Author: Rosella Presta

Why not infuse a little Italian flair into your Thanksgiving feast?

Turkey and stuffing are classic Thanksgiving staples that we look forward to every year. As an Italian family, our Thanksgiving dinners always have a little Italian flare in them. Italian cuisine offers some delicious dishes that are sure to impress. Here are 5 foods and drinks that can help you in planning an Italian-inspired Thanksgiving dinner.

Italian Sausage Stuffing

Italian sausage stuffing is a flavorful and savory dish that combines the classic flavors of Italian cuisine with the comfort of traditional stuffing. We use our very own homemade Italian sausage and combine it with rice and a special blend of seasonings for a delicious and different stuffing option!

You can order yours through our catering department

Manicotti or Ravioli

Pasta is a must in any Italian meal, even Thanksgiving! Manicotti are pasta tubes are usually filled with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, sometimes mixed with spinach or other vegetables.

The manicotti are then covered in marinara sauce and baked until bubbly and golden brown. It’s a rich, comforting, and delicious dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving!

Ravioli is another classic pasta for Thanksgiving! This stuffed pasta comes in many different filling options which make it a great option– you can do a ricotta stuffed gnocchi with sauce or embrace fall with a butternut squash ravioli!

Pasta is a typical dish you’ll find as a way to blend Italian and American culture on this holiday!

Anise

If you go to an Italian Thanksgiving you might be wondering what the white veggie might be– it’s anise, also known as fennel!

Anise is an herb in the parsley family that is known for its distinctive licorice flavor. While you can incorporate it into so many dishes, you can also eat it raw. There are tons of health benefits to anise, but you may see it on your Thanksgiving table because it is said to help with digestion and cleansing after a big meal or in between courses! 

• 

• 

Nutella Tiramisu

What meal is complete without dessert? Nutella tiramisu is a delicious twist on the classic Italian dessert, perfect for chocolate and hazelnut lovers. It features layers of ladyfingers dipped in coffee, creamy mascarpone cheese mixed with Nutella, and chopped hazelnuts on top. 

We alternate layers of nutella mascarpone and regular mascarpone, then top with a delicious Nutella ganache and chopped hazelnuts. The flavors compliment each other perfectly and are a great end to a feast! Get the recipe here: https://www.shopcaputos.com/recipes/nutella-tiramisu

A Digestivo

A digestivo is an alcoholic beverage typically consumed after a meal to aid digestion.

It’s a popular Italian tradition, often served neat or on the rocks. Digestivos are known for their unique flavors, which can range from sweet to bitter. Some include limoncello, averna, frangelico, amaro del cappo, or sambuca just to name a few! 

• 

• 

 Buon Appetito and Happy Thanksgiving!

Feeding Families & Their Traditions From Generation to Generation

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and delicious food. However, the stress of preparing a large meal can often overshadow the joy of the holiday. That’s where our homemade Thanksgiving meals come in. These convenient options offer a variety of benefits that can help you enjoy a stress-free, but still homemade and delicious Thanksgiving feast!

Our Thanksgiving feast is expertly prepared by our chefs on Thanksgiving day. This means you can pick it up fully prepared, hot, and ready to serve.

We want you to enjoy all the aspects of Thanksgiving, so we will do the cooking for you! We offer a full feast that will make your guests full and make your Thanksgiving easier! Our homemade feast feeds 10-12 people and is made the same way you would at home! We use all natural foods, no preservatives, and the special touch that only comes with homemade food. The feast includes all the fixings for a homemade dinner!

Your meal comes with a 14-16lb turkey, three sides, gravy, cranberry sauce or jelly, and a dozen dinner rolls. There are a variety of sides to choose from, but three categories– a vegetable, a potato, and stuffing! You can choose from our variety of options in each category so that your meal will serve your guests best. You can also upgrade your stuffing and try out our Italian sausage stuffing which features our homemade sausage!

No meal is complete without dessert and Thanksgiving calls for pie! You will get a fresh baked 8-inch La Bella Romana pie, your choice of apple or pumpkin!

