The first cool mornings of late summer are a refreshing reminder of what’s to come. Just when we may be sad to see summer go and to resume our routines, we are reminded of all the goodness that lies ahead. The cool evenings and mornings combined with the warm sunny afternoons result in some of the best foods of the late summer harvest.
Fall for Lunch this Back-to-School
If this time of the year has the kids (and maybe a few parents) singing the back-to-school blues, it’s time to find new ways to make this a fun and memorable season. Start off by sending the kids back to school with their favorite lunch items. Lunches can be boring, but if you start off your back-to-school routine with a new attitude, things may seem brighter!
Make your kids the envy of the lunch table when they unpack a Sam’s hoagie, also known as Philly’s Best Hoagie. Pick up a few of your favorite hoagies and slice them up to last for a couple of lunches and after-school snacks.
If your kiddo likes a less traditional lunch, consider some slices of Sam’s Tomato Pie and roll-ups of their favorite slices of cheese and meat from the deli counter. Our chicken cutlets warmed in the morning and put in a thermos are a frequent favorite lunch in our house, too!
Looking to start a sweet tradition? Celebrate every first day of school with a decadent and delicious dessert after their favorite dinner or even a fun cupcake as an afterschool snack.
Summer’s Sweetness Finale
Summer is the only season that gets a holiday to kick it off and a holiday to wrap it up! So, this Labor Day celebrate right and pick up one of our famous strawberry shortcakes or a summer fruit tart. While we say goodbye to the carefree summer days, it’s also a time to say goodbye to our shortcakes and tarts – until next year!
You Say Tomato– I Say Yes!
I just can’t get enough of this season’s Lancaster tomatoes. They’re so perfect, I keep looking for more ways to use them. Not only are these gems super delicious, they are good for you, too. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins and other nutrients like lycopene and thiamine. So, you can indulge in these glorious tomatoes with no guilt.
Here are some other things to do with tomatoes so you can enjoy them throughout the coming months when the days get shorter, colder, and busier.
Preserving
I’m not talking about canning tomatoes, which is a great thing to do if that’s what you enjoy. I mean trying some new ways to enjoy them like making your own sundried tomatoes! In a few steps you can make your own dehydrated tomatoes that you can enjoy this Fall and even gift to friends.
Freezing
Another new discovery is tomato butter which can be used immediately on pasta, meats, and bread or can be frozen to enjoy later. I love these butters because you can adjust with what you have on hand- substitute lemon for lime or rosemary and chives for basil! When you have this butter at the ready, you can take a simple meal to the next level.
If you love pizza, you and your family may enjoy a new tradition of making pizza on the weekends. Pick up some of these ripe Lancaster tomatoes and try your hand at making some of your own sauce and double the batch so you can freeze some sauce for the first blustery day you don’t feel like take-out pizza. Make the task easier by buying our pre-made dough and your favorite pizza cheese from our case.
Another smart way to use these tomatoes is to whip up some homemade tomato soup. A great thing about soup is you can freeze it which means you’ll always have a quick, hearty, and homemade meal in the freezer. This is perfect for hot lunches on the go.
Keep it Social
If you haven’t visited us on social media, now is the time. Check us out on TikTok @samsitalianmarket for a behind-the-scenes look at our delicacies and get some good ideas on what to pick up on your next visit to the store. If you can’t resist satisfying reels, check out our Instagram and watch (and rewatch) our bakers expertly frosting cakes! Don’t forget to post what you love most.
Additional Savings
We are also pleased to offer special savings of 10% on orders up to $100 for on-duty police officers, fire, and EMS personnel. And, every Wednesday, seniors over 65 will save 10% on orders up to $100.
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!