gluten-free

Medjool dates from Morocco Gold Dates at the North Park Thursday Farmers’ Market will sweeten up your holiday season. Stuff them with your favorite bleu from the Cheese Store, or check out these recipes including one that combines dates with toasted almonds from Hopkins AG and butternut squash from African Sisters’ Farm.

Pick up a naturally raised bird from DaLe Ranch for this date-stuffed chicken, or use oranges from Paradise Valley Ranch for these vegan date and orange cookies. Get Granny Smith apples and raisins from Smit Orchards for this gluten free pie, or for a lighter dish that’s still festive, pick up fennel from Suzie’s Farm for this citrus-fennel-date salad.

Make a date with the North Park Farmers’ Market this Thursday!

MORNINGS AT THE MERCATO

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and just because you're in a rush to get to the the Little Italy Mercato, doesn't mean you have to skip it. Whether it's a spot of tea or a cuppa joe, Joes on the Nose and Cafe Virtuoso are there for your morning caffeine fix. Seb's Panini has delicious breakfast sandwiches and Fabrison's morning themed crepes can't be beat. There's Belen Bakery for scones and Loic for pastries to fulfill that morning time sweet tooth. Granola Girl and Scratch both have crunchy wholesome granola to take home; perfect when topped with a sprinkle of berries from Pudwill and your favorite yogurt. And don't forget the OJ from Polito Farms or Paradise Valley Ranch!

For Sunday morning, pick up a bag of gluten-free muffin mix from Sustainable Pantry and slather them with jam from Impeccable Taste hot out of the oven. Or stock up on fresh eggs from Schaner Farm or Descanso Ranch, asparagus from Suncoast Farms and Firehouse Jack cheese from Springhill Farms. Can you say frittata? Start your mornings off right with fresh, local ingredients and a trip down to the Mercato.