You can order your feast easily online here or call (630) 620-4444 ext 1040 to speak with our chefs and place your order!

Don’t need a whole feast, but want us to take care of some parts of your meal for you? We offer just the turkey–our turkeys are all natural with no added preservatives. Prepared fresh by our chefs in our kitchen commissary Thanksgiving day. It is hot, delicious, and ready to serve with no mess in your kitchen and no time spent prepping! You can browse our catering menu and pick some dishes or platters that will serve you and your guests best! We are here to help you.

As a family, we know the importance of spending quality time with each other and Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to do so. The goal of this feast is for us to take some of the stress off of the host so that you can have a relaxing, hassle free holiday without having to sacrifice a homemade, quality meal.

 All items come hot, fully cooked, and ready to serve. We are in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning so that you don’t have to be.

Feeding Families and Their Traditions from Generation to Generation

Our week 5 pick is taking us to a little town just south of Rome known for it’s natural water! Marco’s favorite item imported from Italy is Fiuggi water

Marco, Angelo’s grandson, loves Fiuggi water because it is pure water bottled right at the source. It is packed with minerals and he loves the overall taste. 

Fiuggi water is a mineral water that originates from the town of Fiuggi, located in the province of Frosinone, Italy. Renowned for its unique mineral composition and purported health benefits, Fiuggi water has been enjoyed for centuries.

The history of Fiuggi water dates back to ancient Roman times. The Romans believed that the water had healing properties and constructed baths and aqueducts to harness its benefits. The town’s name, “Fucinus,” is believed to be derived from the Latin word “fucus,” meaning “seaweed,” suggesting that the water was thought to have marine properties.

Fiuggi water is rich in minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and sulfate. Its unique mineral composition is attributed to the geological formations through which the water flows. These formations filter and enrich the water with minerals that contribute to its distinctive taste and potential health benefits.

Fiuggi water has been associated with various health benefits, including:

• Digestive Health: The high mineral content of Fiuggi water can help regulate digestion and improve gut health.
• Kidney Function: Some studies suggest that Fiuggi water may help support kidney function and reduce the risk of kidney stones.
• Metabolic Health: The minerals in Fiuggi water can contribute to overall metabolic health and support weight management.
• Skin Health: The alkaline nature of Fiuggi water is believed to have a beneficial effect on skin health, helping to balance pH levels and promote hydration.
• Taste: Fiuggi water has a slightly sweet and refreshing taste, with a hint of mineral notes.

Whether you’re looking for a refreshing water or looking to explore the potential health benefits of mineral water, Fiuggi water offers a unique and enjoyable experience. Its rich history, mineral composition, and purported health benefits make it a popular choice among water enthusiasts and proud Italians! 

Feeding Families and Their Traditions from Generation to Generation

For week 4 of Italian heritage month, we head to our long aisles of olive oil! We have oil imported from all over the world, infused olive oil, domestic olive oil, and more. Among them you will find Angelo’s grandson, Robertino’s, favorite Italian item– Delallo’s Castelvetrano Olive Oil!

The secret to every good dish is a high quality olive oil. There are so many different ones out there with different tastes and compositions, but if you’re looking for a unique one, this is a must try! 

This extra virgin olive oil is made with the first cold press of olives and made exclusively with Castelvetrano olives.

The Castelvetrano olives are the key to the unique characteristics of this EVOO. These olives come from Sicily and are prized for their delicate, fruity flavor and low acidity. They have an almost buttery taste and a smooth texture. The result is a smooth, fruity olive oil.

A great feature about this oil is that it comes in a squeeze bottle with a fine tip. It makes it simple for a finishing drizzle of oil on any dish. 

