Sure to leave an impression

@KathrynCartini, Multimedia Storyteller

The Newburyport Farmers’ Market is a commonplace hot spot for sampling homemade eats made from the best farm fresh, local ingredients.

Held every Sunday at the Tannery Marketplace rain or shine, I love meeting all the local vendors who sell everything from produce, meat and cheese to wine, art and other handmade goods.

This time around I spotted VALICENTI ORGANICO, the #Pasta Farm known for “Exceptional Fresh Pasta, Gourmet Ravioli & Farm Sauces.” Ideal for creating a nice Sunday family dinner.

Founded in 2008 by Chefs David and Michelle Valicenti, the business started with Dave’s Superb RED GRAVY: Homegrown Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce. Valicenti Organico now offers this incredible sauce, as well as several ravioli varieties and fresh pasta.

Choices today included Arugula with Sheep’s Feta & Peppadew Peppers, Cheese (Ricotta & Grana Padano), Traditional Spinach, and Truffled Wild Mushroom. I chose the Slow BBQ Lamb with Caramelized Sweet Potato, which is one of their dairy-free options. They also had available Multigrain Rosemary Chicken with Cran-Apple & Brie and Brandied Lobster. Just think of how you could spice up a traditional New England lobster bake or Thanksgiving dinner?

According to the website, Valicenti Ravioli are stuffed with freshly prepared, homegrown and directly sourced local vegetables, meats and cheeses, which are roasted, braised and sautéed in a special way to deliver the most flavorful ravioli ever tasted. Wow, that’s a tall order.

Each container comes frozen and the directions call to keep the ravioli frozen before cooking. Then it’s straight to a pot of boiling water where the pasta cooks for only a few minutes before it’s ready to eat.

Now I served my lamb ravioli with a touch of melted yogurt butter. It was heaven the way each flavor combined with the next to produce such a well balanced pasta that was delicate and at the same time so complex. I’ve been dreaming about eating more all week.

As for Dave’s special Red Gravy? I picked up a jar of that too and served it over some of their fresh spaghetti a few nights later. Besides my grandmother’s and maybe the Spicy  HOT Tomato Oil from Pastabilities’ in Syracuse, NY, it’s the best I’ve ever had.

You can order Valicenti Organico Red Gravy online, or visit Dave and Michelle’s newly renovated Farm Kitchen at 11 Monument Square in Historic downtown Hollis, NH.