One of the best things about the holiday season in New York City is the arrival of the annual holiday markets, which take place in parks and squares around town. Made up of dozens of stalls manned by independent designers, artisans, and more, the markets are some of the best places to pick-up unique, personal gifts for everyone on your list (and maybe a few treats for yourself, too.) Even better, among all the products there is a wide array of delicious food items, including both giftable things and fresh goodies to snack on while you shop. Here’s a look at some of the Italian fare you’ll find in these festive market stalls.
Arancini
Founded in Brooklyn in 2011, Arancini Bros celebrates the fried, cheesy rice ball with a slew of unique flavors. Offerings change regularly, but along with the classic versions (such as saffron risotto stuffed with meat ragu), you might find options like Chicken Marsala, Pizzaiola (tomato, braised steak, oregano and garlic), Norma (eggplant, tomato, and ricotta salata), and Mushroom Taleggio. Find the Sicilian street food among the stalls of the Union Square Holiday Market.
Polenta and Focaccia Sandwiches
Along with the stalls of its Holiday Market, Bryant Park’s Winter Village features a separate indoor food hall called The Lodge, where multiple local eateries have their own outposts, surrounded by communal seating. Among them is Casa Toscana, where you can warm-up with a plate of polenta topped with things like porcini mushrooms, Tuscan sausage, and Bolognese sauce. Or opt for a hot sandwich; selections include Sexy Winter Night (with 24-month aged Tuscan prosciutto, whipped fresh stracchino cheese, wild porcinis, and arugula), or Spicy Bombastic, Hot & Fantastic (spicy Italian salami, melted fontina cheese, and fresh mozzarella fior di latte.)
Truffle Oil
You’ll also find great Italian-accented foodie gifts in the holiday markets, perfect for your next holiday party or for when visiting family. The Truffleist stalls in both the Union Square and Bryant Park markets feature gourmet goodies made with northern Italian truffles (as well as ones sourced in France and Spain.) Grab a bottle of small-batch truffle oil, a jar of truffle tapenade or hot sauce, or a package of pork bratwurst infused with two-percent black winter truffles (the last one is available only at Bryant Park.)
Panettone and Italian Food Gift Baskets
Located downtown at the World Trade Center, The Market at Westfield is an indoor wonderland complete with cobblestoned “streets”, live entertainment, and 22 shops from specialty brands—including Eataly. In addition to offering Italian holiday treats here, Eataly NYC Downtown (which connects to Westfield) will also have its own mercatino featuring gourmet gift baskets, panettone cakes, beautiful holiday desserts, and Italian-made products that can be packaged into a customized gift box. Of course, there will also be plenty of tastings and food demos.
Pizza and Antipasti
One of the longest-running indoor holiday markets in the city, the Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair shines the spotlight on 40 vendors that focus on handmade and American-made products, many of them working mainly with locally-sourced materials. There aren’t any food stalls in the main fair area, but just steps away in the main hall is Grand Central Market, a European-style foodie hub with 13 local vendors. Among them is Ceriello Fine Foods, a full-service butcher that stocks everything you’ll need to create the perfect antipasti platter, from soppressata and pancetta to Stravecchio provolone and fresh mozzarella. If you’re feeling peckish after shopping, head down to the dining concourse, where Prova Pizzabar from “Iron Chef” judge Donatella Arpaia serves an elevated menu of pasta, pizza, and her famous meatballs.