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One of the things that I thought was so fantastic on my recent trip to Sicily is that everyone shops at specialty stores. You might go to one store for extra-virgin olive oil, vinegar, and canned tuna, then head to the salumeria for sausages, then to the cheese store for fontina, gorgonzola, mozzarella, parmesan, or any of Italy's other wonderful cheeses.
In Catania, I went to the outdoor market. You could tell right away it was driven by the farmers because everyone was selling the same thing--whatever was in season.
I try to shop the same way back at home, building a relationship with my local butcher and fishmonger. I go to Citarella, because I know I'll get the best fish from the fish counter there. For meat, I like to go to Fairway -- they have a huge room that is just full of meat. It can be challenging to shop like this, but I urge you to give it a try. New York is a big food town, but even in small towns you can form a relationship with the butcher who can clue you in to whatever great meat he or she has on hand that day. Tell me about your favorite food shops -- what do you go out of the way to buy, and where do you go for it?
In Catania, I went to the outdoor market. You could tell right away it was driven by the farmers because everyone was selling the same thing--whatever was in season.
I try to shop the same way back at home, building a relationship with my local butcher and fishmonger. I go to Citarella, because I know I'll get the best fish from the fish counter there. For meat, I like to go to Fairway -- they have a huge room that is just full of meat. It can be challenging to shop like this, but I urge you to give it a try. New York is a big food town, but even in small towns you can form a relationship with the butcher who can clue you in to whatever great meat he or she has on hand that day. Tell me about your favorite food shops -- what do you go out of the way to buy, and where do you go for it?
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