Fall is in the air and can you believe Halloween is already next week?! As we continue to enjoy the best of fall activities– hayrides, haunted houses, seasonal drinks– we can’t forget an October must… pumpkin carving!
An annual tradition amongst our family revolved around pumpkin carving. However, it was not your typical pumpkin carving. Our family always had a unique way of carving pumpkins. We wouldn’t carve pictures into the pumpkin or make it a Jack O’Lantern, we had a different way of doing it which involved goodies from all around the store!
Every year, there was one day in October that my grandpa would anxiously await for us to get home from school. He would take us to Caputo’s and let us pick a pumpkin. There were so many to choose from and Nonno Angelo would help us pick the perfect one, then load it into the cart. After we picked out our pumpkins, we would go around and find different foods and props for our pumpkins to make faces! We would get things like chestnuts or olives for the eyes, a gourd or a pepper for the nose, smaller pumpkins or corn husks for the ears, hay for the hair, and no pumpkin was complete without a carrot as a pipe! We could come up with any crazy idea and Nonno Angelo would do it for us.
When we got home from picking up our pumpkins and all the fixings, my parents and Nonna Romana were waiting for us with the kitchen ready! The first thing we would do is cut open the top and clean the insides of the pumpkins. We would separate all the seeds and give them to Nonna Romana so that she could roast the pumpkin seeds. We would let them soak in some water so that all the pulp would come off. Then Nonna would salt them, put some olive oil, and put them in the oven! While she was doing this, we would direct the carving! The adults would cut the holes and we would put the food where we wanted. After that, we would draw or paint all the finishing touches on our pumpkins!
We have a fun Halloween tradition, what are yours? Stop by Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, pick out your perfect pumpkin and start your creation!
For the third week of Italian Heritage month, we want to highlight another big piece of our company heritage and our Italian heritage– our private label, La Bella Romana.
Our private label was established in 1984 by Angelo. The name is a tribute to the matriarch of our family, Romana Caputo. “La Bella Romana” translates to “the beautiful Romana.” The logo features a picture of Romana feeding pigeons in Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy during Angelo and Romana’s honeymoon.
The brand started with California grown tomatoes. We canned the tomatoes and it was the start of the brand. When Angelo was ready to add more products to the line, he knew that his expansion should be Italian staples. Angelo and Romana went to Italy and sourced suppliers who could offer the highest quality products and ingredients. The result of this trip was the addition of pasta and olive oil to La Bella Romana! Pasta and olive oil are traditional components of every Italian meal. These items can be used or prepared in a variety of different ways to satisfy anybody’s hunger. These foundational items of the La Bella Romana line embody simplicity, diversity, and deliciousness.
Since those beginning items, the La Bella Romana brand has grown exponentially. The private label now includes bakery items, deli meats, catering and prepared foods, grocery products, and more. There are about 400 items that all have the La Bella Romana name on them.
We have a variety of canned tomatoes– sauce, puree, paste. We know that sauce is a staple in any Italian household. Canned tomatoes are the perfect start to sauce on a Sunday, pizza night, and more. We also import many of our items from Italy in order to bring some traditional items and staples here.
We have spent time sourcing the highest quality ingredients for our products. The rich flavor and delightful smell will make your own kitchen feel like Italy.
All of our private label items are made using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The core of our products today is the same as 1984 when it started– bringing the freshest and healthiest foods to you and your family.
As Italian Heritage Month continues, we take a look at a huge part of our business and our heritage– food!
When Angelo, our founder, started, the store was just a fruit market– selling fresh produce in a tiny little store. Angelo, like so many others, immigrated to America and while the promise of a new life was there, it meant leaving behind pieces of home. Angelo recognized the need to bring pieces of Italy here and began importing specialty items. Soon, our product line and business was able to grow and now even include homemade items!
So in addition to our plethora of imports– taralli, pasta, oil, cookies, drinks, tomatoes (just to name a few,) we also have a lot of products we make in house that are hand crafted to bring out memories and appreciation of Italy!
