It’s home.grown. Hard Squash Season!
When it comes to autumn, no food represents the season like the colorful rinds and stout shapes of squash. We’re proud to source our hard squashes from local farmers here in the Northeast each fall. Kinderhook Creek Farm in Stephentown, NY and Hoover’s Produce in Port Trevorton, PA plant hard squash seeds in the spring and ship their harvest to us in early September.
Beyond butternut, a common winter squash, expand your palate this season with some of these lesser-known but equally flavorful squash varieties.
Spaghetti
When roasted, the flesh inside this pale, oval-shaped squash separates into creamy, tender strands that resemble spaghetti. Spaghetti squash is mild tasting, so accent it with bold sauces or seasonings. It’s also the perfect low-carb substitute any way you sauce it, as well as the ideal substitute for rice noodles in Asian-style noodle bowls.
Delicata
Delicata squash is ridged, earthy-tasting and has a creamy consistency. This squash’s thin, edible skin allows it to be cooked more quickly than other varieties. Sliced into scalloped rings or half-moons, delicata is excellent steamed, sautéed with olive oil and herbs, or added to simmering soups and stews.
Sweet Dumpling
Typically baked or roasted with the skin on, sweet dumpling squash has smooth textures and appear mini in size. They make an excellent addition to green salads, grain bowls, and soups or puréed and added to mashed potatoes for a boost in flavor and nutrients.
Acorn
With a shape resembling an acorn, this squash has an orange-colored flesh with a delicious, mildly nutty taste. Look for varieties with a dull, green rind for the tenderest flesh. Acorn squash is great baked with the center scooped out and stuffed with a savory filling like rice pilaf or soup.
Italian Tonight?
As the weather cools down and you begin to feel a chill in the air, a home-cooked Italian meal is the perfect way to warm up. When it comes to Italian we certainly aren’t picky, whether it be starting from scratch cooking sauce all day, or opening your favorite jar of sauce, we have all of your necessities. We love all types of Italian meals and we’re excited to spend time celebrating this delicious cuisine with you!
Looking for some ideas for Italian inspiration? Start by bringing home big Italian flavor with Contadina® Tomato products and new Contadina® Pizzettas! For 100 years, Contadina has produced tomatoes that hold the standard of Italy, using fresh vine-ripened tomatoes that are grown with care.
Fresh from the sun-kissed fields of Italy, Mutti tomatoes are Italy’s #1 brand for a reason. Many years ago, Mutti decided to focus all of their efforts on tomatoes, rather than having many different good products, they have now have one excellent product. With a true respect for the tomatoes and nature in their fields, Mutti has thrived in bringing the highest-quality tomatoes from their land to your kitchen table.
Casaro Cheesemakers are true artisans, handcrafting the highest quality Italian specialty cheeses since 1929. Enjoy Casaro’s 1lb Fresh Mozzarella produced locally in our hometown of Schenectady, NY. Casaro in Italian translates to “cheesemaker” and the name is fitting given the expert quality you can taste in every bite. From Casaro’s creamy Fresh mozzarella to their aged Parmesan and Romano, you’ll be cheesin’ for more.
Finally, when preparing your Italian feast you can’t forget the ABC’s of Pasta! Appearance, a good amber color shows quality, rather than reddish, grayish, or whitish hues. Bite, good pasta should cook “al dente,” meaning “to the tooth.” This means pasta should be firm when it’s ready to be eaten. Clarity, pasta made with the best quality durum wheat should not release much starch into the water. Check to make sure the cooking water is clear, rather than cloudy. And doesn’t break, pasta made with the highest quality durum wheat should not, break, stick, or clump during cooking. Now you know your ABC’s…of pasta!
Enjoy a delicious Italian meal during the cooler weather. There’s nothing like a good home-cooked meal to warm your spirits. For whichever meal you decide to try Price Chopper/Market 32 is your one stop shop for everything Italian. Come see us!
What Makes A Noodle A Noodle?
It’s National Noodle Day and we’ve set out to answer one very complicated question, what makes a noodle a noodle? The answer is more complicated than you may expect. However, the story of how a simple noodle grew into such great variety, becoming the base of an endless amount of our favorite dishes today is extraordinary.
It’s highly debated whether noodles were first invented in China or Italy. Many scientists and food historians say both, and due to lack of evidence, it’s pointless to argue otherwise. In 2005, Chinese scientists discovered a 4000-year-old bowl of pasta at an archaeological site in Lajia, China. Noodle enthusiasts everywhere were jumping for joy, as it seemed to be the earliest example of a noodle in history. Scientists believe that the noodles were made of two kinds of millet, which are similar to the wheat grains that Chinese noodles and European pasta are made from today. However, scientists said it was not enough to confidently credit China with inventing the noodle.
