respects against the Italian competition, especially at places like farmers markets...

Talking of which, what news for all you shoppers this week? We hope that you will be able to continue to support the market over the summer, in between holidays and week-end breaks away.

On the missing list for this Saturday will be Dominic and his shrubs and flowers. We will miss him for the next few weeks!

Otherwise, all stallholders are due to attend as per usual.

The Spud Man's stall will be BUZZING on Saturday, as he will have lovely new potatoes available as well as fresh Wexford berries including gooseberries, strawberries and raspberries, and some fresh blueberries. He is also hoping that Percy, who provides our lovely honey to us from Wexford, will also be here on Saturday, along with the real honey producers - the BEES (who will be tucked away safely, but we will be able to view them safely)

There are a lot of deliveries due to the Pantry between now and Saturday, including Burkes Ice-cream, cheese from Glebe Brethan, raw milk, and store-cupboard items. We will be a bit short on a few cheeses, as one delivery wont be made til next week, so bear with us please.

On the salad front, will have to wait and see what the various stallholders arrive with between now and Saturday - expect some Italian inspired tastes!

Wine specials this week continue the Italian theme.  The white is our

Masciarelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
€13 down to €11
Charming elegant Trebbiano with notes of citrus, spice and mineral stoniness. This wine is used to wash down lots of the lovely seafood landed off the Abruzzi coast and would likewise be a nice partner with shellfish and seafood available here.
 

Our red is also from Masciarelli  - their Montepulciano
€14.00 down to €12.00
Benchmark Montepulciano from the Italian winemakers of the year in 2004. Shows great complexity and elegance with flavours of cherry, violet, tobacco and an earthiness typical of Montepulciano that works well with savoury dishes made with truffles or mushrooms. It also matches nicely with red meats and hard mature cheeses.

Clare from Puddleduck wants to advise you to stock up on her preserves and other products this Saturday as she will be away the following two Saturdays on holidays. She has made some plum jam with Rosies organic plums and will have sugar free and lemon curd as requested.

Breanndan's Gourmet Pizza special this Saturday is a  slightly early July 4th Independence Day special - 'Mulberry Street'

New York Meatballs with Sauteed Onions and Garlic. - €7.

At the cafe, business as usual will be restored, as the cook is officially back in the kitchen! As it really is summer now, we wont be doing a soup, but our hot dish is back on the menu - this week it will be the perennial favourite of Thai Chicken with brown rice.

Think that is all the news! Check back on the website on Saturday for any updates, or follow us on Twitter  here

You can also phone us on Saturday at 087-6294713 for any last minute queries...

Brid & all the Honest2Goodness team