Passata Day is an annual Italian-Australian tradition where families and friends gather to make delicious tomato sauces from scratch. And this year Mercato are bringing back their annual Passata Day where you can join in on the saucy action.
On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February, Mercato’s Italian wholesale and delicatessen market in Campbelltown will see red. The ripest, juiciest, locally grown, red Roma tomatoes that is.
Across both days between 10am and 2pm, the not stain-friendly ritual invites you to experience the art of how to make your own Passata and Pelati (whole peeled tomatoes) under the watchful eye of Imma, Mario, and their Mercato crew.
Managing Director of Mercato, John Caporaso is also getting his friends and family involved to aid the process of perfect passata-making, and also teaching the tomato-trainees about the history of the messy day.
There’ll be choppin, there’ll be boilin’, and equally as importantly, there’ll be bottlin’; steps which sound seemingly simple, but a meticulous process all in all to finish with a heavenly product for your pizzas and pastas alike.
Speaking of P and P; when the handiwork is over, you’ll be able to sit down to a shared feast by Nick Bergin where your bottled goods will be utilised with paired wines to boot.
“To us, it is the true essence of togetherness in action where the community comes together to make something special, that can be shared by all throughout the year and to continue for generations to come,” Mercato states.
And this isn’t just for Italians. If Italian heritage and traditions aren’t your strong point, at Mercato’s Passata Day everyone is welcome to learn about this key cultural gathering.
Tickets for Mercato’s Passata Day also includes a goodie bag to take home (yes, you’ll be taking your own fine passata and pelati too), and 10 per cent off retail purchases on the day.
Mercato’s Passata Day will run from 10am through to 2pm at their Campbelltown store on 18 and 19 February 2023. Tickets are essential, as is having a mighty fine time – ciao!