Castelvetrano olive oil is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of culinary applications. It’s perfect for:

• Drizzling over salads: The oil’s delicate flavor complements the freshness of greens and vegetables.
• Marinating meats and fish: Castelvetrano olive oil can infuse meats and fish with a subtle flavor and help to tenderize them.
• Cooking vegetables: The oil’s high smoke point makes it suitable for sautéing and roasting vegetables.
• Finishing dishes: A drizzle of Castelvetrano olive oil can add a final touch of flavor to pasta, soups, and grilled meats.

Castelvetrano olive oil is a true culinary gem that offers a unique flavor profile and a host of health benefits. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or simply looking to add a touch of quality to your meals, Castelvetrano olive oil is a must-try.

Feeding Families and Their Traditions from Generation to Generation

For week 3 of Italian Heritage Month, Giancarlo, Angelo’s grandson and our deli buyer, takes us to our international deli for his favorite item!

When thinking of Italy, you can’t help but think of the flavorful delicious deli meat! It only makes sense that as our deli buyer, Giancarlo’s favorite Italian item is Prosciutto San Daniele.

Giancarlo says “I love this prosciutto because of its unique texture/flavor. The air temperature and moisture levels in the town of San Daniele del Friuli are perfect for curing prosciutto which makes it require less salt to cure, resulting in a sweeter, more mild flavor.” 

Prosciutto is a thin, cured meat that has become a culinary staple worldwide.

The tradition of producing prosciutto in San Daniele dates back centuries. The region’s mild climate, low humidity, and gentle breezes provide the ideal conditions for curing the meat. Over the years, local producers developed a refined process that involves careful selection of pigs, salt curing, and aging in special cellars.

Prosciutto San Daniele is characterized by its delicate flavor, sweet aroma, and slightly salty taste. The texture is smooth and tender, with a hint of nuttiness. It’s often described as “melting” on the tongue.

Imported prosciutto, especially from Italy, offers a depth of flavor that is hard to replicate. The curing process, often involving natural methods like aging in mountain caves, results in a very distinct and complex taste!

While prosciutto is great to just snack on, there are so many ways you can enjoy it!  

Charcuterie Board: Prosciutto is a classic addition to charcuterie boards, where it can be paired with a variety of cheeses, fruits, nuts, and crackers.

Sandwiches and Wraps: Add a slice of prosciutto to your favorite sandwich or wrap for a flavor boost.

Salads: Crumble prosciutto over a salad for a savory and salty crunch.

Pasta: Toss cooked pasta with a simple sauce made with olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, and prosciutto.

Feeding Families and Their Traditions from Generation to Generation

For week 2 of Italian heritage month, Daniela, Angelo’s granddaughter, picks a staple Italian snack that is her favorite for so many reasons! Daniela’s pick is La Bella Romana Taralli.

Taralli offer a unique blend of flavors that are both comforting and satisfying. The combination of the salty dough, the subtle sweetness of the wine, and the aromatic herbs creates a delicious and well-balanced snack. They are often enjoyed with a glass of wine, particularly a light white like a Pinot Grigio.

Our La Bella Romana brand is imported from Italy and come in many different varieties! These include rosemary and potato, black pepper, paprika, and fennel. Though they are all delicious and different, Daniela’s go to is the classic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. They are like comfort food and she loves them so much she brings them on any vacation or outing– she even brought La Bella Romana taralli with her to Italy! They remind her of our Nonna Romana because Nonna always used to have taralli to snack on in her house.  

Taralli can be enjoyed in many ways. They are a great snack on their own, but they can also be paired with other foods. Here are a few ideas:

• Appetizer: Serve taralli with a dip like hummus, pesto, or olive tapenade.
• Side dish: Enjoy taralli as a side dish to a salad or soup.
• Snack: Pack taralli in your lunchbox or purse for a quick and satisfying snacks
• As a topping: you can crumble taralli over soup or salad for a crunchy topping

Around Easter time, you will find large, sugar coated taralli that we make fresh in our bakery!

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy snack or a tasty addition to a charcuterie board, taralli are a great option to try.

Check back next week for Giancarlo’s pick!

