Central Market Fort Worth's parking lot becomes the stage for our grand reproduction of "La Tomatina" – the world's largest tomato fight! Watch some of your favorite Central Market Partners find inventive ways to launch tomatoes at each other! Grab a seat on the bleachers to watch the spectacle and enjoy great food from H.E.A.T., our mobile Food Truck. After the pelting is finished, meander back to our patio for more great Food Truck fare and live music from 6:30-9:30 PM.
Handmade olive oil soap is prized for its rich vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which nourish the skin. Gentle and appropriate for everyone, it penetrates deeply and works wonders on inflamed or sensitive skin.
From the Catalonia region of Spain, Can Solivera’s pure olive oil soaps are made with only cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, well water, sea salt, citric acid and essential oils from rosemary and lavender leaves and pine needles. Maintaining the cool temperature during the production process preserves the unique properties of the extra virgin olive oil, and the essential oils are derived from the trees and shrubs grown alongside the olive oil trees on the Can Solivera estate. Because of its delightful, subtle fragrance and creamy foam, your skin will thank you with every use.
These soaps debut at Central Market during Passport Spain, but we like them so much, we think we’ll keep them around awhile. Find them in our Healthy Living department.
Daida, A Mediterranean Fragrance, was created by the founder of Can Solivera, artisanal producer of olive oils and olive oil products, as a gift for his wife, Daida. This roll-on perfume is made without alcohol; it contains only extra virgin olive oil and six of most exquisite natural essential oils of the world: sandalwood (India), jasmine (India), neroli (North Africa), ylang-ylang (Comoros Islands), Damascus rose (Bulgaria), and veviter (Haiti).
Give it as a gift or keep it for yourself, as a keepsake of Passport Spain. Find it in our Healthy Living department.
During our buying trip to Madrid in October 2010, we were looking for the best chocolate we could find. We came across one of Oriol Balaguer’s shops in a beautiful neighborhood in Madrid. The pastries, confections and chocolate were divine!
Balaguer, world champion of patisserie (2001) and best pastry chef in Spain (2008), attended the Confectionary Trade School of Barcelona. He has worked with the world’s greatest culinary talents, including Ferran Adria of elBulli, who has called him “one of the most well-rounded professionals in the world of gastronomy.”
For Passport Spain, Central Market has brought in two of Balaguer’s best dark chocolate bars: the Barcelona bar (80% cacao) and Madrid bar (75% cacao), available only until May 24. In addition, we’re offering Balaguer’s Collection 9 ganache-filled pralines, which combine the best of his pastry skills and the fun, cool flavors prevalent in modern Spanish gastronomy.
All of Balaguer’s confections are handmade, and the items at Central Market were produced only four weeks ago and flown over from Spain. The flavors are superb, and the chocolate has all of the great flavors you expect in a dark bar, with the creamy mouth feel of a milk chocolate.
Get these decadent bars and pralines while they last!
We’ve been in a whirlwind of flavors and sights and sounds from Spain—and we’re not done yet. Be sure to visit your store to get in on the fun.
We’ve got Spanish dancers, dueling guitaras and, more important, amazing sips and samples of new cheeses, olives, olive oils, spices, vinegars and wines not yet seen in the U.S.
The hams! The seafood! The tapas and paellas and churros and gambas and cavas! See what it’s all about during our final weekend of Passport Spain. Your palate will certainly say mil gracias.
What taste of Spain do you want to explore this weekend?
Pimientos del piquillo rellenos, or stuffed piquillo peppers, are one of many classic tapas enjoyed in bars and cafes throughout Spain. Though they resemble red jalapeños, piquillos are slightly sweet, and a little smoky when roasted, which makes their flavor more similar to bell peppers than chilies. These pretty red peppers can be stuffed with meat, cheese and seafood.
As part of Passport Spain, Central Market is now offering frozen pimientos del piquillo rellenos de bacalao y gambas—try saying that three times fast!—or piquillos stuffed with codfish and shrimp. A product of Chef Don Molinico, we are extremely impressed with the flavor and texture of this Spanish classic, which are so easy to prepare. Just heat the peppers in a skillet with a little extra virgin olive oil for about 12 minutes. Can you say instant dinner party? Well, at least instant tapas party, si?
These piquillo peppers are delightful solo or accompanied by another one of our favorite new products, Chovi Allioli, available in flavors such as traditional, chives & parsley and sundried tomatoes & EVOO. These alliolis, an emulsion of garlic, salt and olive oil, are smartly packaged in containers that resemble the mortar used in homes to prepare this quintessentially Mediterranean sauce. Find them in our Dairy department.
Chef Don Molinico piquillo peppers and Chovi Allioli are on sale through May 24, for $4.99/each and 2 for $7, respectively.
