Celebrate the Day of the Dead with some tasty treats our ancestors would love!

We are celebrating Día de los Muertos with this Hispanic-inspired box with a Halloween twist, and want you to celebrate with us too! From mouthwatering empanadas and slow-roasted mole pork tacos, to apple cider, black kettle corn and more – we think you are going to love everything about this tasty food box. Plus, you’ll find two delicious recipes included in each box to make you a master chef at home.

Frank’s Quality Produce

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, there is no better place than Frank’s Quality Produce, located at the Corner Market Building of Pike Place Market. Three generations of the Genzale family have had a presence in the Pike Place Market, starting with Frank “Cheech” Genzale in 1928, and now Frank Jr., the current owner and operator of Franks’s Quality Produce. Locals choose this stall not just for the quality of produce, but because of the people that make this stall so special. It is not uncommon to find team members recommending recipes or describing flavors of veggies unfamiliar to those passing by. It is that kind of service that keeps locals loyal to their small business, and why we love working with this amazing family-owned operation.

Each week, Iconic Market Boxes include a box of produce, curated by Frank Jr. and his team. The produce changes based on availability and seasonality, ensuring that our customers get the best produce available – oftentimes much fresher and better than what can be found at the grocery store!

Please note that “classic” sized Iconic Market Boxes include a smaller assortment compared to “The Works” sized Iconic Market Boxes. Follow Frank’s Quality Produce on Instagram @franksqualityproduce.

Corfini Gourmet

Corfini Gourmet is not your ordinary distributer. This chef-driven company supplies the meat and seafood to some of the most well-recognized restaurants and shops in the city! Based in Seattle, their customers consider them to be a leading distributer amongst their peers for clean beef, pork, poultry, lamb, and game programs. They are also able to provide customers dry-aged products with the use of their unique dry-aging facility that is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest.

This week, Corfini is providing our Iconic Market Boxes with Lan Roc pork shoulder (2 pounds for “the works” size boxes, and 1 pound for “classic” size boxes) to use in our slow-roasted mole pork tacos – recipe below. Follow Corfini Gourmet on Instagram @corfini_gourmet.

La Mexicana

Did you know that Seattle is home to one of the oldest tortilla businesses in the Pacific Northwest? Founded in 1955, La Mexicana provides Seattle’s restaurants and groceries with locally made, fresh tortillas and tortilla chips. In the beginning, Rudy Martinez and another partner manufactured fresh corn and flour tortillas in a small building in White Center, WA two at a time on a small griddle. Martinez sold the business years later and it has continued to grow as a family business.

This week, Iconic Market Boxes come with a bag of Surito corn tortillas (about 36 total). These corn tortillas are gluten-free and are great to enjoy heated on their own, for quesadillas, or with tacos!

Speaking of tacos – find a killer recipe for mole pork tacos at the bottom of this article.

Maria Luisa Empanadas

When it comes to finding the best authentic empanadas in the Seattle area, one of our favorites is Maria Lusia Empanadas. Owned and operated by Chef Rodrigo Cappagli, the business is named after his grandmother, who would make hundreds of empanadas for her family’s Sunday family gatherings. Chef Rodrigo’s gourmet empanadas are each handmade using fresh ingredients – and are always made from scratch.

Iconic Market Boxes in “The Works” size will include 2 beef and 2 spinach and cheese empanadas from Maria Luisa Empanadas, while “classic” size boxes will include one of each type. Empanadas are packed frozen and come with easy-to-follow directions to heat and serve. Enjoy! Follow Maria Luisa Empanadas on Instagram @marialuisaempanadas.

Michou Deli

A favorite among the crafts vendors, artists and pretty much everyone who works in Pike Place Market, Michou World Class Deli makes another appearance in this week’s iconic Market Box. Michou’s bounty of panini-style sandwiches, soups, dips, desserts, and salads are beloved for their use of great quality ingredients, and lines are common in the morning and during the lunch rush.

This week Michou Deli has provided their Mexican Quinoa Salad in two different sizes: 24 ounces for “The Works” size boxes and 12 ounces for “classic: size boxes. Follow Michou Deli on Instagram @michoudeli.

Cupcake Royale

Cupcake Royale is often known as the first cupcake bakery to open outside of New York City, as well as Seattle’s first cupcake bakery and café. Founded in 2003, the brand has grown with multiple locations throughout the Seattle area and in turn has committed to supporting community efforts, such as annually donating over 40,000 cupcakes to help raise funds for local non-profits. Their cupcakes are all made from scratch daily, and ingredients are sourced from local Washington farmers and producers.

Each “works” box will include 2 pumpkin spice and 2 chocolate decorated cupcakes. “Classic” sizes will only include one of each flavor. Follow Cupcake Royale on Instagram @cupcakeroyale.

Cobb’s Gourmet Popcorn

If you ever take the elevator down to Western Avenue from the Main Arcade building, then you willm have no doubt walked directly past Cobb’s Gourmet Popcorn, owned and operated by Rowen Ring & Erin Cobb. Cobb’s originally started in a garage as Cobb’s bootleg popcorn, and was secretly sold and sought after by popcorn lovers in Seattle neighborhoods. As their reputation grew, they soon realized that going legit was better than a lawsuit, and the operation moved to the historic Pike Place Market. The brand takes pride in the idea that their popcorn is “guilt-free pleasure” – meaning that their ingredients are of the highest quality and they do not take shortcuts like some of their competitors. This difference can be experienced just by taste alone, which is why the business has encouraged sampling their products to potential guests who walk by. The statewide shutdown naturally took a toll on their business, especially since their products were rarely seen for sale online.