Feeding Families & Their Traditions from Generation to Generation

October is Italian National Heritage Month. As a store started by an Italian immigrant, we are proud to celebrate our heritage with you all! 

To us, our Italian culture is a huge part of our foundation as a family and as a business. When our founder, Angelo Caputo, was just a teenager, he aspired to come to America in order to live out the American Dream and be able to provide for himself and his future family. He, like so many other immigrants, saw America as a land of opportunity. So when he had the opportunity to gain US citizenship by enlisting in the US Army, that’s what he did. He came to America at 18 ready to work… and work he did. 

He eventually opened Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets. It started as a little produce market, but as more Italians came to America, he wanted to bring pieces of home here. Eventually, the little produce stand grew to serve a variety of cultures through importing! We continue to grow and bring other country’s staples right to your Caputo’s! 

Your heritage is a big part of who you are. It shapes your values, character, traditions, and so much more. With October being Italian National Heritage Month, our family wants to call out some of our favorite Italian products, so stay tuned each week to see what different members of our family pick!

Week 1– Rosella’s pick

Homemade Hand Dipped Ricotta

Rosella’s favorite Italian product that we carry is our homemade, hand dipped ricotta. Homemade ricotta is a simple, yet incredibly delicious cheese. She loves how versatile it is and that is can really be used in any meal– from ricotta avocado toast to sandwiches to pasta sauces and lasagna to desserts! 

Ricotta is made from re-cooking the milk whey leftover from the production of other cheese. The result is a soft, creamy, and delicious cheese! The taste is like no other. It’s fresh, creamy, and versatile– it can be a great compliment to any dish or main ingredient in another! You can change the flavor profile depending on what you pair it with and use it to elevate any dish or meal! 

Check out more info on the ricotta and different ways to enjoy it here

Stay tuned next week for Daniela’s favorite item!

Feeding Families & Their Traditions from Generation to Generation

Have you heard the great news? Our Hanover Park Store is open! After a complete remodel of the interior of the store, we are so proud of our changes and thrilled to be back serving the Hanover Park community!

This remodel includes expanded departments, brand new equipment, new decor, a new layout, and more. We still have everything we are known for, but in a new setting! Some new departments include our coffee bar and gelato, fresh sushi made in house daily, hot foods line, extensive prepared foods department, a bigger bakery and deli, and more.

Join us this Saturday 9/28 from 11am-3pm for our grand opening celebration!

We will have tons of free activities for kids. There will be pumpkin painting, cupcake decorating, and face painting. From 11am-2pm there will be pony rides and a petting zoo! There will be a DJ playing great music, tons of in-store demos, and raffles! 

You will get a raffle ticket with any purchase from 11am-3pm on 9/28. You can take your shot at winning things like a grill, yeti cooler, Cheez-It basketball chair, Caputo’s BBQ set, and Caputo’s gift card. We also will have a guessing game where you can guess how many candy corns are in a jar and win a Caputo’s gift card!

We want to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone for their support and patience during our remodel. We are so grateful for our loyal customers and we look forward to serving you for many years to come.

We hope to see you this Saturday for our Grand opening festivities and for you to come check out some of the changes we’ve made!

From Our Family To Yours

Every year on September 13th, chocolate lovers around the world come together to celebrate International Chocolate Day. This delectable occasion is a time to savor the rich, creamy, and indulgent flavors of chocolate in all its forms. From dark and bittersweet to milk and white, there’s chocolate out there to satisfy every craving.

When thinking of chocolate, the natural first stop is to head straight to our bakery where we have tons of options for the chocolate lover. Our La Bella Romana bakery items are all made from scratch in our central bakery daily. Many recipes are our matriarch, Romana Caputo’s, recipes– just adapted to be made in larger batches so we can feed all families. She had a passion for cooking and baking and so it was only fitting that our bakery was named in her honor, the La Bella Romana bakery.

