I love the summer as much as you do- going down the shore, relaxing by the pool, and enjoying ripe summer produce. But, if your summer is anything like mine, it’s also time to go to ball games, explore parks, and visit with some relatives you don’t see often.
As relaxing as it can be, it’s also a busy time. So, get the most out of your summer, stop by and stock up on some fresh produce and tasty prepared foods that will keep you out of the kitchen and doing what you enjoy most!
Here’s what’s new at Sam’s…
Local, Fresh, and Delicious
We believe it’s important to support local farms, so Adam and Frank are on their annual weekly pilgrimages to Lancaster to buy the freshest local produce right off the farms. This year’s bounty is one of the best we’ve seen! Lancaster’s best cantaloupe, watermelons, eggplant, onions, and of course, tomatoes, arrive at our store weekly. Sweet white peaches made their way back on this week’s haul!
Some highlights:
Onions to make you cry- with joy
Our customers are giving 5 stars to this year’s crop of white onions. If you like to fry onions for a side or saute them for your favorite dishes, you need to try these. Folks are saying they are so delicious they make everything taste better. These onions are just the slightest sweet and so good, you gotta try them for yourself.
You say Tomato…
If you’re like me, you can’t pass up a ripe tomato in the summer. Picked at the peak of freshness, this season’s tomato crops are fantastic! There are so many ways to enjoy them, but don’t forget one of the best ways to enjoy a tomato is to slice it, sprinkle it with some salt and enjoy! But, if you want to try something fancier, check out this Sicilian Pesto. It’s great to have a sauce like this on-hand to toss with cooked pasta or just take a slice of our Italian bread, spread it with the pesto and top with a slice of fresh tomato or one of our delicious cheeses. And, you will always serve a hit when you slice these tomatoes and serve with fresh mozzarella or burrata, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
These tomatoes remind me of a great salad I had before at Bucks County’s historic Pineville Tavern. It was made with the ripest tomatoes, a drizzle of dressing, and fantastic crumbled blue cheese. But, I found out it’s not regularly on the menu these days which means I’ll try my hand at making a copycat version with some of these Lancaster tomatoes- wish me luck!
Want to get married? Or cantaloupe?
The cantaloupe has been extremely popular and one of our customers commented that it’s sweet like candy. If you like this orange melon as a dessert or snack, just try it wrapped with some of our fine prosciutto- a fancy and delicious summer treat. Hey, what do you call a fruit that can’t run away and get married? Cantaloupe. (My daughters are rolling their eyes at that one.)
Unbe-leaf-able Summer Salads
Hail, Caesar- salad that is. If you’re headed to the beach or just have a busy day planned, grab one of our premade salads in the to-go case. And, when you crave something heartier, you’ll be sure to find a pre-made salad to satisfy you. A new favorite is our shrimp and pasta salad and on a hot day, it’s perfect as a light meal or use it to make a hoagie on one of our famous rolls.
Special Summer Occasions
Summertime is the ideal time to celebrate. No matter what the event is,, check out our catering menu and spend more time planning the party than cooking for guests. And, no party is complete without a sweet treat. Our cakes always delight our customers! Not only are our cakes high quality and delicious, but our cake decorator, Melissa, can create something special for any event from baby showers to kids parties to anniversary milestones.
Sam’s Italian Market & Bakery is a family-owned Philadelphia institution. Since our first store in the Olney section of Philadelphia, which opened in 1961, we have provided our local community with high-quality ingredients and prepared foods, steeped in our family’s traditions. Located at 3504 West Moreland Road in Willow Grove since 1977, we continue to provide delicious, high-quality food, including lunch, catering, prepared foods, and bakery and pastries – with unparalleled service for our customers!