The Fork

Oh hey! The Southside Santa Fe Farmers Market is now open. Look for it in the parking lot of the Santa Fe Place Mall (near Sports Authority) every Tuesday 3-6 pm.

What's in season right now? Check the New Mexico Farmers Marketing Associaton's website to see what's usually on sale in a given month. July in Northern New Mexico means apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums. Last week, I bought some beautiful Ranier cherries from a roadside stand in Velarde. They were Trumpian (that means yuuuuuge). Don't miss this week's paper for my recipe for mini sweet cherry almond galettes! My dude generally hates sweets, and he really dug these.

Meanwhile, hit your favorite farmers market soon for tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash and garlic and throw together a bright summer ratatouille. Just slice the veggies (peel the eggplant—I like the skinny Japanese eggplants) and toss them with nice olive oil, salt and pepper, then dump them into a pan and roast at 400° F for about an hour. Toss with fresh basil and garnish with Parmesan.

It's great out of the oven and even better the next day. I like to fry up a little Italian sausage, throw in some ratatouille and toss that with rigatoni for a quick dinner.

If you go to the downtown market, why not buy a little extra and drop it by The Food Depot's booth? The food bank will be there every Saturday from 7 am-1 pm, collecting fresh food to distribute.

But maybe that all sounds like too much hassle for today. L'Olivier (229 Galisteo St., 989-1919) is hosting a Provence wine dinner next Thursday, July 21, at 6 pm, and the menu includes a ratatouille-stuffed zucchini (paired with a rosé). The $75-per-person menu also includes squash blossom beignets with slivered almond and saffron. The wines are from Domaines Ott. Yum!

Look for more squash blossoms over at 315 Restaurant and Wine Bar (315 Old Santa Fe Trail, 986-9190), where you'll find them fried and just waiting to be dipped in goat cheese fondue.

Or go get some summer pasta over at Il Piatto (95 W Marcy St., 984-1091). Did you know Il Piatto has a late-night happy hour? Have them make you a plate of pappardelle or a bowl of Bolognese. Or go light, with a charcuterie plate and a beet salad. Appetizers and wines by the glass are half-off 4:30-6 and 9-10:30 pm.

Oh, and Santacafé (231 Washington Ave., 984-1788) also does a happy hour with some half-price apps and a selection of $5 drinks. That's weekdays 4-6 pm. Where are your favorite happy hours in town? Let me know!

Now I'm thirsty.

Almost as thirsty as this little visitor I found in the dog water the other morning. Think we need a screen door?

Santa Fe Reporter