5 Local Foods That Will Help You Set out a Cinco de Mayo Spread

clams and chorizo_lluciano.jpg

How to celebrate our favorite Mexican/American holiday when avocados aren’t local and there’s that lime shortage? Out East Foodie Laura Luciano scoured the farmers markets (Riverhead is a favorite) local shops and fish stores to come up with some ideas. You don’t have to be locked into a margarita when local wine can make a delicious Latin-tinged sipper.

 

1. Amagansett Sea Salt

amagansetteseasalt_lluciano.jpg

OK. It’s hard to resist a tequila, but there are so many ways to make margaritas. Or you can stick to shots and use local salt as the entry. Amagansett Sea Salt comes in a lemon flavor that almost negates the need for a lemon wedge after you down your favorite agave-based booze.

 

2. Amy’s Ark Farm

amysarkstudiofarm_lluciano.jpp

The Westhampton-based studio/farm/snack maker sells her hummus dips at the Riverhead Farmers Market and at the Westhampton Beach Farmers Market — which starts up again next weekend! — so you can give the guacamole a rest.

 

3. Clams from Cor-J

CorJseafood_lluciano.jpg

Think of lots of organic garlic from Garden of Eve, parsley that’s just emerging from the greenhouses and butter. Laura made a stew with Cor-J’s clams and chorizo (pictured above) that could be served as a main dish or an appetizer.

 

4. Gula Gula Empanadas

gulagula_lluciano

Everyone likes a hot easily eaten finger food. The empanadas made by Luisa Masliah were featured in our Spring 2014 issue. Get ’em while they’re hot.

 

5. Sangria a Go-Go

corkandjug_lluciano

The good folks at Cork & Jug in Hampton Bays were a treasure trove of ideas for Sangria using local wine. Recipes below. Now you can raise a glass to toast Old Mexico while staying true to the East End.

Sparkling Sangria
1 cup raspberries
2 peaches pitted thinly sliced
1 lime thinly sliced
2 cups canton ginger Liquor
32-oz bottle peach nectar

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or mixing bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours to let flavors mingle. Serve over ice and top with Wölffer sparkling, cool briefly as well.

Jam Sangria
5 strawberries sliced
1 plum pitted and siced
1 cup Duck Walk blue berry port
1 teaspoon of ground cloves
1 bottle Sherwood House Oregon Road Merlot

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate.

Carmel Apple Sangria
1 bottle of Wölffer Big Apple
1/2 cup of Stoli Salt Carmel Vodka
1/2 galloon of Halsey Farm Cider

Mix in a pitcher and refrigerate for an hour, Garnish with a think slice of apple

Orange Sangria
1 clementine, sliced
1 navel orange, sliced
2 blood orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 cup Stirrings Triple Sec
1 bottle of Pindar Winter White

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate for 1 hour.

 

All photos by Laura Luciano

 

Newsletter