Need a little ethnic inspiration? Take the most fun tour of the 9th Street Market in Philadelphia. One piece of advice….arrive hungry and preferably with a brother who has completely mapped out all the stores and restaurants he wants to see.
Our first stop was Fante’s Kitchen store. Filled with quality products from all over the world I quickly gathered up a few things I did not know I needed including this adorable heart-shaped cutter. Suffice to say I felt like a kid in a candy store.
The streets are lined with vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables among other things. It feels a little bit like a flea market married a farmer’s market and this is their baby. Prices are competitive. Locals are sniffing melons and filling bags with beans, mushrooms and blueberries. One can even buy mangoes by the crate. I just loved this box full of baby eggplants. Bring cash.
By now we are getting hungry. Family owned Isgro’s Italian pastries are in order. Eat dessert first. My niece shares a bite of her chocolate mascarpone cannoli and my brother shares his sfogiatella. It makes sense why this bakery has been in business since 1904. These pastries are pure perfection and bring me back to just about every extended family gathering I have ever enjoyed my whole life.
Cheese, meatballs and pasta follow. Further, we enjoy a chocolate shop, spice shop and more than one butcher. Finally, take your pick of restaurants and bring a cooler bag to take home fresh pasta and other delicacies.
Still hungry? Feel free to wait in line for this guy’s recommendation.
Completely inspired I knocked out a big pile of fettuccine for Sunday dinner. Making fresh pasta is easy. For every pound of semolina flour mix in 2 to 3 eggs, a pinch of salt, a touch of olive oil and some water to mix into a smooth dough. Knead the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes. Then, crank it out. It cooks in just a few minutes in boiling salted water.
Nice summary of our day!
always a fun day with you guys
Makes me hungry! Might have to take a detour on our way home from Virginia.
Philly has a great food scene. Many great places to eat. If you do make a detour you might also like the Reading Terminal Market as well.
Your pictures are so clear, what kind of camera do you use! You have a great eye for composition. Looks like a great place to visit. And the fresh pasta looks devine. I need to learn how to cook fresh pasta. Next time you come up here to visit can you give me a lesson?
Carol Rollins
A pasta class with you is on the agenda! You will be surprised at how easy it is.The taste and consistency is like night and day to the store-bought box stuff. I have a Canon Rebel T6i. In the world of cameras it is nothing fancy. I use a 50mm lens, but truth be told for this blog post I just used my phone for the Philly shots. The pasta shot was with the Rebel. Thanks for the compliments!
Great seeing photos of you all and the trip down Philly Italian market.
Cousin, Nanee
>
always a good day anywhere with family