On a quest for some answers, American food writer Jen Lin-Liu set out on a six-month trip in 2010-2011, researching noodles from Beijing to Rome, traveling along the Silk Road. She determined that noodles were documented in China earlier than anywhere in the western world. In China the earliest documentation appeared around 300-200 BC, while in the west early documentation came around 500-600 AD. Len-Liu says because of this the Chinese probably were the first to eat noodles, but that doesn’t mean they “invented” the noodle, or the pasta we enjoy today.
Barbara Santich, a professor at the University of Adelaide backs Lin-Liu, claiming there is a lack of historical evidence as to who can officially claim the noodle. She also says that Chinese noodles were made with soft wheat back then, so there is no way they could have begun making the dried pasta we enjoy today. Therefore, she adds, “Chinese noodles did not develop into what is now known as Mediterranean pasta, and pasta did not make its way from China to Italy.”
According to Santich, European pasta dates back to Greek literature, from the word “itri” or “itria” meaning a flour and water dough that’s rolled into thin sheets and cut into strips. Noting that Syria was at one time a Greek colony, these mentions transferred to Arabic. Also, the Arabs conquered Sicily and southern Italy, so it’s possible the Arabs brought pasta to Italy, exported it around Europe, and that exportation led to the various styles we have today, such as macaroni, tortellini, and ravioli.
This all becomes fuzzy because of the vagueness of the word “noodle.” A “noodle” is defined as a long, stringy substance, but the word was evolved by the western world, making it seem synonymous, or closely related to the word “pasta.” So, long story short, Asians have been eating noodles, that probably first came from China, for many, many years, while Europeans enjoy pasta that was developed in the western world many, many years ago.
At Price Chopper & Market 32, we’re big fans of noodles and pasta, including our NEW Market 32 premium fresh pastas. We offer four great varieties including Four Cheese Tortelloni, featured in this delicious recipe for Sheet-Pan Butternut Squash, Bacon, & Brussels Sprouts Tortelloni. Pick up a package at your local store!
Source: https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2016/07/29/who-invented-noodle-italy-or-china
Our October home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Artisanal Brew Works!
We love all things local, and one of our favorite sectors of local food is local beer. There are so many different brews, flavors, and styles, and so many stories to tell! That’s why we’re embarking on a new home.grown. adventure: to bring you fresh craft beer stories each month from our Northeast region; the best region in the United States if you ask us!
Up next: Artisanal Brew Works!
Owned by two high school teachers, Artisanal Brew Works is a microbrewery located in Saratoga Springs, NY. Kurt Borchardt and Colin Quinn spend their days educating both the youth in the classroom, and craft beer fans in the brewery. Artisanal Brew Works products are a lesson in variety. They make it their mission to appeal to a plethora of tastes with their expansive list of local, handcrafted beers.
One of the favorites of these handcrafted beers is a hazy, New-England style IPA known as Daily Double. Beginning with a citrusy and fruity aroma, and finishing with hop bitterness, Daily Double is a flavorful experience you’ll have to try for yourself. Luckily, it’s one of the brews currently on tap.
Another staple beverage from Artisanal Brew Works is White in the Glasses. Cloudy due to the high amount of wheat used, White in the Glasses is a tasty Belgian Wit. Spiced with a touch coriander and orange peel, it’s a prime example of a light, yet perfectly flavored craft brew.
Interested in trying some Artisanal brews?
Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Artisanal Brew Works craft beef, take home some brewery swag and more.
Saturday 10/5, 11am – 2pm at our Wilton Market 32
Saturday 10/12, 11am – 2pm at our Clifton Park Plaza Market 32
Saturday 10/19, 11am – 2pm at our Malta Price Chopper
Saturday 10/26, 11am – 2pm at our Amsterdam Market 32
Interested in visiting the brewery?
Make the most of everything Artisanal Brew Works has to offer! Visit artisanalbrewworks.com/ for taproom hours and menu, get info on brewery tours and more.
Brewery House Address: 41 Geyser Rd, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Hot sauce junkies, heat connoisseurs and spiciness fanatics: We’re comin’ in hot with our next monthly feature!
Each month we’re bringing you fresh stories on a different sauce brand, sharing some flavor insights, stories behind the brands and more. Travel with us on an adventure consisting of varying degrees of heat each month!
October’s Feature: Culinary Tours Peri Peri Hot Sauce!
Peri Peri, or “pepper pepper” in Swahili, is a fiery kick of African-style heat. This blazing blend of red and Peri Peri peppers with spices and garlic delivers an intense flavor inferno, perfect for chicken, shrimp, or stir-fry. Peri Peri is a traditional African sauce, made from African Bird’s Eye Chili Peppers, which pack a punch of spice similar to that of a Habanero.
