This Is Framingham

Actually I got this a few weeks ago but just posting about it now.  I was really excited to see that when I checked their site last month that there was an announcement of the long-awaited cookbook being available.
I got a few copies for my sister, my friend and myself.
I was really happy to see that the only place they are sold in Framingham is right around the corner from my work at a shop called Selections.

It’s at 935 Worcester Rd and they sell clothing, jewelry, gifts and more.
You can check out their site here: http://www.selectionsboutique.com/
To check out Joan and Ed’s cookbook page to order online, visit: http://www.jedelicookbook.com/
I haven’t made anything yet but I’m looking forward to trying their knish and kugel reicpes.

On Wednesday, April 6th, the FHC fundraiser Marathon Pasta Party will be hosted by two of the nicest guys in town - Charlie Sisitsky and Mike Grilli.   Dinner will be served from 5:30-7:30pm at Historic Village Hall (2 Oak Street).
The cost is $26.20 (for the 26.2 miles I’ll be running).

All proceeds to benefit the Framingham History Center.
There will be a variety of pastas, sauces, salad and desserts and it’s sure to be a fun time

Space is limited and we’d like to make sure we have enough food so if anyone would like to come you can make your reservation by emailing me at michelle@framinghamhistory.org

Or click below to buy tickets now:

Or…Checks can be made out to FHC and mailed to:
Framingham History Center
P.O. Box 2032
Framingham, MA  01703  

I feel like I never get to Target that often but last week I happened to visit which happened to be the week they unveiled their new grocery section.

They have everything from produce to frozen food to meats and dairy.  It’s a well-rounded grocery department with average prices.  I don’t know how often I’ll use it but I’m sure it will come in handy.
I also noticed they added a Starbucks

I used to think Starbucks was dumb and annoying, but now I don’t care, so good for them.  It looks nice and I’m sure it’ll get a lot of business.
The layout of the store is pretty much the same but a map at the front of the store helps find the items in the few departments that got relocated.  I don’t know of any Targets that have closed but it’s  nice to see them making an investment in the Framingham Store.

Tonight I went to the Sheraton Tara (even though I know it’s not called the Tara anymore) for the Taste of Metrowest event. I was there for work, manning the History Center’s informational table.  Of course one of the benefits of that was being able to walk around and sample all that the event had to offer and it was delicious.
I’ll give a quick pictorial run down because there was so much it was a little overwhelming and this isn’t even half of what was there:
Ice cream:

Noodles:


Tuna tartare with seaweed salad:

Burritos:

Desserts:

Walking candy table lady:

Crepes:

Dips:

Mini crab cakes:

There was just so much more but it was tough taking pictures in there. It was really packed with people and a little tough to navigate in there even though it wa sin the spacious “Grand Ballroom”.  I wanted to say hands-down the best thing I had tonight was from Tomasso.  Creamy polenta with braised shortrib and Parmesan cheese.  It doesn’t look like much but it was amazing!

I’ve never been to Tomasso because it’s pretty expensive, but I might just save up or request it for a birthday dinner or something because if the rest of their menu is this good, it would be worth checking out!

So congrats to the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce for having such a successful event and for having it in Framingham so I could blog about it. And thanks for my work for having me work some delicious over-time

Today I was at Trader Joe’s picking out a snack and decided to try their Greek style pomegranate yogurt. I know it’s a little silly but I like to reach in back to grab one of those closer in to the walk-in/stocking fridge thinking it’s colder (even though it’s probably just as cold as the ones in front but whatever..).  When I did, I felt something that wasn’t anything like a yogurt container and looked to see it was a plastic lobster.
I figured some kid left his/her toy there but then I saw it was wearing a shirt that stated it’s name was Rocky and to bring him up to the customer service desk for a prize(!)  I got to pick out a few lower-priced items (form anywhere in the store, not just from a predetermined selection) as my reward.   I had no idea TJ’s runs this kind of activity and thought it was funny that I randomly decided to try something I never had before and found Rocky.  It was such a treat and thought I’d pass it along that you may want to keep a look-out for Rocky at the Framingham Trader Joe’s.

Every Thursday on the center common the Farmer’s Market sets up from 12:30-5:30.  I love this time of year anyway but it’s so great to be able to check out the local fall harvest and other treats right outside my work.
This year they have added a couple of new vendors one selling fish and one selling fresh pasta.

An impressive variety of pasta offerings:

Of course here are poduce stands as well as breads and pastries:

I know the hours aren’t good for people who work until 5 in another town (like I used to and would be annoyed I couldn’t go) but if you can swing by, it’s worth checking out.  I’m not sure how many more weeks they’ll be there but you can check out their site for any announcements and links to the vendors’ websites: http://www.framinghamfarmersmarket1.org/

I’ve only been to Cintolo’s once before to get some signatures to run for town meeting but I heard they sell great homemade sausage on Thursdays so I went to check it out.
For anyone who doesn’t know, Cintolo’s is a little neighborhood market that has been in business for 70 years and people who go in there end up talking with Mr. & Mrs. Cintolo for a while, sometimes pulling up a chair and staying a while.   The nice thing is that if they don’t know they don’t make you feel like you don’t belong there. When I went in to buy the sausage, Mrs. Cintolo was asking me how I planned on cooking it and gave me suggestions on different recipes. 
Also, I  though it was cute that even though they’ve been in business so long and have a regular clientele, she was interested in how I heard about them.  She was just so nice and easy to talk to.  I went in there to get one thing and ended up talking with her for 10-15 minutes and she asked me to come back and let her know how I liked the sausage.
I sauteed it with onions and peppers and it was dee-licious!

This is one of the most adorable small business in Framingham and worth making the trip for sausage.
Cintolo’s is at 371 Grant Street.  They don’t have a sign anymore, I forgot to ask if it was because of a storm or the ridiculously strict sign regulations in town, but you should be able to recognize it by the striped awning in front of the store.