4th of July BBQ Ideas

With the Fourth of July coming up, we know that there will be many celebrations and bbqs coming up! Being able to sit outside and enjoy some good barbecue with people you love creates some of the best summer memories. We can help you create some barbecue memories because we have all the grilling essentials you need this summer!

There are so many things that taste better when they are out on the grill. Here are 5 items you need for your 4th of July cookouts. 

Corn

You can either  put the corn on there with the husks and everything or peel the husks, remove the silk, add your seasonings, and let the corn sit on the grill. This gives the corn a delicious and fresh flavor. The grill leaves the corn warmed and with an unmatched and distinct taste. Whether the classic salt and butter, getting creative with some lime juice, or adding some spice like paprika or tajin, corn is a must! 

Pineapple

Feeling adventurous? Try grilling your pineapple! You can cut your pineapple into rings or spears, then put them on the grill. Grilling pineapple allows for the natural sweetness of pineapple itself to caramelize. This caramelization process gives it a delicious taste that can be used in so many ways. You can enjoy grilled pineapple with ice cream as a dessert, chop it up with some grilled onions and make it into a salsa that would taste great on steak, or add it to your burger!

Veggies

Veggies taste great on the grill! Things like zucchini, eggplant, onions, peppers and more are all easy to grill and delicious. The grill gives it a wonderful charred flavor with little work and little mess!

Now we are getting to the main event of all barbecues– the meat! Our meat department offers a variety of the freshest products perfect for your barbecue. Our unique items will give your party or dinner a delicious and flavorful twist!

Kabobs

In our meat department, you will find a variety of pre made and pre-marinated kabobs that are a big hit at BBQs. Steak, chicken, or pork with peppers and onions, all the work is done for you! Just grill and enjoy!

Burgers

Everyone loves a good burger. Our ground round, chuck, or top sirloin burgers are all incredibly juicy. If you’re looking for something a little different to add to your menu, try our stuffed burgers! With three different options, these can satisfy a range of people. For those who like spicy, try our jalapeno cheddar burgers. For those that like cheese, we offer a blue cheese stuffed burger. For the meat lovers, try our bacon cheddar burgers! These will melt in your mouth and make your tastebuds dance with flavor!

Marinated Proteins

We all know that the flavor of the main dishes has a lot to do with the marinades, that is why we offer tons of pre-marinated fish, chicken, and meat! In tons of varieties for whatever your taste buds are calling for, this is an easy BBQ staple! Garlic parmesan chicken breast, Mediterranean salmon, greek chicken drumsticks, and more!

Sausage

What summer bbq is complete without some of our homemade sausage? Our sausage is made in house daily. Our recipe has been tweaked and perfected over the years. It is made th old-world way, by hand using lean pork and private seasoning blend. There is nothing quite like our homemade sausage. Hot or mild, links or rope, traditional or barese– we have it and we have dedicated a lot of time and effort to making it perfect.

These are just a few, stop by our meat department for stuffed jalepenos wrapped in bacon, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed peppers, and more! Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

From Our Family To Yours

La Bella Romana Prepared Foods

As a family owned and operated company, we know how important what you feed your family is. We take pride in offering our extended family of customers . We go to great lengths to prepare high quality foods using the freshest and healthiest ingredients. 

Did you know that in our warehouse, located in Carol Stream, we have a kitchen where we prepare the foods that you see in-store? We make everything from scratch, exactly how you would at home… just without all the mess! We use fresh food and produce straight from our shelves to prepare these meals and dishes so you can trust what you’re getting. 

We also have state of the art technology which aids in our cooking process. Because of this equipment, we are able to extend the shelf life of our products without adding any preservatives or additives. All of the items in our prepared foods section are all natural and made from scratch using only high quality ingredients. 

Our offerings range from individual portions to family size meals. We have pans of pasta, different varieties of chicken, soups, sauces, and more. Whether you are looking for a complete meal or you just need a sous-chef for the night and want to pick up a protein or pasta, we have what you need. You can do things like make your own parmigiana dishes with our marinara sauce, make your own eggplant salad with our breaded eggplant, put our lemon sauce over fish or chicken, add chicken to your pasta with our prepared chicken, serve our meatballs on pasta night, and so much more.  

We even have Italian specialties like arancini, panzerotti, and seasonal dishes for holidays– calzone on Easter anyone?

Our prepared foods are available in our prepared food case in each store. It is also available in our hot foods department and through catering! We have tons of options and cuisines for every gathering. 

Take a look inside our kitchen to see what we do, then stop in and try some food for yourself… you won’t be disappointed!

From Our Family To Yours

Father’s Day 2023

This upcoming Sunday is Father’s Day! The day is dedicated to appreciating all the father figures in a person’s life. It is a day to acknowledge all the valuable lessons, laughs, and guidance they have given over the years. Maybe you’re firing up the grill and getting ready for a BBQ or doing whatever dad chooses!  With Father’s Day this Sunday, I can’t help but think of two very important men in my life and in our company. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize my father, Robertino Presta, and grandfather, Angelo Caputo.

My father started working at Caputo’s at a very young age. My grandfather hired him because of his strength and work ethic. His efficiency in unloading the trucks as a teenager is a testament to his ability to work hard. He never hesitates to step in during any task. He embraces all challenges, coming up with unique and efficient ways to get past them. 