Here are 3 Must Try Caputo’s products if you’re looking for a taste of Italy
Italian Cookies
One stop should definitely be to our La Bella Romana Bakery. La Bella Romana is the name of our private label which translates to “The Beautiful Romana.” It was named by Angelo for our matriarch and his wife, Romana Caputo. She was known for her incredible skills in the kitchen and this included baking! Many of our Italian cookie recipes were adapted from her own recipes. The amaretti cookies, lemon cookies, fig cookies, and chocolate spice cookies are a must! They may even remind you of your nonna’s very own traditional cookies. One of our family’s favorites are the horseshoe amaretti cookies
In fact, many of our products in our bakery are made in house daily by our talented bakery team! We make our own cannoli shells and filling, eclairs, cream puffs, breads, and so much more. Take a closer look into our bakery here
Homemade Bocconcini
Cheese is a significant part of Italian culture and our homemade bocconcini lives up to it. Boconcini is hand stretched, hand tied mozzarella. Made using fresh mozzarella which is watched over slowly, then stretched and tied carefully to ensure easy, not chewy or stringy, bites of delicious! It is great on its own, in a panino, in pasta, and more!
Homemade Sausage
We make our own sausage in house daily. It was a long process to perfectly craft our homemade sausage– making and tweaking our recipes until we reached recipes we are extremely proud of! We use local and fresh ingredients as well as a custom blend of spices. Everything is sourced carefully and created strategically! Some of our varietals include classic italian, hot, barese, sicilian, provolone and giardiniera, and more. It makes for a great dinner or even in a sandwich!
These are just a few of the offerings we have that keep Italian tradition alive. Just like Angelo did, our goal is to help the Italian culture remain steadfast through the generations.
October is Italian National Heritage Month. This month is used to honor the achievements of Italian immigrants in the United States. As a company founded by an Italian immigrant, we are proud to celebrate this month!
Throughout the month, our family will be highlighting some parts of our Italian culture that our extended family of customers can see throughout our stores. From products we carry, to photos hanging in our stores, to little details you may not know– we’ll be taking you through bits of our history throughout the month!
What better place to start than with our newest location whose design was heavily influenced by our past! If you have seen our Norridge store, you may have noticed the unique design. It resembles our recently remodeled Bloomingdale location with its rounded, modern look. Did you know that this look was not just for its unique design, but designed with an ode to our founders and their beginning? These locations were carefully designed after many meetings with an architect who listened to our family’s story and wanted to incorporate.
The architect of these locations, Peter Theodore, explains the reason for the design of our Norridge store
“From the rolling hills of Italy to the waves kissing the shores of Mola di Bari, inspiration for this unique store design took shape.
Mindful of Angelo and Romana Caputo’s vision of treating their customers like family, the architect builds upon that simple principle. This unique store embraces the founders’ vibrancy and energy with forms creating the shell of the structure that seems to defy gravity… stretching upwards to the sky, forcing us to stop and wonder- how is this even possible?
Just as the waves move across the sea, the flowing forms mimic a similar fluidity. The building pays respect to Angelo and Romana by honoring their vision of creating a great experience before, during, and after your journey into the markets. Buoyed by a love of family and a unique customer experience, nuanced into the design, the canopies stretch towards the heavens welcoming Angelo and Romana back, spiritually, to share in the delight of how their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren have kept the tradition alive.
Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets builds upon a legacy started over six decades ago. This building has created a link between the past and the future, and stands as an example that anything is possible if you believe in your dreams.”
So as we enter Italian heritage month, we always keep in mind where and how we started– by a hard working Italian immigrant who started because he wanted to give his future family a better life. We always keep with us the principles instilled in us by Angelo as we grow and continue his legacy.
Stay tuned throughout the month for more Caputo’s Italian-American history!
September is underway which means a lot of things– sweater weather, fall drinks, fall foods, and football! The season has officially begun which means for many Thursday nights, Sundays, Monday nights, and Saturdays for the college fans are dedicated to watching football. All in all, that’s a lot of time spent watching TV. We know how exhausting being a fan can be, so it’s important to stay fed and we have all your football watching foods!
