Zucchini 500 XVII

Not only are neighborhood farmers markets healthy, delicious, and fun, they are an important way to support local farms. Years ago we were looking for a way to be more involved with the local farmers markets so we were excited to take over sponsorship of the ever popular Zucchini 500 races. The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance holds these races at a few Farmers Markets around the city to celebrate the bounty of the local zucchini crop. The event is now in its seventeenth year.

Children (of all ages) will find boxes and boxes of zucchini awaiting creative engineers to turn them into custom-built zucchini racers. Everything needed is there. Attach wheels and decorations and wait your turn to roll your courgette to glory on the Market’s Race Track.

Afterwards join our ace crew for a pizza dough toss. We provide the dough and the know-how. Soon your kid will be tossing dough like an expert. It’s great fun for all.

Inspired by our years of sponsoring the event we created a seasonal special, the Zucchini 500 Primo. We brush thin slices of zucchini with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast it before combining it with garden fresh roasted cherry tomatoes, Isernio’s chicken sausage, and mozzarella, on an olive oil brushed crust. The Zucchini 500 Primo is available in our stores or for delivery through September 8th. Throughout the duration of the special you can add roasted zucchini or cherry tomatoes as a topping to any other pie.

Come join us for some fun at your neighborhood farmers market. Here are the dates of the zucchini races:

August 21, Phinney Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m.

September 3rd, Lake City Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m.

September 9th, Columbia City Farmers Market: 3-6 p.m. (Sorry, no dough toss.)

September 13th, West Seattle Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.