Super Cherries

The long days of summer are already enjoyable, but they’re even more enjoyable with good food! A go-to of ours is cherries. Cherries are a great snack and something we look forward to once summer comes around. 

What’s even better is that Super Cherries are now available! Super Cherries come from family business Super Fresh Growers in Washington! These cherries are grown in the Yakima and Wenatchee regions of the Pacific Northwest and The Dalles region of Northern Oregon.  

Cherry growing regions

Cherries generally have two main flavors- sweet or tart. Let’s look a little closer at some of the Super Cherries available now

Dark Sweet Cherries

Dark Sweet Cherries are available from May through August, but the peak months are June and July. These cherries are large and have a deep red color. They are firm and sweet!

Dark Sweet Cherries are commonly confused with Bing Cherries. This dark red variety was developed to mature at different times and places and they are available for longer!

Rainier Cherries

Rainier cherries are the light colored cherries known for their glossy, golden color. These cherries are a cross between the Bing and the Van cherry. They were first developed in 1952 at Washington State University and  named after Mt. Rainier. Originally these cherries were made to help pollinate other cherries, but growers soon came to love the taste and the look.  

Rainier Cherries are known for their unique color and for their incredibly sweet taste

In addition to tasting delightful, they are high in nutrition. Cherries are a good source of fiber and high in antioxidants. They also contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are what naturally bring color to fruits and veggies. The flavonoid benefits are that they seek and destroy free radicals in the body. 

We hope you are enjoying the cherry season as much as we are!

Here’s a tip on how to enjoy cherries:

Cherries should remain unwashed until you are ready to enjoy them. Cherry skin absorbs water and will soften the texture of the fruit early. They should be stored in a plastic container sealed tightly, in the coldest part of your refrigerator. When you are ready to snack, wash them and allow them to sit in room temperature momentarily in order to release their full flavor.

From Our Family To Yours

Top Summer Fruits

The long summer days have hit us. While it’s great to be able to enjoy the daylight for a longer time, it means that the temperature is HOT! Between the humidity and the heat, we are constantly looking for ways to renew, reenergize, and refresh while enjoying all the outdoor activities that come with summer. 

What you put into your body greatly affects your energy level. It is a good idea to nourish your body, especially in the extreme heat. Luckily, the summer season has some of the best fruit!

Here are some of our top favorite summer fruits

Watermelon

Cold watermelon on a hot summer day is such a treat. The great thing about watermelon is that it can actually help hydrate you too! Watermelon is about 90% water on top of all the other vitamins and nutrients watermelon contains.By eating watermelon, you’re getting some of the key nutrients you need while soaking up the sun!

Cherries

With a summer growing season, cherries are something we look forward to every year! Cherries are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Whether you prefer the sweeter cherries or the tarter cherries, they are both good and good for you. 

Peaches

Peaches are a very diverse fruit. You can eat them on their own, make a dessert out of them, put them in a salad, or even enjoy them in a glass of wine!  Peaches are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients. They are known to help with digestion, boost immunity, protect your skin, and more!

Another way to beat the heat and still get the nutrients from fruit is to make a smoothie! You can freeze the fruit or mix some ice with fresh fruit. Throw in some of our freshly squeezed orange juice and you have a delicious drink that will help make the heat a little more bearable! 

From Our Family To Yours

4th of July Desserts

Every good celebration needs good dessert! Whether you’re having a little get together or just celebrating the 4th on your own, the red, white, and blue theme will be prominent this weekend.

If you need something sweet and on theme to bring to your celebration, we can help! We have tons of delicious desserts for the individual or for a few people that are perfect for your Independence Day festivities.

Fireworks Cake

This triple layer cake is 3 tiers of vanilla cake with red, white, and blue frosting in between. The top is decorated with fireworks as an ode to the Fourth of July tradition!

American Flag Cake

This yellow cake is decorated with white icing and star sprinkles surround the sides. The top is decorated with an American flag made out of icing.

Cookies

Cookies are a great option for dessert. You can get a lot to make a tray or keep a few for yourself. Our bakery has a variety of patriotic themed cookies. Star cookies, butter cookies with sprinkles, and more! Here are a few that are great for the holiday!