From snacks during the game to meals to eat during halftime to foods to have during the high stress times… we have it all! Here are 4 Football Watching Musts
Wings
A classic football food… wings! What’s more satisfying than a juicy chicken wing smothered in your favorite sauce? A good source of protein to keep your energy up for the games and full of flavor, chicken wings are great to have for game time! You can stop by our meat department and pick up some plain ones then top with your favorite sauce or pick up some of our pre-marinated ones. It’s great because the options are endless. You can have tons of different sauces and dips which will completely change the flavor. Some sauces to choose from would be the classic honey bbq or buffalo, but there are some different ones like lemon pepper, asian zing, nashville hot, hot honey, chipotle, and so many more options! You can grill them or even back them.
Don’t feel like making a mess, just stop by our prepared foods section and pick them up! We have bone in and boneless wings available. Already prepared so just heat and eat!
Pro-tip: try them in your air fryer!
Pizza
Our take and bake pizzas are easy to make and delicious! Plain cheese, sausage, supreme, there is something for everyone. It’s good for adults and children alike which makes it perfect. We have round pizzas or Sicilian style pizza available already made for you in house. If you want to make your own, we offer homemade dough and pizza crust too so you can turn your football parties into homemade pizza nights too!
Pro-Tip: Pick up our take and bake sausage pizza, our homemade ricotta, and our giardiniera relish. Top the sausage pizza with these two extras for a delicious and flavorful pizza!
Nacho Bar
Who doesn’t love nachos? Nachos will always keep you coming back for more and before you know it, you have a clean plate! When you make them at home, you can customize them to add whatever you want! Our homemade tortilla chips make for the perfect chip! They are made from our homemade tortillas (made fresh in our Addison store daily). We cut the tortillas and fry them in-house!
Here are some toppings we suggest for your nachos
Homemade chili in prepared foods
BBQ Pulled Pork in prepared foods
Pulled chicken from our rotisserie chicken
Shredded cheese
Black olives
Sliced jalapenos
Black beans
Queso
Corn
Pico de gallo
Shredded lettuce
Pro-Tip: make a Nacho board so people can create their own nachos!
Focaccia
Focaccia is a great snack because there are so many uses. Our focaccia is homemade in our bakery. We have a classic tomato focaccia available in a large round, a square, or small rounds. We also have a new artichoke and olive focaccia! We make it the same way you would at home and we use real, high quality ingredients. You can eat the focaccia as is, toast it, or slice it in half and make a sandwich! Go behind the scenes of our olive and artichoke focaccia being made here
Pro-Tip: Use our mini round focaccia as a burger bun
As the end of summer rears its head and Labor Day is upon us, it’s the perfect time to fire up the grill and make your favorite summer recipes, from hotdog cookouts to BBQ classic favorites. Take in the last hazy, warm, idyllic dog days of summer with these must-try Labor Day recipes.
Hot Dog Cookout
Celebrate the warm weather with a hot dog cookout! Create memories with the whole family, as you gill some of the best hotdogs anyone’s ever had. We’ve added one of our favorite hot dog recipes for you to try.
Recipe: Chili Dogs
A timeless family favorite, these chili dogs will be a family favorite and will probably be requested to be added to the next cookout menu.
Ingredients (all of which can be found at your local Caputos):
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup ketchup
8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns, split
Add-ons of your choice: Shredded cheddar cheese and chopped onion
Directions:
Make your chili on a skillet on the stove. Cook your beef thoroughly and drain. Chop beef until it’s small, fine pieces. Then add beef back into the pan and mix in the seasonings and ketchup. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook the hotdogs and serve your chili dogs on some of your favorite Caputio’s hotdog buns.
Canning Week
Preserve the summer produce you’ve grown, picked, or bought by canning your favorites. Make canned jams, salsas, preserves, pickled veggies, and more! We recommend trying to canning some of the beloved go-tos like canning tomatoes, canning green beans, canning peaches, canning supplies, and salsa canning.