Are you ready to meet the H.E.A.T. this weekend? Experience the flavors of España from our food truck at Central Market Fort Worth, this Thursday-Saturday, May 19-21, from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy tapas, paella and more while listening to live music, including authentic Spanish guitar.
Among the can’t-miss bites:
Pork Skewers Grilled boneless pork shoulder seasoned with garlic, coriander, pimenton and lemon
Lamb Skewers
Grilled lamb seasoned with cilantro, cumin, paprika and lime
Grilled Chicken With Saffron Aïoli
Grilled and seasoned skin-on airline chicken breast served with saffron aïoli
Ensalada Rusa
A cool potato salad with tuna, boiled egg, roasted red peppers, olives and green beans
Salpicon
Seafood salad with monkfish, shrimp, octopus, lime juice, orange juice, red onion, tomato, serrano peppers and cilantro
Stuffed Piquillo Peppers
Stuffed with goat cheese and garnished with olive oil and parsley
Tapas Platter
Choose three of the items listed above to build your own tapas platter
Chorizo Bocadillo
Grilled Spanish chorizo on a fresh baked baguette topped with piquillo peppers and Spanish tomato sauce
Paella on the Patio
A saffron-infused rice dish with chorizo, squid, shrimp, sofrito, clams, mussels, peas, green beans and roasted red peppers. Also available with chicken.
Pan Rustico
Rustic-style yeasted Spanish bread
Hot Churros
Coated in cinnamon and sugar and served with chocolate sauce
The fiesta is in full swing at Central Market Houston, and we don’t want you to miss a minute! Come explore the flavors of Spain with exclusive, meet-the-winemaker events on our patio and in our cooking school this Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. During these casual walk-around receptions, enjoy live Spanish music and delicious small plates paired with featured Spanish wines.
Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 p.m.
In Pursuit of Diversity, Complexity & Value With Patrick Mata, $35 Reserve now
Friday, May 20, 6:30 p.m.
Spanish Sparkling Wines With Michel Parellada and La Casa De Espana, $35
Ok, you caught us. Mariscos actually means seafood. But the Spanish are adventurous with seafood! With more than 3,000 miles of coast along the Mediterranean, fresh fish, shellfish, octopus and squid are the pride of Spain.
We’ve got so much for you to try in stores during Passport Spain. Go beyond shrimp—though garliky gambas may be calling your name—to try something fresh:
Mussels: Cook mejillones in wine and serve with a simple herbed butter or favorite fresh salsa.
Salt Cod: Traditional, versatile bacalao can be marinated, fried and served with garlic and paprika.
Mini Octopus: Pair the sweet meat with salt and smoky paprika. Just pound it first to make it tender.
Ready for a little adventure? Check our recipes for inspiration!
On Saturday, May 21, noon-4 p.m., Central Market Austin North Lamar will host Carbonell, the leading producer of olive oil in Spain. The Cafe Deck will be transformed into a tapas and olive oil tasting station, as chefs prepare and serve complimentary tastes of Spain’s famous dish: paella. Professional flamenco dancers and guitarist will provide the entertainment. So step lively, brush up on your Spanish and bring your appetites as you enjoy the bounty of southern Spain!
Central Market Fort Worth's parking lot becomes the stage for our grand reproduction of "La Tomatina" – the world's largest tomato fight! Watch some of your favorite Central Market Partners find inventive ways to launch tomatoes at each other! Grab a seat on the bleachers to watch the spectacle and enjoy great food from H.E.A.T., our mobile Food Truck. After the pelting is finished, meander back to our patio for more great Food Truck fare and live music from 6:30-9:30 PM.
Daida, A Mediterranean Fragrance, was created by the founder of 
During our buying trip to Madrid in October 2010, we were looking for the best chocolate we could find. We came across one of Oriol Balaguer’s shops in a beautiful neighborhood in Madrid. The pastries, confections and chocolate were divine!
Pimientos del piquillo rellenos, or stuffed piquillo peppers, are one of many classic tapas enjoyed in bars and cafes throughout Spain. Though they resemble red jalapeños, piquillos are slightly sweet, and a little smoky when roasted, which makes their flavor more similar to bell peppers than chilies. These pretty red peppers can be stuffed with meat, cheese and seafood.
Are you ready to meet the H.E.A.T. this weekend? Experience the flavors of España from our food truck at Central Market Fort Worth, this Thursday-Saturday, May 19-21, from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy tapas, paella and more while listening to live music, including authentic Spanish guitar.
The fiesta is in full swing at Central Market Houston, and we don’t want you to miss a minute! Come explore the flavors of Spain with exclusive, meet-the-winemaker events on our patio and in our cooking school this Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. During these casual walk-around receptions, enjoy live Spanish music and delicious small plates paired with featured Spanish wines. 
