In 2014, I told you 14 things about food only Mercer County residents

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my nearly two decades here, it’s that Mercer County residents take their food seriously. I wrote this in May of 2014. It took me nearly 11 years to work up the courage (and knowledge) to make sure I got it right. Or at least close enough ….

Born, raised or live in Trenton? Hamilton? Princeton? Any other Mercer County (or surrounding) towns?

Well, if you count yourself as one of us, then you’ll probably nod along to the following: 14 Food Facts Only Mercer County People Know …

1) When purchasing Halo Ice Cream by the pint, you always — always — buy three. There’s no other way that makes any economic sense.

2) You know the Halo cashew and caramel is the best ice cream on the planet. (OK fine, that just might be me, but I’m telling you: Ridiculous. Just ridiculous. And you get a cashew or two in every bite. They are not skimping on the cashew front. I repeat: No cashew skimping. Someone should alert Larry David.)

3) You know how sometimes you think you know something, but you’re not 100 percent sure, so you don’t tell anybody for fear of being ridiculed? Yeah, that’s pretty much the way just about anyone feels who thinks such-andsuch pizza joint makes a better tomato pie than Papa’s or either of the DeLorenzo’s. Listen: We all have our favorites. Be strong. You like someone else’s tomato pie better? Don’t be afraid to say so. We’re all adults here.

4) Even if you’re a lactose intolerant kosher diabetic vegetarian, you still kind of want to try the chocolate covered bacon from David Bradley Chocolatier in Windsor. I mean seriously, what’s their billboard budget? A trillion dollars?

5) You actually feel sad for people who aren’t buying their seasonal produce at the Trenton Farmers Market. The fruits and vegetables are literally being picked that morning and driven to the market. These are real farmers. They farm. And the prices are great. To be clear: Farm fresh, less expensive, actual farmers. How that place isn’t jampacked all day, every day I have no idea.

6) While we’re on the Trenton Farmers Market, know this: (Redacted) has the best tomatoes at the market.

7) Seriously, you think the DeLorenzo’s vs. Papa’s, Taylor vs. Case arguments get heated? Start talking about who’s got the best tomatoes at the Trenton Farmers Market and you might find yourself on the wrong end of a pitchfork. (Actually, upon further reflection, either end of a pitchfork could be the wrong end. But I digress ...

8) I’m about to coin a term here, so get ready: Tomato, mozzarella and basil (or pesto) w/ salt and pepper shall henceforth be known as Italian sushi. It has the same mouthfeel (and I use that word knowing I sound like a total foofa-loof) and they both hit that umami note. And I can eat it every day all summer long. Gimmie a hunk of a baguette and some olive oil, glass or three of wine … forget it. Best meal ever.

9) Ground that’s been covered before, but needs to be covered again: Pork roll is freaking delicious. Is it possible there’s a human being who has tried it and didn’t like it? Seems like an unreasonable stance to take. Like not being a fan of oxygen.

10) Can we talk sauce vs. gravy again for a moment? Now this is a food topic we’re never going to get a consensus on. People are serious when it comes to this. I wrote a piece back in 2010, and it really didn’t settle anything. I posted something on Facebook the other day, and it really didn’t settle anything. I think the closest we’re going to get is the following, courtesy of Nancy Pangaldi of Lawrence: “Sauce is for pasta and gravy is for meat.” Longer version: If there’s meat in the sauce, it’s now gravy. So all gravy is sauce, but not all sauce is gravy. (And yes, I realize I’m not Italian, but I’m a Jewish guy who grew up in north Jersey, which is about as close as you can get to being Italian without being Italian. It’s true. Look it up.)

11) You’re aware the chocolate croissants at the Little Chef Pastry Shop on Tulane Street in Princeton are, quite possibly, the world’s best and that if you want one, you’re best served by setting your alarm clock for pre-dawn.

12) You know Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs in Lawrence is quickly becoming an institution.

13) You have left the Italian-American Festival on a Friday night saying something like, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I ate all that. Never again,” only to find yourself back for lunch on Saturday.

And finally ...

14) Chicken cacciatore? In a white wine sauce, never a red sauce. (Or gravy. Shut up.)