He has helped us and the business grow, including taking us to levels that we never thought were imaginable. Each step and new chapter is still based on the foundation instilled in him by my grandparents and constantly re-enforced by my mom. 

One of the things I feel most fortunate for is that my father believes in us, sometimes more than we believe in ourselves. He doesn’t make us feel like we cannot handle a situation. He uses his mistakes to encourage us to do the same. My siblings and I talked about some of the many lessons we have learned from our dad and a few of the highlights are

  • You are capable of doing and accomplishing more than you think
  • Healthy competition 
  • There is always a solution or way to fix something
  • You succeed by putting in the work
  • Don’t expect others to take care of things for you, you get it done

He helps to give us the tools we need to succeed and guides us towards the path of success. I have learned so much from not only my father, but my grandfather too. 

Angelo Caputo was not only my grandfather, but an inspiration, another father, and a role model. His absence leaves us with a gaping hole, but we know he is always with us.

My grandfather and our patriarch, Angelo Caputo, has always been one of my biggest inspirations. He was a true testament of a hard working, dedicated man. Our whole business is built on his blood, sweat, and tears. 

He led a life of hard work and was the strongest man I knew. He was constantly faced with challenges, but never let anything stand between him and his goal. 

He was always there for a story, a lesson, a phone call, or an esspressino date. He took the time to sit with us and pass along important tools and some of his wisdom. From teaching us how to clean up a produce display or telling us stories from his childhood, he was always there for us. The many lessons he taught us are beautiful memories that we will cherish and carry with us forever.

I am very lucky to have these two strong men as role models. My father and grandfather are incredible people whose sacrifices and hard work have led to many great achievements. I have the utmost respect for these two men and strive to make them proud. 

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures 

From Our Family To Yours

Celebrating National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month!

At Angelo Caputo’s, we believe fresh fruit and vegetables should be celebrated year-round! June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, a time for everyone to embrace the beautiful colors and delicious tastes of nature’s bounty!

Did you know we get our produce fresh daily? Our buyers start their day very early and head out to check on the available produce and buy it so that it ends up I Nour stores that very same day. We also do a lot of business with local farmers, some we have been doing business with for generations!

Discover the Power of Fresh Produce 

Fruits and vegetables are the superheroes of nutrition. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In most cases, they’re very portable and can fit in your backpack or purse (exceptions include an entire watermelon or a pumpkin). Most require no cooking to enjoy. Just wash or peel. Veggies and fruit are vital in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. From the crisp crunch of a cucumber to the juicy sweetness of a strawberry, each bite is a bite towards vitality and well-being. So, let’s raise our glasses (filled with a refreshing fruit or veggie smoothie, of course) to the nutritional powerhouses that keep us energized and thriving! 

Embrace the Joy of Fruits & Vegetables 

If, like many of us, you struggle to increase the number of fruits and vegetables in your diet, National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month is a great time to tweak and improve your shopping and dining habits. Here are a few tips to get you started.   

  1. Make fruits and vegetables readily available. After doing your grocery shopping, prep vegetables for easy snacking. Wash and prep vegetables and store them in small containers for grab-and-go snacks. Have fruits like bananas and apples easily accessible on the kitchen counter.  
  2. Make vegetables the main attraction at dinner. Instead of having vegetables as a side dish, try new dishes centered around vegetables. For example, grain bowls, stir-fries, and hearty salads are fantastic and easy ways to incorporate vegetables. You don’t need to go whole vegetarian to get more vegetables in your diet. Salads with chicken and steak make filling entrees.  
  3.  Let your kitchen become a playground! Have some fun! Try new cooking methods, visit farmer’s markets, and experiment with different and unusual vegetables and fruits. Buy in small quantities and let your taste buds be the captain of this new adventure.   

Make Healthy Eating a Delicious Habit 

Keep in mind that eating healthy does not mean we need to sacrifice flavor and satisfaction. Eating should be about pleasure and nourishment for both the mind and body. Like exercising, eating fruits and vegetables, you enjoy means you’ll eat them more and make them more of a habit. There’s no sense in eating kale (or doing burpees) if you absolutely don’t like it. Although our Kale Quesadillas may change your mind about this super veggie, how to enjoy burpees – please let us know.   

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month is the perfect time to explore creative recipes that showcase the deliciousness of fresh produce. Start your day with a delicious smoothie, a grain bowl topped with a rainbow of fruits, or savor a light and refreshing salad bursting with seasonal veggies. Don’t forget to indulge your sweet tooth with guilt-free fruit-based desserts. Plan your meals to be a celebration of health! 

Share the Love for Fresh Produce 

One of the best ways to celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month is by sharing fresh veggies and fruit with others. If you belong to an exercise or cooking group or have friends and family looking to change their diets for the better, organize a potluck dinner or a picnic where everyone brings a dish made with their favorite fruits or vegetables. Share recipes, meal ideas, and success stories to inspire others toward a vibrant and nourishing lifestyle. 

Get Your Daily Dose of Fruits & Veggies at Angelo Caputo’s  

So, let’s raise our forks to National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month! Now’s the time to fill up with colorful salads, juicy seasonal fruits, and crunchy veggies. Savor the flavors and reap the rewards to a healthier and happier you. At Angelo Caputo’s, we make it easy to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet. Shop Caputo’s online or in-store and make the most of fruits and vegetables today.   

From Our Family To Yours