Other Labor Day Cookout Favorite Dishes
Are you looking for more of your favorite Labor Day cookout menu ideas? Try some popular, easy Labor Day dishes for your next outdoor summer celebration. Beyond the tried-and-true hotdog and burgers, try some other classic BBQ favorites like BBQ chicken, short ribs, or wings. Pair your main dish with popular dishes, sides, and desserts to complete your Labor Day picnic. Some recommended dishes include potato side, green beans, watermelon, corn, and more. Shop Caputo’s for all your Labor Day cookout menu ingredients, and take advantage of Caputo’s Labor Day deals now.
Back To School Check-List for the Adults
Snacks On Snacks
As the kids prepare to return to school, get ahead of schedule with some early preparations. You can’t go wrong with school snacks like easy grab-and-go pre-packed single-serving items like chips and fruit snacks. Find healthy school snack options, like the kid’s favorite vegetables and fruits, with yummy dips like yogurt, chocolate, peanut butter, and more.
Don’t Forget the Coffee
But most importantly, don’t forget the coffee! While shopping for the kids, stock up on what you need, especially your favorite cold brew and coffee creamer. Avoid crashing and drink caffeine early in the day to prepare for school drop-off. Keep within the recommended 400 milligrams (about 4 cups of brewed coffee) of caffeine daily to avoid jitters and crashes. Shop Caputo’s specialty coffee beans here.
Shop Caputo’s back-to-school specials, including snacks, coffee, and more, so you are ready to make lunches for the upcoming weeks quickly and easily. Or save time by having your groceries delivered or picked up to focus on other back-to-school to-do necessities.
Are you wondering what the orange drinks that have been taking over your Instagram and Facebook feeds? One of Italy’s most popular drinks has been taking the world by storm and rightfully so. The Aperol Spritz is the drink of the summer because of it’s refreshing and fruity flavor.
Aperol is an aperitivo or aperitif, an alcoholic drink taken before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Aperol was created in Padua in the 1910s by the Barbieri Brothers after inheriting the company from their father. Aperol is still the same recipe from 1919, but the aperol spritz did not gain popularity until the 1950s. Since then, the drink has grown in popularity. A great thing about this drink is the simple ingredients and how easy it is to make it!
Heres how to make it:
1. Fill a glass with ice
2. Add the Aperol and Prosecco
*the amount of Aperol and Prosecco you adds depends on your personal preference. If you prefer sweet drinks to bitter drinks, add more Prosecco than Aperol. Aperol is a bitter*
3. Add a dash of soda water
4. Garnish with an orange slice
You can never go wrong with a classic Aperol Spritz, but there are a few variations that are fun to try! Here are 4 other ways for to enjoy Aperol
Aperol Mimosa
replace the soda water in the classic spritz with some orange juice! The sweet OJ pairs great with the orange bitter and makes for a great mimosa option
Aperol Margarita
Add a splash of Aperol into your favorite margarita recipe!
With Rose’
replace the Prosecco with your favorite Rose’ for a still refreshing, but slightly sweeter spritz
Add St. Germain
Not crazy about how bitter the spritz is? Add some St. Germain! This elderflower liqueur is incredibly sweet and contrasts the bitter Aperol to make this cocktail take a sweeter flavor
You can add other juices, mixers, fruit… the options are endless! Have fun experimenting with this versatile cocktail!
One of the best parts of summer is all the seasonal produce that comes with it! There are the classic peaches, plums, prickly pears, etc. Another summer classic, especially if you’re from Chicago, is the Melrose Pepper!
A melrose pepper is a type of sweet pepper. It is said that the Melrose Pepper came to be when an Italian immigrant coming to Chicago brought with him some seeds from his hometown to start his garden in his new life. One type of seeds he brought with him would turn into the melrose pepper– a sweet pepper! The Melrose Pepper has come to be a beloved summer staple.
