Robert's Market Report

Italian Market

The Italian Market can be found around and about Ninth Street between Washington and Christian
 

This page updated Sept. 9, 2003

SITE NAVIGATION
Home
Reading Terminal
Farmers' Markets
Italian Market
Chain Gangs

Recipe
 

EXTERNAL LINKS
Reading Terminal Market
Italian Market
Farmer's Markets in Phila.
Farmer's Markets in Region
Acme
Aldi's
Genuardi's
Pathmark
Shop Rite
Super Fresh
Thriftway/Shop 'n Bag
Trader Joe's
Wegman's
Whole Foods
USDA PA Crop Report
USDA NJ Crop Report

 


 

Mackerel Bargains

My first choice in shopping for fish is to head to the Reading Terminal Market. But good fish can be had at the Italian Market, too.

Take D'Arigo's, on Ninth between Washington and Carpenter. Spanish mackerel could be obtained for $1.98 (vs. $3.99 at Kim's in the Reading Terminal), Boston mackerel for $5.95 for three pounds, which also works to just under $1.98, give or take a couple of mills. Broil or bake either one. They are particularly good baked (whole or split) under a smothering of tomatoes, thinly sliced onions and bell peppers, and a handful of rough chopped green and/or black olives.

Produce Prices

The price of Jersey tomatoes is all over the place. One stand sells three pounds for $1, another for $2, a third for $2.99. You're sure to find a price/quality combination just right for you somewhere in the market.

It is definitely time to put up peaches, which were selling for $1 for two pounds. You can also find a healthy one-pint bucket of Black Mission figs for $2.50, Poblano peppers for $1.50, medium sized artichokes at five for $1, okra at $1 a pound, and corn at 20 cents an ear.

Fruit and Ham and Cheese

With melons still abundant, stop at DiBruno's or Claudio's and get a little bit of prociutto, either imported or domestic. Paper thin slices of ham wrapped around melon slices is a classic. Claudio's had four different feta cheeses (domestic at $3.99, Bulgarian at $4.99, and French or Italian at $6.99), any one of which would taste just fine crumbled over a freshly sliced tomato. For those figs, how about some Spanish manchego from DiBruno's (or Downtown Cheese at the Reading Terminal)?

Top

 
Unless otherwise noted, prices are per pound, and all reports and comments are based on personal visits. Prices, of course, are subject to wild fluctuation, and what's here today at 49 cents may be unavailable at any price tomorrow. So don't sue me if you don't see it at the price quoted here, because it will cost you lawyers' fees.

If you have a report you'd like to add, or any comments about the usefulness (or lack thereof) of this site, just contact me. I would particularly welcome reports on the various small farmer markets around the city and nearby suburbs.

If you would like to receive an e-mail to notify you when updated reports are available, just contact me.

Top

© Robert Libkind, 2003
rlibkind@yahoo.com