Turkey, not just for Thanksgiving
Plus Visits to Market in the Square and The Nickle Plate Eatery & Marketplace
For us, this past week was about exploring new markets. A craving for Thanksgiving dinner and the subsequent quest for a turkey breast, led us to one. A social media post informed me of the other and brought us to an area of Buffalo rich with food history.
Upon learning of the opening of The Nickle Plate Eatery & Marketplace at 1500 Clinton Street #174 in Buffalo in the NFFT. Before our visit, I felt the need to do a little research on the history of The Niagara Frontier Food Terminal. Established in 1931, the food market terminal spanned 60 acres including 10 buildings divided into stalls for over 60 individual merchants. Present day, the terminal is host to a filling station as well as storage and space to rent with a focus on food and beverage production, wholesale food, specialty culinary shops, and grocery businesses. Art space and studios occupy the second floor.
The Nickle Plate Eatery & Marketplace was set to open earlier this year but had fallen off my radar until this past weekend when I saw a post on social media announcing that they were now open. Operating seven days a week, this new business is an artisan marketplace with a restaurant and bar. The selection of products available span from locally-made food and beverage products, Buffalo-themed clothing and merchandize, jewelry, home goods, art, candles, soaps, and accessories for both people and pets. Set up as a co-op/collective, space is still available to rent for additional, local artisans.
Back in October, I wrote about options for Smaller/Specialty Markets in our area. At the time, I had yet to visit Market in the Square with two locations, one in the Southgate plaza at 940 Union Road in West Seneca, and the other in Budwey’s Plaza at 535 Division Street in North Tonawanda. Market in the Square has replaced the old Budwey’s in that second location but the plaza retains the old name.
Several years ago, I polled social media for a recommendation on where to find a turkey breast. Although frozen rather than fresh, the answer was Budwey’s. I am happy to report that they are still available at the store’s new incarnation. As my roommate and I did several years ago, Jeff and I recently prepared a scaled-down Thanksgiving dinner because you don’t need to limit this meal to once a year in November. Even scaled-down, with only a breast, we had plenty of leftovers. This led us to search for recipes utilizing leftover turkey (or chicken).
We ended up going with this one: Turkey Tetrazzini with Spinach and Mushrooms Recipe from Food Network Kitchen. You could easily use leftovers from a rotisserie chicken as well. I would have preferred a creamier sauce and may incorporate a roux next time. But it was a really easy recipe that came together quickly, perfect for busy week nights and repurposing leftovers.