In short, our mission with Culinary Tours is to bring you the flavors of the world, without the costs and time commitment of world travel. Each Culinary Tours product is made to feel like an adventure to a different part of the world, all from the comfort of your own home. This is especially true in our salsas and spicy sauces, like Peri Peri Hot Sauce.
Turn up the heat with Culinary Tours this month, and tune in next month for our November Hot Sauce of the Month!
National Coffee Day
September 29th is National Coffee Day and we’re celebrating! Coffee has a surprisingly long history, and in honor of the holiday we’re looking to uncover all of the mysteries surrounding this beloved bean. We did some research and discovered some interesting information that you may not have known before.
It is said that coffee was first discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi. Kaldi noticed that his goats would become energetic and not sleep at night after they ate the berries from a certain tree. He was curious, and he brought his realization to the abbot of the local monastery. The abbot made himself a drink with these berries and found that it was helpful in keeping him alert during evening prayer. The abbot shared his discovery amongst the other monks, and word of these berries moved east to the Arabian Peninsula.
Coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula, where coffee was regularly enjoyed in homes, and the first coffee houses were created. These early coffee houses became important places to catch up on conversation and current music and news. They began to appear all over cities in the Near East where they were called “qahveh khaneh.” They became an essential spot for the spread of information, and because of this they were known as “Schools of the Wise.”
Europeans who would travel to the Near East would return home with stories of this magical drink, and eventually coffee made its way to Europe. At first, coffee was met with backlash in these European countries being called the “bitter invention of Satan,” and becoming condemned by the local clergy. However, Pope Clement VIII intervened, tasting the drink himself and finding it so satisfying he lifted the ban. Eventually, these same coffee houses became a common theme throughout countries like England, Austria, France, Germany, and Holland. Coffee replaced the popular breakfast drinks at the time, beer and wine, and became a new European morning staple.
But how did coffee make its way to the Americas? Great question! In 1714, the Mayor of Amsterdam presented a coffee plant as a gift to King Louis XIV of France. The King had the young plant grown in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Paris. In 1723, a young naval officer, Gabriel de Clieu obtained a seedling from the plant. On a traitorous journey home, he faced horrendous weather, a saboteur who attempted to destroy the seedling, and even a pirate attack. Yet, he managed to plant the seed in Martinique. This seed began an explosion of coffee trees in the Americas, and it led to the abundance of coffee we have today.
Big coffee drinker? Us too. We’re celebrating with one of our favorite local coffee brands from here in the Northeast: Death Wish Coffee!
Sample Death Wish Coffee’s famous brews from 11am-4pm on Sunday 9/29 at any of these stores:
Brunswick Market 32
Hamilton Square Market 32
Glenville Market 32
Wilton Market 32
Glen St Price Chopper
Mechanicville Price Chopper
East Greenbush Price Chopper
Clifton Shopper’s World Market 32
Market Bistro
Amsterdam Price Chopper
Route 50 Price Chopper
Bethlehem Price Chopper
Plattsburgh Market 32
Altamont Ave Price Chopper
Hudson Valley Plaza Market 32
Johnstown Rd. Price Chopper
Malta Price Chopper
Shaker Road Price Chopper
Niskayuna Price Chopper
Glenmont Price Chopper
Newburgh Price Chopper
Hopkinton Price Chopper
Clifton Park Plaza Market 32
Well that was fast – in the blink of an eye summer vacation has come and gone. School, work, sports, clubs, and all types of extracurricular activities have resumed and things are already hectic. In the midst of all this, finding time to do your grocery shopping can be challenging. We understand your struggle, and at Price Chopper/Market 32 we are continuously working to provide ways to a more convenient, less time consuming shopping experience.
Our curbside grocery pickup service is a prime example. Available on any device, you can submit an online or mobile order, and complete your whole grocery list with the click of a few buttons. Simply login to your online account, or quickly create a new account, and use your AdvantEdge card for points on every purchase. Select your favorite items and a convenient pickup time for your schedule and just like that your shopping is finished.
Worried about receiving the correct items? Don’t be. Our shoppers are trained to pick out the same quality items that you would choose yourself. In the meantime, you can leave specific instructions for your shopper or contact them throughout the shopping process to clear up any questions or concerns.
Once the order is complete and ready for pickup, park in one of our designated curbside pickup spaces and call the store to let them know you’ve arrived. We will bring your order directly to your car, so there’s no need to leave your vehicle. For more information on curbside pickup visit our website, https://www.pricechopper.com/services/pick-up/.
Try our pickup service today and enjoy your time better spent!
