Sweets, spice & swine…everything for your Valentine!

dear shoppers, If you're receiving this blog, then, clearly, food - good food - is important to you. And, if there is someone special in your life, presumably, eating well is also important to them.

So if Hallmark & Co. have you stressing about what to get your honey this Valentine's Day - fret not.

The Hastings Farmer's Market has got your back.

What lover of fine food wouldn't  fall for a basket of high end condiments - like pomegranate chutney from Bombay Emerald, with an amphora of Kontoulis Olive Oil, paired with their meaty Kalamata olives or tapenade in a jar, presented with a Bread Alone baguette. And a little bit of flourish.

Red is the color of romance: it is also the color of some of Calcutta Kitchens delectable simmer sauces...and of City Saucery's special line of "nonna's' tomato sauces made with local organic tomatoes and canned with love.

Sweets, of course, are the norm on this holiday - which many prefer to snub. If you think, however, that it is an "occasion" that warrants fancy confections La Petite Occasion will have plenty of caramels (salted, yes!) and toffees and Luxx Chocolat will be selling their award-winning upscale and artistic chocolates that are as fun to look at as to pop in your mouth.

If your honey is local, than surely she/he'll go for some local honey. Hudson River Apiaries will be here this week, after a long hiatus.  As will Crown Maple Organic Syrup and Maple Sugar - should you feel inclined to bake for your sweetie.

Not so much? Pie Lady & Son will bake pies for you. And, since the holiday is all about good pairings, don't forget to stop by the PennyLick Ice Cream Cart post pie-purchase.

Also Erin of Wildseed Apothecary is back with her lovely herbal tinctures, lotions and oils should your honey be in need of some healing. Amen.

Finally, for those among you who swoon over swine: Gaia's Breath Bio-Dynamic Farm and Southtown Farms will be amply stocked in the pork department.

Swing by the Community Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Don't forget to park at the train station - it's free on week-ends.

Here are two "red" recipes for risotto that feature beets  - one with seared scallops from thecuriousfig.com and one without.

Happy, happy Valentine's Day from all of us at the Hastings Farmer's Market.

See you at the market!

Pascale