It’s simplicity, delicious flavor, and ease to combine with any dish makes it a must try. Want to make a dish with melrose Peppers and not sure what to do? Here are 3 ways to enjoy melrose peppers
Pan Fry
The classic was to enjoy melrose peppers is to simply pan fry them. It’s a simple way to enjoy this delicious bite. You start by putting the peppers in a pan with olive oil and topping them with salt and pepper. Let that cook while you have some garlic and halved cherry tomatoes cooking in another pan. Once the pepper has a nice char, combine all the items in one pan and let the flavors merge together. Pair it with your favorite bread and enjoy a delicious sandwich!
With Barese Sausage
Just like the pan frying, you’re going to start by cooking the melrose peppers and the tomatoes and garlic. Meanwhile, on a grill or stove, cook some Barese sausage. Combine all the ingredients and you have a simple and satisfying dish. There are few things that make a better combo than Melrose Peppers and Caputo’s Homemade Barese Sausage
Stuffed Peppers
For our stuffed Melrose Peppers, we like to slice the pepper in half long ways and remove all the seeds. We lay them down flat in a pan with the cut middle facing up (almost like stuffed pepper boats). For our stuffing, we combined Caputo’s bulk sausage, chopped onions, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and a dash of salt and pepper. Mix all these items together, fill the pepper with the mixture, and put them in the oven!
These suggestions all call for simple ingredients that provide satisfying dishes with this Chicago pepper! How do you enjoy your melrose peppers?
Summer is a season for outdoor fun, vacation time, and lazy, sun-soaked afternoons. It’s also a time when we want light, refreshing meals that don’t need a lot of prep work and no hot oven.
Let’s look at a favorite summertime ingredient: pork. Plus, we’ll look at desserts that aren’t too sloppy but just as fun, answer why light meals are best for summer, get a few simple recipes, and tips for meal prep. Let’s dig in!
Why Choose Light Meals in Summer?
When the temperature climbs, our bodies naturally want to keep cool. You may find that you crave light, easy-to-digest meals over heavy, calorie-laden ones in summertime. Eating meals such as salads, grilled vegetables, and lean proteins satisfies our appetite and helps maintain our energy levels. Is there anything worse than eating a big heavy lunch and then having to go back to work? Many summer dishes, such as fruit and vegetable salads, can have a lot of water content in them. These meals can support hydration, which is always important during the hot days of summer.
Sizzling Summer Meats: Pork
Hot dogs and cold fried chicken are summer staples. Elevate your dinner game with grilled pork chops, skewers, and pulled pork sandwiches this year. Put these ideas on your shopping list for a tasty summer meal. Bonus: They make great leftovers.
Grilled Pork Chops
Grilling is a quintessential part of summer cooking, and pork chops are an excellent choice. Marinate them with herbs, spices, and some citrus for a refreshing flavor. Pair these chops with a summer salad or grilled vegetables for a light meal.
Pork Skewers
Skewers are perfect for summer, easy to make, and fun to eat. You can thread pieces of pork loin with an assortment of summer vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini. A quality marinade will enhance the flavor even more and keep the meat juicy.
Pulled Pork Salad
Pulled pork can be a great addition to a hearty summer salad. Use lean pork shoulder simmered until it’s tender enough to pull apart, then pair it with a slaw or mixed greens, corn, and black beans, and top it with a light vinaigrette. Use left over pulled pork for sandwiches.
Stir-Fried Pork
For a fast summer dinner, stir-fry some lean pork cuts with a colorful group of vegetables, including crisp onions, baby corn, snap peas, and red bell pepper. You can use a light sauce of soy, ginger, garlic, and a dash of lime for a bright summery tang.
To keep this light, balance the portion of pork with a generous amount of vegetables and fresh, light sides. Try experimenting with pork throughout the summer and enjoy the results! You can also never go wrong with any of our homemade sausages on the grill!
Summer Fruit & Vegetable Sides
Summer provides an abundance of fresh produce and the opportunity to experiment with new side recipes and they’re also great to eat right out of the fridge (of course washed first).
