The Agriculturalist

This impromptu farmer intermittently operates outside of what used to be "La Papa" -- down 30th Avenue, off Crescent.  "Corn so  good, you can eat it raw", touts the New Jersey native.  I can't attest to that, but I will say they have the largest eggplants I've ever seen.

Get while the gettin' is good, and try your hand at this lentil-eggplant misculanza:

2 # fresh eggplant, sliced or quartered
1/2 cup lentils
1-2 roasted red peppers
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 TBS chopped mint
1 TBS vin cotto

1. cook the lentils in boiling salted water until tender, about 40 minutes.  drain and reserve.
2. grill/griddle/sauté the eggplant over medium-high heat until cooked-through, about 12 minutes.
3. combine the eggplant, drained lentils, garlic, peppers, olive oil and vinegar.  toss to combine.  
4. add mint and vin cotto.  taste, season and serve. 

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

East of the Feast

If you are in the neighborhood for The Feast, keep Dragon Land Bakery (DLB) on your radar -- just in case you get tired of stuffing your face w/ cannoli and sausage.  It's actually southwest of the San Gennaro Feast, but that doesn't make for a good title, does it?


Dragon Land Bakery
125 Walker St (b/w Centre & Baxter)
New York, NY 10013

DLB offers a wide variety of well-prepared buns, both sweet and savory.  The prices are straight out of 1978, so buy a bunch and see what floats your boat.  You can't go wrong w/ the infamous hot dog bun, but do try the corn & ham -- a personal favorite.  They also have a bunch of exotic drinks you've probably never considered, like sugar cane juice.

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

The 'Cuse is Loose

I spent the Labor Day weekend up in Syracuse visiting an old college roommate.  The trip was impromptu, and we had the good fortune of being in town during the annual NY State Fair.  The long & short -- that shit was wild.

With dignity checked at the door, I was able to focus on a complete consumption strategy, devouring 3 days of food & drink in about 8 hours.

The bacon-wrapped hotdog doughnut was probably the most outrageous edible, but the MVP award goes to the hot beef sundae.  "A hot beef sundae?", you ask? It's a scoop of mashed potatoes, topped w/ succulent pot roast, sour cream & a cherry tomato, done up to look like an ice cream sundae.  

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com