By Holly Martin
Nothing beats the beautiful bounties of spring! B.F. Mazzeo’s is stocked top to bottom with bright vibrant produce. Jenna Russo, the chef, and baker at B.F Mazzeo gathers all her ingredients for the day from the fresh produce in the store. From the lunch grab-and-go meals to the mouth-watering fruit tarts, Russo plans her creations to fit everyone’s diet and complement the seasonal fruits and vegetables. For spring, Russo is planning her new upcoming entrees and desserts to be light, comforting, and clean. “That’s what I love about spring,” says Russo. “It’s going to be delicious!” She described using more citrus flavors and adding springtime vegetables to everyone’s favorite chicken entrees.
Easter is coming and Russo has planned to have all the traditional favorites ready to go! The braided Italian Easter bread makes for a great snack and centerpiece. The center of each bread, depending on the size you want, features beautifully colored eggs in the center! “People love dipping it in coffee or tea, and it’s very colorful,” says Russo. “Who doesn’t love a good decoration you can eat!”
The traditional meat pies will be available for Easter. Jenna Russo recalls the meat pie’s Italian tradition as being part of the celebration of the end of lent! After giving up meat for so long, dig your fork into the savory meat pie. The meat pie is her grandmother’s recipe. “It’s a ricotta-based pie, but it’s savory. It has pepperoni, ham salami, a lot of black pepper, and parmesan cheese. It is fantastic” The pie can be served chilled or warm, but Russo urges you to pull it right out of the fridge and onto the plate.
While you grab your Easter favorites, B.F. Mazzeo is stocked with all of your spring favorites. Russo has created new beautiful fruit tarts and pies that sit in the bakery section of the store right next to the gloriously blooming fruit arrangements you can purchase any day. It is best to go to the store early since these fruit tarts seem to fly off the shelves!
Did you know B.F Mazzeo’s offers a wide selection of grab-and-go meals? Russo creates dozens of meals that cater to all diets including vegetarian and vegan options. The eggplant meatballs are my go-to lunch special, and I could eat the salmon with fresh herbs over a bed of seasonal vegetables every day. “Our meatballs are going to stay year-round,” explains Russo. “Even the eggplant meatballs, they’re great for vegetarians, they’re good.” Knowing all the ingredients came from the store makes it all the more impressive!
Love juiced fruits and vegetables? B.F. Mazzeo’s selection of juices blew me away including lemon, orange, tangerine, green, sweet beets, grapefruit, and more! They have freshly juiced items all along with their refrigerated system near the registers. Right by the collections of cookies, cakes, banana bread, and strombolis!
Keep an eye out for Russo’s spring and summer baked surprises. Spoiler alert! She’s already planning sensational tomato pie with the fresh and local Jersey Tomato season. Nothing beats fresh jersey tomatoes, with basil, scallion, and cheese in a buttery crust. Run, don’t walk, to B.F. Mazzeo and grab these amazing meals and treats.
Holly Martin has been working in media since 2012. She has worked as a photographer and videographer throughout her high school and college career. Holly is a producer for WOND radio as well as fill in DJ for 103.7 WMGM Rocks. She loves being a concert photographer and working as event staff. She has worked as a reporter for Temple University’s Philadelphia Neighborhoods and submitted Editorials to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She has done multiple multimedia articles for Temple as well as Shore Local Newsmagazine. Her portfolio website is www.hollyamartin.com