Watermelon
Berries
Peaches
Cherries
For vegetables, stick to ones that taste equally delicious raw and make for great snacking, don’t forget that summertime favorite, ranch dressing, for dipping. These fruits and veggies are not only delicious but also help you stay hydrated.
Tomatoes
Bell peppers
Carrots
Celery
Delightful Desserts
Desserts are a delicious part of summer dining, but this doesn’t mean they have to be overly indulgent or require an oven to make them. Homemade popsicles with natural fruit juice can be an excellent way to satisfy your sweet tooth without straying from the theme of light and refreshing. You’ll find, when making your own popsicle treats, that there is an endless supply of ideas.
Another light dessert is angel food cake! Pick up one of our homemade angel food cakes and top it with some whipped cream and fresh berries for a delicious dessert!
A dessert that combines espresso and ice cream? Yes please! An affogato is a great summertime dessert is a simple and delightful Italian dessert. It features a scoop of gelato or ice cream, typically vanilla, boldly crowned with a shot of hot espresso. The hot espresso melts the cool gelato, creating a rich and creamy coffee sauce that mingles with the sweetness of the ice cream. You can enjoy it as is, savoring the interplay of hot and cold, or stir it up for more of a shake like dessert. You can even take it to the next level by adding a liqueur like Frangelico or Kahlua!
Tips for Summer Meal Prep
Meal prep can be a game-changer, especially during the summer when you’d rather spend more time outdoors than in the kitchen.
Prepare your ingredients in advance, including washing and chopping vegetables and fruit. This allows for easy assembly of meals later.
To keep meals fresh and safe, always refrigerate them in airtight containers and consume them within a few days.
Summertime and Dinner is Easy
Summer meals don’t need to be complex to be delicious. Choose light, refreshing ingredients, prep what you can, and grill often for perfect hot-weather meals. Now, all you need to do is spread out the picnic blanket.
For the freshest fruit and vegetables, delicious premade meals, and the best cuts of meats, head to Caputo’s!
Summer is officially here and you know what that means? Food! Delicious, wholesome, fresh foods that pair amazingly with backyard BBQs, days at the beach, picnics in the park, or simply a fun afternoon with the family.
But, what are the best seasonal foods for summer? And, is there any benefit to eating seasonal ingredients as opposed to foods that aren’t in season? Well, fortunately, the food-lovers at Caputos have the answers you’re looking for right here.
We’re breaking down a list of our top 10 favorite summer fruits and vegetables as well as their nutritional benefits, so you can make the best decisions when it comes to your family, your health, and your recipes.
Top 5 Summer Fruits
Arguably, the best time of year to enjoy fruits is the summer time when the hard-to-get, sweet fruits finally come back into season – and for a great price! In the Chicagoland area, there are tons of exceptional fruit options for summer and we’re here to tell you our five personal favorites and why you should put them on the list for your next Caputos grocery visit!
Watermelon
Watermelon is THE summer fruit, what with its high water content and large-enough-to-feed-a-family-of-7-deliciousness. High in vitamin A and C, this fruit is as nutritionally-dense as it is beautiful to look at. Rich reds offer high levels of potassium and B6 to keep your heart and eyes healthy.
Blend up watermelons for amazing summertime margaritas or sprinkle a little feta into your watermelon salad for the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
Strawberries
Strawberries are beloved by kiddos and adults alike, offering the distinct sweet and slightly sour taste of summertime childhood. These sweet fruits are also packed with fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, which is super helpful for fighting inflammation and keeping your teeth sparkly white.
Blend Strawberries up for a summertime popsicle recipe or add them to a fresh grilled chicken salad for a boost of color and flavor.
Pineapple
SpongeBob is not the only fan of this delicious summer fruit. We love pineapples for their sweet, tropical flavor, giving us a taste of vacations in Hawaii (even if we’re just sitting in our backyard). They also help boost your metabolism and reduce inflammation, so you can look and feel your best.
