The first sip of cool and crisp white wine. A paper thin slice of prosciutto aged for 22 months. A local peach at peak ripeness. This summer, we're rediscovering the taste of summer, one ingredient at a time. See what's in season at our marketplace now, then shop safely in-store, order groceries and wine for delivery or pick-up on Instacart or order directly through our catalog (we deliver to all five boroughs).
Every season has its allure, but summer's bounty of juicy cherries, bursting tomatoes, and fresh herbs makes it one of our favorites. Take a peek at what's hitting peak ripeness in our marketplace.
SWEET CHERRIES
Firm and plump, mid-summer is the peak season for sweet cherries from Michigan. For the perfect ripeness, be sure to pick the darkest cherries.
The Farm: Mick Klug grew up on a 40-acre farm his parents established in the 1930s. He took ownership in 1974, and expanded the land to over 120 acres. They are committed to sustainable agriculture and promoting locally grown produce, and Mick Klug Farm is MAEAP Environmentally verified for their cropping and farmstead systems.
Recipe Ideas: Slice over White Moustache Yogurt for a breakfast parfait.
Storage: Keep your cherries refrigerated for up to two weeks (if you can manage to keep them that long). Stems actually help cherries' shelf-life, so leave them on until you're ready to eat!
HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
Vine-ripened and hand-picked, these uniquely beautiful tomatoes are grown from seeds that are over 50 years old. Their diversity in texture, flavor, and shape will easily add new depth to any dish.
Recipe Idea: Slice up for a colorful Caprese salad, or enjoy simply with a drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of Cervia sea salt.
Storage: If you plan to eat your tomatoes soon, you can leave them on your counter as they’ll ripen faster at room temperature. Just remember that if your house is warm, peak tomatoes will ripen quickly!
BASIL
Fresh and aromatic, basil is a staple herb in Italian cuisine. The most common variety of basil used in Italian cooking is Sweet Basil – particularly the Basilico Genovese DOP cultivar – with curved, bright green leaves.
Recipe ideas: Garnish your Caprese salad with this aromatic herb, or make your own pesto alla genovese with creamy pine nuts, Ligurian olive oil, and Parmigiano Reggiano DOP and Pecorino Romano DOP from our salumi and formaggi counter.
Storage: Treat your basil like fresh flowers! Take the fresh bunch of basil and trim a bit off the ends of the stems. Fill a glass with about an inch or two of water, and stick the basil right in. You can either store on the counter, or cover the whole glass with a plastic bag, close tightly around the glass with a rubber band, and store in the fridge. Your basil will stay bright and fresh for about a week.
Don't let the season's best slip away! Check out our guide to eating (and drinking) summer produce, and get a few creative grilling ideas.
Produced in Langhirano, Parma, Ferrarini’s Prosciutto di Parma DOP is made with just high-quality pork legs, air from the Parma hills, sea salt and time. Each hand-selected pork leg is slowly cured in cellars that are constantly controlled for temperature and humidity using innovative technologies patented by the Ferrarini group themselves. The result? A delicate cured meat with subtly sweet notes.
Recipe ideas: Pair this salume with Parmigiano Reggiano DOP for a savory, complex antipasto board that showcases the best of Emilia-Romagna's distinct microclimate and artisanal food traditions. Pour a glass of Fontanafredda Gavi del Comune di Gavi, made from 100% Cortese grapes that offer floral and bitter apple notes with a dry finish.
SUMMER VINO PICKS
Don't forget the vino, amici! Whether you're in the mood for crisp whites like Fontanafredda Gavi del Comune di Gavi or Bastianich Friulano, or full-bodied Southern reds like Donnafugata Nero D'Avola, shop wine over 1200 bottles of Italian wines or order bottles directly through Caviar. Check out our sommelier's picks for summer, and chat with our vino experts to find complementary bottles for your next meal.
Packing a picnic? Stock your pantry with these ingredients that travel well from your kitchen to the park. Take inspiration from an Italian-inspired menu: make a pasta al pesto with Antica Madia Farfalle Tomato Basil Pasta and Niasca Portofino Basil Pesto alla Genovese. Pair with BjornQorn Classic Popcorn for a crunchy snack, and pack S.Pellegrino Momenti Sparkling Water for a refreshing drink.
ALL THE WAYS TO SHOP
To support you even more in your daily shopping, we’re taking pick-up orders directly. Browse our catalog and contact guestrelationschi@eataly.com or 312.521.8700 to place your order for same-day pick-up in our store or for local delivery. We deliver in the city of Chicago!
If you order pick-up and are practicing social distancing, we are happy to run your order out to you! Simply give us a call at 312.521.8700 when you're on your way to pick up your order.