Maybe you’re in the mood to make your own dessert. Apple pie is a classic American dessert. Many people love to enjoy a slice of pie with some ice cream. We have a recipe that is a must try this 4th of July, Salted Caramel Apple Pie in a mason jar lid!

We hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!

From Our Family To Yours

Caprese Chicken

As we head into some of the warmest days of summer, your meal selections may reflect the hotter temperatures. If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, but still full of flavor, we have just the thing for you! Caprese chicken!

This dish is a wonderfully light, flavorful chicken dish that’s great for backyard cookouts. It is truly the ultimate go-to: easy to make and beautiful enough for company. The beautiful colors and the delicious taste make it a great summer dish.

Here is what you need: 

  • fresh mozzarella
  • salt
  • balsamic vinegar
  • olive oil
  • basil leaves
  • garlic
  • pint cherry or grape tomatoes
  • boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • pepper

Get the full recipe here!

From Our Family To Yours

Happy Father’s Day!

This Sunday is not just any Sunday, it’s Father’s Day! The day 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. 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 appreciated him because of his strength, especially his ability to throw and catch watermelon when unloading a truck. His efficiency in unloading the trucks as a teenager is a testament to his work ethic. He never hesitates to step in during any task. My father embraces all challenges, coming up with unique and efficient ways to get past them. 

He has helped us and the business grow. He has taught us the importance of hard work and dedication, always leading by example. His lessons span from how to properly display produce to how to clean tables the right way. 

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 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. 

My grandfather and our patriarch, Angelo Caputo, has always been one of my biggest inspirations. He overcame so much and always persevered. When he was just 18 years old, he left his home in Italy and enlisted in the US Army so that he could create a better life for himself and his family. He took risks I could never imagine and I am always in awe of his strength. 

He has been faced with so many challenges in his life, but never let that stop him. He never shies away from hard work and faces adversity head on. His passion for work is still apparent from him asking about work to visiting each store to see how things are running. Hard work is in his blood.

He has always taken the time to teach us and work with us. He has passed along important tools and wisdom– things that we can carry with us. From teaching us how to eat a prickly pear or telling us stories from his childhood, he is always there for us. Nothing makes him happier than watching and being a part of the successes of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

I am very lucky to have two strong men who believe in me. 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

Olive Salads

Sometimes when you’re planning a party or get together, you can skim over sides or antipasti because the main course requires the most attention. It is easy to leave these additions for last minute and you may find yourself scrambling to find something to put on to munch on. 

Don’t worry because we got you covered! Our deli has the solution for you– olive salads!

We have a variety of prepared olive salads that are delicious and easy to serve. Whether you want a snack to keep in your fridge for yourself or you want something to serve a crowd, these olive salads are perfect. All the work is done for you. If you love olives, you’ll love these salads.

Here are 3 of our favorite pre-marinated olive salads that go great with any meal:

Sicilian Olive Salad

This is Sicilian olives, red onions, and a special blend of spices and peppers!

Artichoke and Olive Salad

This salad is sliced artichokes and green Sicilian pitted olives in a blend of oil and spices

Greek Olive Salad

This Greek olive salad contains 3 different types of Calamata olives and bite size pieces of feta cheese, all tossed in a special marinade. 

We have even more olive salads available in store for you to choose from! What’s your favorite?

From Our Family To Yours

Barbecue Leftovers

A holiday weekend usually means leftovers! Your fridge may be loaded with extra food that didn’t get eaten at the other day’s barbecue. If you have some leftover sausage, we have an idea for you!

There are tons of things you can do with leftover sausage for every meal! Incorporate it into a breakfast skillet, make a sausage sandwich, or roast it in the over with some potatoes, olive oil, and rosemary. 

Here is one of our favorite recipes to use with sausage that can be customized in so many ways… pasta!

Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli

This is one of our favorite dishes to use up leftover sausage. 

Here’s what you need:

-Italian sausage

-Orecchiette pasta

-Olive oil

-Broccoli

-Marinara sauce

-Salt

-Black pepper

-Parmesan cheese

-Basil for garnish

We love this recipe because it’s easy to change up. You can change the type of pasta, the sauce, or even the vegetable! It is easy to make and you’ll love the results!