Add a couple cubes of pineapple to your chicken and pepper skewers or create an amazing Bay Breeze cocktail and impress your friends with a fun, backyard dinner and drink night.
Kiwi
We think kiwis are the most underrated summer fruit and we’re putting a stop to that now. These colorful and delicious fruits are packed with vitamin A, C, and B6, giving you loads of powerful, inflammation fighting benefits. They also taste amazing and are the perfect, complimentary color to add fruit salad.
Scoop a kiwi or two and blend with strawberries, yogurt, and pineapple juice for the perfect, refreshing summer smoothie you can enjoy anywhere, anytime.
Mango
Along with watermelon, we think mangos take the cake for the best summertime fruit of all time. These beautiful, colorful fruits pair well with all types of dishes – salty, sweet, umami; you name it and mangos probably pair well with it.
They’re also rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin A, giving you protection against harmful blue rays that can affect your eyes. We love adding mango to a summertime salsa, for the perfect balance of fresh, sweet, and spicy.
Top 5 Summer Vegetables
As much as we love summertime fruits, we might love summertime veggies even more – we know, it’s surprising us too!
Summer is the best season for producing fresh, crisp vegetables that are as colorful as they are nutritious. You can also cook, chop, roast, boil, and grill these veggies to your heart’s content during the heated months, which means more time for outdoor parties and hanging with friends.
A win-win in our book.
Here are our top five favorite summer vegetables to pick up on your next grocery visit.
Zucchini
Zucchini, also known as the “summer squash,” is like its fall and winter cousins in texture and shape, but delivers a crisp and colorful taste and appearance that is perfect to enjoy during the hotter, summer months. Best part? There’s truly no wrong way to cook zucchini – grill it, sauté it, fry it, stew it; the options are truly endless!
We love coring zucchini and creating spicy taco boats that pair with a fresh margarita or paloma for the perfect outdoor summer dinner.
Cucumber
What can’t you pair with a cucumber? You can put them in salads, sandwiches, wraps, or on a delicious veggie tray paired with smoky meats and cheeses. While their versatility is of course a benefit, we also love that cucumbers are rich in water and vitamin K, perfect to keep your hydrated during the hot, summer months.
For picky eaters, we suggest adding cucumbers to a fruit smoothie! They won’t be able to taste it, but they’ll still get all the amazing vitamins and mineral.
Corn
Is there anything more summer-coded than a grilled corn on the cob? We don’t think so, which is why corn takes our prize for best summer vegetable! Packed with vitamin C, corn is perfect for adults, kiddos, and seniors looking to add color, texture, and flavor to any dish.
Salsa? Add corn! Chicken and mashed potato bowl? Add corn! Summer salad? Add corn. The opportunities are endless.
Eggplant
Veggie lovers rejoice! We have the perfect, non-meat option for summertime that is flavorful, delicious, and oh-so colorful. Eggplants are so versatile, making them great for vegans and vegetarians looking for a meat alternative to use for their favorite meals.
You can grill it, add it in place for chicken for a parmesan, skewer it, fry it, and sauté it. Whatever way you choose to enjoy your eggplant, know that you’re also getting a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber to help keep you energized and active.
Carrots
Finally, we have carrots – our favorite, colorful vegetables that’s easy on the stomach and the eyes (really, the beta carotene is phenomenal). Carrots are also richly packed with memory supporting vitamins and minerals to help keep your brain strong and healthy – even post-summertime.
Finely chop some carrots and add it into a brownie recipe for the perfect, hidden dessert recipe that even the pickiest kiddos can’t say no to.
Shop Angelo Caputos For High-Quality Summer Fruits and Vegetables
Ready to find the delicious, fresh, and high-quality summer fruits and vegetables at a grocery store near you? Shop Angelo Caputos today and be a part of the family that has looked after Chicagoland since 1958.
When you shop with us, you can trust you’re getting the same reliable, trusted customer experience we’ve been providing for over 60+ years.
Shop now or give us a call and we’ll help you find the exact produce you’re looking for to create your next timeless recipe.