Pastries, cookies, cakes, and more… There’s a dessert for everyone who loves chocolate! Here are 5 chocolatey must tries in our La Bella Romana bakery

Chocolate Spice Cookies

These classic Italian cookies are adapted from our matriarch’s recipe and a perfect little treat! The deep, yet subtle chocolate flavor is combined with warm spices and orange zest for a warm, delicious, and soft cookie!

Chocolate Dipped Cannoli Shells

Did you know we make our own cannoli shells from scratch? If you’re a chocolate lover, we then take our homemade shells and dip them in chocolate so you are getting a completely chocolate covered shell! Filled with our homemade cannoli filling and then dipped with chocolate chips… it’s the perfect amount of chocolate! 

• 

• 

Brownies

Double the chocolate goodness! Our brownies are a moist, fudgy brownie covered in fudge for extra chocolate goodness. This decadent treat that satisfies any sweet tooth with its moist texture and intense chocolate flavor, it’s a classic dessert enjoyed by people of all ages! Try it with a scoop of ice cream!

Chocolate Parfait

A great dessert for one or for 2 (if you feel like sharing and we completely understand if you don’t! Our chocolate parfait comes in an individual container. It is a layer of cake and chocolate french cream topped with whipped cream and chocolates.

Nutella Roll

Sometimes all you need is a little bit of nutella, so how about a dessert centered around it? A mix of cake and chocolate nutella all rolled up into one dessert!

What’s your favorite chocolate item?

From Our Family To Yours

If you’re looking for an easy protein for dinner, chicken is always good! Chicken is a staple in diets worldwide for good reason. It’s a lean, low-fat source of protein that offers numerous health benefits. 

Chickens are packed with protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, making them a healthy choice for people of all ages. So if you have a picky eater or you’re looking to get some extra protein into your kids’ diets, chicken is a great option because you can prepare it in so many different ways.

From roasted to fried, grilled to poached, chickens can be prepared in countless ways to suit any taste. Different spices, marinades, dips… There are so many ways to enjoy chicken. 

At Caputo’s, we have tons of different chicken options that the whole family will enjoy. Here are 4 different options we offer that are simple and delicious!

Rotisserie Chicken

Already hot, this is great for a weeknight dinner! Rotisserie chicken is a chicken cooked on a rotisserie, using direct heat to cook because the chicken is placed next to the heat source. The chickens are put onto rods that rotate to ensure optimal juiciness and cooking. 

You can feel good about feeding it to your family. Our chickens are always fresh and never frozen. There are no added hormones or steroids and they are MSG free. In addition to these benefits, the taste is incredible!

Our chicken is known for its outstanding flavor and juiciness. We season it with a special herb rub. The special seasoning is made with a variety of different herbs and spices to give the chicken a unique and delicious flavor. It is our homemade blend that we took the time to test and develop until we got it to the special blend we were proud to feed you and your families!

Chicken Kabobs

Kabobs are a great way to incorporate many vegetables into your dinner without dirtying a lot of dishes. The grill adds great flavors to the protein as well as the vegetables. We offer kabobs together in our meat department. They come in chicken or beef and have peppers, onions, and tomatoes on them. You can get it plain and add your own flavors. You can also ask for them marinated and we will add our own marinade to the kabobs. All you have to do is put them on the grill and enjoy! These kabobs are also great in an air fryer!

Pre-Marinated chicken breast

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 chicken, Greek chicken drumsticks, chicken fajitas, and more! They are great on their own and in sandwiches. 

Try this recipe for a Mediterranean chicken night!

Chicken Selections in Prepared Foods

Need to get dinner together quickly? Head straight to our hot foods! We have tons of different chicken dishes ready to go. Our prepared foods selections are all made in-house in our kitchen commissary daily. We use all natural, high quality ingredients with no additives or preservatives. You can feel good about what you’re feeding your family when you shop our prepared foods section! We have individual options as well as pans so you can feed the whole family. We have simply grilled, vesuvio, lemon, fried, marsala, breaded, and more! We also offer our sauces so you can marinade them yourself if you prefer!

• 

• 

From Our Family To Yours