New Jersey’s Edible History: Italian Dinner

Break bread with Choose New Jersey and get to know the food companies that bring the taste of Italy to the Garden State. Italian heritage has long been a prominent fixture in New Jersey’s history and business community. Did you know more than 1.5 million Italian Americans call our State home and represent nearly 18% of our population? In fact, 6 of the top 10 cities with the highest percent of Italian Americans in the U.S. are located in New Jersey. These hearty Old World cuisines are sure to be a hit at your family’s dinner table. Mangiamo!

APPETIZER: LISCIO’S BAKERY ITALIAN BREAD & COLAVITA EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

Slice up fresh, made-from-scratch ciabatta and lightly dip into a dish of EVOO to get your healthy dose of monosaturated fats.

Liscio’s Bakery is one of the region’s premier family-owned bakeries known for its bread, rolls and pastries. The company’s 40,000 sq. ft. wholesale production facility and corporate headquarters resides in Glassboro, NJ, with three retail locations in South Jersey offering deli cuisine and other Italian specialties.

Colavita USA, a subsidiary of Italian company Colavita, is a family-owned distributor based in Edison, NJ. The company produces olive oils, vinegars, pastas, and other specialty food products. Colavita’s authentic extra virgin olive oil is among the bestselling olive oils in America.

MAIN COURSE: FRATELLI BERETTA PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED SCALLOPS

Wrap slightly-salty, dry-aged prosciutto around grilled scallops flavored with lemon and pepper. Pair with veggies or pasta for a melt-in-your-mouth entrée.

The Beretta family, who use Old World techniques mastered in Italy, now makes much of its fine salami, mortadella and prosciutto here in Mount Olive, NJ. Fratelli Beretta remains the longest existing family-owned business in Italian charcuterie tradition. The 200-year old company supplies 75 percent of the prosciutto in the U.S.

Commercial fisheries are a thriving industry off the Jersey Coast. Viking Village in Barnegat Light, NJ, one of the largest suppliers of fish and seafood on the Eastern Seaboard, is a major sea scallop producer. NOAA Fisheries indicates commercial fishermen landed 10,481,288 pounds of Atlantic sea scallops in New Jersey in 2016 valuing more than $123 million.

DRINK: CAFFÈ BORBONE AFTER DINNER ESPRESSO

Take a sensory journey to Naples with the rich aroma of Neapolitan style espresso.

Caffè Borbone USA, located in Fairfield, NJ, is a coffee importer and manufacturer. The company is the leading producer of espresso pods in Italy and is quickly gaining popularity in the States with its convenient single-use packaging.

DESSERT: BUON’ITALIA’S TIRAMISU

Dig your fork into dreamy liquor and coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone cheese and whipped cream.

Buon’Italia, a staple within New York City’s historic Chelsea Market, is a gourmet Italian importer that recently crossed the Hudson to open a warehouse distribution center in Jersey City. The company cited New Jersey’s transportation, access to ports, and proximity to consumer base as integral to their decision to expand operations here.

Great Food Companies Choose New Jersey!