Written by Rainy McEwan, Jr. Business Analyst
It's officially here!
Summer is officially here! In the Northeast we know that means we finally get three lovely months of respite from the cold winter, so we have to make the most of it! Between beach trips, hiking, and days at the pool, there’s one thing they all have in common: they require energy! Instacart can save you time and energy by delivering your groceries straight to your door in as little as two hours! Now you can have a lovely picnic instead of spending that time at the store!
Sunrise hike.....
Time to pack up in preparation for a sunrise hike? You’ll want some protein on the way! Bring some granola bars or cheese and crackers to easily snack on and keep your energy up. Don’t forget plenty of water, too! Once you reach the summit, what better way to celebrate your accomplishment than a nice breakfast spread? Muffins, turnovers, or bagels, just don’t forget the coffee!
Something about the fireflies in the humid summer air feels romantic, doesn’t it? But why wait until the weekend to sweep your significant other off their feet? With Instacart, delivery is available in as little as two hours, so you can have everything right at your door soon after getting home from work! Start with a simple, light salad: greens and your favorite toppings, or save some time with a grab ‘n’ go salad! Then impress with your expertly prepared main course- some marinated chicken breasts, perhaps? Close out the meal with some fresh, ripe strawberries– light and refreshing, this aphrodisiac is everything to love about the season.
Cookout Classics
Classic cookouts require all the essentials: hot dogs, hamburgers, and snacky sides galore! You’ll need something for your guests to stack all your delicious treats on, just add some Simply Done designer tableware to your cart! But oh no, you realize you forgot potato salad and soda, and your guests are already arriving. Not a problem, Instacart here to save the day! Available at over 100 locations, just go to the website or app, add what you need to your cart and an Instacart shopper will pick up and deliver your items straight to your door! You can rest easy knowing that Instacart will be there for all your
mishaps, tight spots, and days where you really want to avoid leaving the A.C. this summer.
Acqua Panna® is a 100% still natural spring water from Tuscany. Crafted by nature, it flows through the beautiful sun-drenched hills of Tuscany. Each drop is naturally filtered and perfected by time on its 14 year journey to the spring, obtaining a special mineral balance for a smooth taste, like no other. This natural spring water is the result of an epic journey that started in 1564 when it was first bottled and continues strong to this day.
Acqua Panna is naturally alkaline from the source, with a pH of 8.0 or higher. The 1L (33.8 fl oz) plastic bottle has a new stylish and sophisticated design that is perfect to take with you on the go and is cup-holder friendly. Acqua Panna bottles are 100% recyclable and BPA free.
Acqua Panna is the perfect companion for every step of your journey. Discover more at http://www.acquapanna.com
Fourth of July
On July 4th, 1776, the colonies officially declared their independence from England. Thus beginning the long journey from the 13 colonies to the 50 states. Each year, Americans celebrate the Fourth of July to commemorate one of the biggest days in our country’s history.
A five-man team was appointed to present the colonies’ case for independence, including a few proud sons of our home.grown. states; John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, who was tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence. The Continental Congress convened on July 1, 1776, to discuss the matter, with revisions of Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration continuing until the afternoon of July 4th, 1776. Finally, the Declaration was officially adopted.
There are many ways to celebrate the Fourth, fireworks, barbeques, hanging out with friends and family, or even becoming a U.S. citizen! Each year, over 14,000 people are welcomed in by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The process entails a series of requirements, such as being a permanent resident or green cardholder, the ability to speak, read, and write English, being of good moral character, passing of a citizenship test, and more. Certainly a strenuous task, but once citizenship is earned these newcomers help strengthen our nation as another contributor to our democracy.
One of the staples of good Fourth of July fun is going to see the fireworks. We discovered some of the most impressive displays the country has to offer. The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks in New York City is the largest show in the country. Using 3,000 effects in 25 action-packed minutes, the show is viewed by 3 million people annually. Other impressive displays include the DO A.C. Fourth of July Fireworks in Atlantic City, the Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing! show in Nashville, the National Mall Independence Day Celebration in Washington D.C., and the Addison Kaboom Town! show in Dallas. Looking for a blast of a show in our Northeast home? We recommend checking out the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular!
Anyway you choose to celebrate is your own freedom. Yet, no matter your plans we have everything you need to enjoy the day to the fullest. From PICS Ice Cream to barbeque sauce we are your one stop shop for all of the holiday essentials!
Happy Fourth!
Sources:
https://www.military.com/independence-day/history-of-independence-day.html
https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-07-03/the-10-biggest-fireworks-displays-in-the-us http://immigrationimpact.com/2018/07/03/citizens-naturalization-ceremonies-fourth-july/#.XRTejflKiUk