Ciao!

Fall is here already! The leaves are turning color, the air is getting chilly, and pumpkins are everywhere in the grocery stores. Here in America, pumpkin seems to be mostly used for carving Jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween decorating. But in Chef Angela’s hometown of Sezze, Italy, zucca (pumpkin in Italian) is a “V.I.I.” — Very Important Ingredient — in seasonal cooking. This month at Bellangela Italian Cuisine we will be celebrating zucca in several tasty ways. And we are also making an exciting announcement about something new!

Bella in the Kitchen Collection: Fashion and Philanthropy! *UPDATE – Due to current COVID conditions in Italy, Bellangela has temporarily canceled the Bella in the Kitchen Collection.

Chef Angela and her team are proud to announce the launch of a new line of high-end fashion for the kitchen created exclusively for Bellangela Italian Cuisine: Bella in the Kitchen. These uniquely Italian pieces have been designed, curated, and handmade in Milan by ZiaVirna Handmade — the same Italian artist who taught us craft labs during summer. The Bella in the Kitchen online shop will offer exquisitely original and dazzlingly colorful aprons, potholders, and placemats not available anywhere else. These high-quality pieces of wearable art are so special and beautiful you’ll want to take them beyond the kitchen out into the world! Orders for Holiday Season are already open: order or gift these exclusive Italian masterpieces!

Not only will you have a little bit of Italy to call your own with this collection, you will do good with every order: part of the proceeds will go to the non-profit AMA (Associazione Amici Maria Ausiliatrice) School of San Donato Milanese located in Milan, Italy, where Chef Angela lived and worked for 11 years. This organization promotes education, training, and opportunities for cultural activities. Support a worthy cause while you add fabulous Italian style to your life!

Fresh Frozen Seasonal Lasagna made with our V.I.I. – Very Important Ingredient

This month pumpkin makes an appearance somewhere you might not have experienced it: lasagna. The Lasagna di Zucca e Salsiccia (Pumpkin and Sausage Lasagna) is created with the same lasagna pasta and homemade velvety béchamel sauce you already love in Bellangela’s traditional and artichoke lasagna. Chef Angela adds zesty sausage and naturally sweet pumpkin for a taste sensation that is delicious and deeply satisfying.

I love the sweetness and texture of the pumpkin with the other ingredients. Great flavors! – Liliana R.

Order it from Chef Angela’s Fresh Frozen Foods here.

Cooking Classes featuring our V.I.I. – Very Important Ingredient

Pumpkin is the perfect ingredient for making savory family meals as the days get colder. Learn how to cook flavorful pumpkin dishes by taking Chef Angela’s Seasonal Cooking Classes. Recipes include Zucca Croccante al Forno (Flatbread Pumpkin) which was featured in the Fall 2018 issue of Personal Chef Magazine; as well as creamy Risotto alla Zucca (Risotto with Pumpkin). Each class will also recommend the perfect Italian white wine pairing for each dish.

Buon appetito Bella!

Leave a reply, grazie!