Get into the spooky holiday spirit with Cobb’s Black Kettle Corn in this week’s iconic box. If you are in need of more popcorn (and who isn’t), we have 2 other flavors available to add on to your order! Follow Cobb’s Popcorn on Instagram @cobbspopcorn.

Middle Fork Roasters

In 2009, a close-knit group of friends and coffee-lovers decided to put their passions first and began roasting coffee in the heart and soul of Seattle’s coffee scene. Since then, they have been regularly active in their community, giving back whenever they can and working with other businesses to help make their own coffee dreams come true. In fact, Middle Fork Roasters are responsible for providing the beans to many businesses around Seattle, including those in Pike Place Market.

We’re psyched that Middle Fork created the Savor Seattle Blend – a combination of Brazilian and Sumatran beans, delivering a bold yet buttery body with rich chocolate undertones. This laid-back blend provides an incredibly clean finish that is perfect for easing into your morning routine. Every “The Works” size Iconic Market Box includes a 1 lb. bag of whole bean coffee and is omitted from “Classic”
size boxes. Follow Middle Fork Roasters on Instagram @middleforkroasters.

indi chocolate

Pike Place Market is home to many amazing businesses, but one business that has made its mark is indi chocolate, a bean-to-bar chocolate factory and café. Erin Andrews founded indi chocolate over 12 years ago, after her daughters asked her where chocolate comes from. To answer their question, she took them to Belize to show them that cacao grows on tress, and soon after feel in love with the world of chocolate. She began using cacao beans in creative ways and applications such as soaps and body lotions and soon began to produce chocolate on her own. Erin takes pride in working directly with the cacao producers she works with around the world, to both ensure quality of cacao but also promote sustainable farming practices. The relationships she creates with cacao farmers are the roots to her business’s success, and that quality can be tasted with each bite and sip of their delicious chocolate and products.

Included in each Iconic Market Box is indi chocolate’s mole spice rub. Use it to make our mole pork tacos, recipe at the bottom of the article! Follow indi chocolate on Instagram @indichocolate.

Bellewood Farms

Washington is known for its apples, and don’t forget the apple cider! Bellewood Farms is a family- operated apple farm with 31 acres of high-density orchard, with 25,000 apple trees and 21 different varieties. If you are looking for a fun Fall activity, take a trip to the farm in Lynden, WA and visit their UPICK apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Perfect for families and couples, the 2-hour drive from Seattle makes it a fun half-day trip.

This week’s Iconic Market Box comes with a ½ gallon of apple cider from Bellewood Farms. Perfect hot or cold, we think you’ll taste the love from this batch of family farm cider! Follow Bellewood Farms on Instagram @bellewoodfarms.

Jonboy Caramels

If you ever experienced a Savor Seattle Food and Cultural Tour of Pike Place Market, then you might remember the last tasting of the tour – a Fleur de Sel caramel from Jonboy Caramels. The tasty little artisan confectionery business started in 2009 by Jason Alm and Jon Sue with a goal to create unforgettable small batch caramels using the best organic, local ingredients available. The company has recently expanded their offerings to include new caramel flavors and caramel sauces, and we couldn’t be more excited.

A 12-ounce bottle of Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce is included in each Iconic Market Box. Pro-tip: dip apple and pear slices into the sauce for a sweet and tart snack the whole family will love! Follow Jonboy Caramels on Instagram @jonbotcaramels.

Recipes

Mole Pork Tacos

Makes four to six servings

Estimated preparation time: 8+ hours

Mole Pork Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. pork shoulder, cut into cubes
• 1 tsp ground chili
• 4 tbsp. indi chocolate mole spice rub
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 limes (juiced)
• Salt & black pepper to taste

Taco Ingredients

• 8-12 warmed corn tortillas (double amount if using two per taco)
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 avocados, peeled, seeded and cut into slices
• Cilantro sprigs
• Lime wedges

Preheat a skillet to medium heat, add pork and sear on all sides with a little cooking oil to develop some color and flavor. Place pork, seasonings and broth in a slow cooker pot and cook on low for 8 hours. Using a fork, shred the pork, add lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Warm tortillas in an oven set to low, or in a microwave on a low setting. Place on a plate and cover with a clean towel to retain heat. Spoon pork onto a tortilla, topped with red onion, avocado, cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime. Serve and enjoy!

Finish with a fig quarter on top and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Groovy Guacamole

Makes one bowl

Estimated preparation time: 30 minutes

• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeno or Fresno pepper. finely chopped
• 2 large ripe avocados
• 1/2 Roma tomato, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• Salt & pepper to taste

Prepare ingredients in the order listed above. Wear plastic gloves while handling chilies.

Grind garlic, onions, and chili pepper using a mortar and pestle, or use a bowl with a potato masher to crush ingredients.

Halve avocados, remove seed and skin, and mash 2 halves at a time in the pestle or bowl until desired consistency, removing mixture to a serving bowl after each batch.

Add tomatoes, cilantro, and lime juice to the guacamole and cobine well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!