For the full recipe, click here!

To get some more ideas for other leftovers that you have, browse The Recipe Rack for tons of options to practice and show off your cooking skills! 

From Our Family To Yours

Memorial Day Grilling

Memorial Day Weekend is usually considered the start of summer. When we think of summer we think of being outdoors and grilling! Some of the best summer memories come from enjoying the sunny weather and eating some food straight from the barbecue. We have all the grilling essentials you need for a great barbecue this summer!

Every barbecue needs some sides or appetizers and we go straight to the deli for this! Our fresh deli salads are a great addition to any barbecue. Potato salad, macaroni salad, antipasto salads, and more! These are great options to put out and snack on before or even during your meal!

There are so many things that taste better when they are out on the grill. One of those things is 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. 

Then for the main course! 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! Some of our favorites to throw on the grill are steak, burgers, chicken, and more. Here are a few additional items we love at a barbecue! 

One is our kabobs. Our chicken and steak kabobs come on skewers with peppers and onions. We also offer some pre-marinated kabobs for a different flavor. You can even throw different veggies on and make veggie kabobs! 

Shrimp! An exciting and different item to grill is shrimp! It is a fun way to mix up some of the entrees being served!  

Can’t forget the sausage– 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.

We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day Weekend. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are currently serving or have served our country, as well as their families. We especially remember the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect us.

From Our Family To Yours

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

There has been a lot of time spent in the kitchen these past few months. People are discovering new talents and passions for cooking and baking. Maybe you’ve made a banana bread or two?

Take a break from the banana bread and switch it up! Zucchini is another great vegetable you can bake with. Because zucchini has a high water content, it creates a lot of moisture in your baked goods. It also adds a bit of nutrition too! Pair it with chocolate for a delicious taste! 

One of our favorite recipes is Chocolate Zucchini Muffins!

With only about 10 minute prep time and only 11 ingredients, you get these delicious treats!

Here’s what you need:

-foil baking cups

-flour

-unsweetened cocoa powder

-baking soda

-banana

-eggs

-shredded zucchini

-unsweetened almond milk

-honey

-coconut oil

-dark chocolate chips

Get the full recipe and shop for all your ingredients here!

From Our Family To Yours

Happy Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. It is the day to honor your mom and all those who you have maternal bonds with.

I am incredibly grateful to have many strong, beautiful women to celebrate, two of which hold a very special place in my heart, Romana Caputo and Antonella Caputo Presta.

My grandmother and our matriarch, Romana Caputo, was one of the best women there was. Although gone too soon, her memory remains. I love to hear the stories people have of encounters with my grandmother. Friends and family remember her as one of the kindest and most generous souls you have ever met. She had the unique ability to make anyone feel like a welcomed part of the family, mostly through her cooking. Anyone who has had a meal by my Nonna Romana knows that nothing can compare. Her self-taught skills in the kitchen remain a huge part of the legacy she left behind. Her beauty inspired the creation of our private label, La Bella Romana. She was and still is a driving force behind our family and our business. 

Another integral part of the foundation of our family and business is my mother, Antonella Caputo Presta. Her selflessness, humbleness, and hard work are inspiring. She started working at a very young age and she often shares memories, like driving to Michigan at 3 in the morning with my grandfather to get produce or what those freezing winter days working at our original location on Harlem and Wrightwood were like. She takes every opportunity to thank my grandparents for their sacrifices and dedication, but will never look for credit or draw attention to all she did for us as a business and a family. We would not be where we are today if it weren’t for her. My mom will go above and beyond to make sure everyone feels special and appreciated. She has taken the time to teach us vital skills and life lessons. One of the most important lessons she has taught is the value of family. I am lucky enough to say that my siblings are also my best friends and we owe that to our mother. 

I am so blessed to have my grandmother and mother as role models in my life. They are everything I hope to be one day. 

Happy Mother’s Day, Nonna and Mommy, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful mothers and motherly figures ❤️

From Our Family To Yours