What I did by at Russo's

Asparagus was great grilled.

I don't have the best of luck with summer fruit; either don't let it ripen enough or let it go too long but I had great luck with these plums. They were sweet and juicy.

Let me wax rhapsodic about the 7 grain bread (Russo's own). It had just the right amount of chewiness, toasts nicely and is just about perfect.

Russo's brand brioches were also good. I toasted them and used them for buns for turkey burgers with carmelized onions and cheddar cheese.

Not pictured but maybe the best tasting purchase was the corn. The parmesan cheese was OK, smoother and less tangy than what I get at Sessa's. Next time, I'll make the trip to Sessa's.

Things I might buy at Russo's next time

Above is sweet Italian eggplant and below is graffitti eggplant. Only one way to find out what they taste like, right?

What I didn't buy at Russo's

This is dragon fruit (aka Chinese cactus pear) and it's a product of the US.

This is rambutan and product of Guatemala.

Ideas? I did find out that the buddha's hand that I saw on my last visit is used in marmalade. Also read someplace that it can be used as a substitute for a lemon twist in a cocktail.

Is it red or is it Russo's?

Here's a red-skinned bosc pear I bought at Russo's. I just got around to eating it (6 days after purchase); probably too long to have waited under normal circumstances. Pears can get too soft and a little mealy/gritty tasting if you leave them too long. But this one maintained its texture, was sweet and very juicy (not dribbling down your chin juicy which I hate). So the question is, is that because of the red skin (type) or Russo's (point of purchase)?

What the heck is that (or my trip to Russo's and the strange and wonderful things I found there)

Buddha's Hand was, by far, the most unusual item I saw. I'll get back to you (and Russo's to purchase) as soon as I find out how to use them for something other than a centerpiece.


Bitter melons from both China and India are not shaped like melons that I am familiar with. But then again, melons I'm familiar with are not bitter.

Another item I wasn't familiar with was lemon plums. Any one have any ideas?


Nothing unusual here. Just the beauty of a bakery counter.


And a shot of the plants.

Prices at Russo's overall seemed reasonable. I was a bit surprised that they didn't have more local produce but it's probably still early for New England grown produce. Russo's is a bit of a drive for me so it won't be a weekly trip but will definitely be back. We went at 11 am on Saturday which added to the overwhelmed feeling I had. Shoppers, as crowded as it was, were polite. Staff was very helpful. They had to go to the back to get me some sorrel. More on that after I make the potato sorrel soup that I have been dying to try for several years but for the fact that I could never find sorrel.