Thanking the Moms in our lives

Thanking the Moms in our lives

From mimosas to strawberry shortcake, Sigona’s has all ingredients for an unforgettable and relaxing Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is only just a few days from now – Sunday, May 10th, to be exact – and if you’re anything like the rest of us, you’re shaking your head in disbelief, wondering how it got to be that time of year already. If this news alert has sent you scrambling, keep on reading for some great mom-inspired Mother’s Day treats that are guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of the mom in your life.

I asked a few members of my extended family to compare notes about the traditions and memories they share from Mother’s Day. There was one clear majority that bubbled to the top – in treating our moms, our favorites include both the aromas and food that bring out the best of a California spring: from roses, to strawberries, to mimosas.

As for me and my family, my wife and our two boys usually drive down to visit my mom in Morgan Hill the Saturday before Mother’s Day where we enjoy the best of the season’s fruit and fresh flowers as part of a traditional feast. Then, on Mother’s Day, we turn the celebration toward my wife, to whom I’ve been married for 15 years! After giving her a bouquet of flowers and taking her to Mass, we spend the day just celebrating her.

My cousin Quincey Sigona told me that when she was younger, she
would wake up before her Mom to scuttle quietly to the kitchen and prepare a fresh peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Her brother Noel and her dad, my uncle, Paul Sigona, would also followed closely behind with a beautiful bouquet of roses.

Cousin Jimmy Sigona’s most memorable Mother’s Day was when he helped his mom make a big dinner for the family. One custom Jimmy clearly learned from his mom is to never cut corners when it comes to food! The feast they prepared included filo dough appetizers stuffed with mushrooms and feta, lasagna and meatballs as main course options, and strawberry shortcake for dessert made with local berries and fresh whipped cream. The two drank his mom’s homemade Honey Meade and listened to music as they prepared the meal together. It was truly a loving way to spend the precious time together.

For another take on Mother’s Day traditions, I also asked a few of the local ladies that shop at Sigona’s about their celebrations and for any day-of pointers. Nearly each and every one suggested keeping it simple and, of course, family-focused. There is no need to make a reservation at a fancy restaurant! Try pairing great food and aromas to set the stage for a truly enjoyable and unforgettable Mother’s Day.

For example, you can compliment a breakfast in bed with a bouquet of our just-cut flowers, some California-grown organic raspberries and our fresh-squeezed orange juice (a ½ gallon is on sale now for $5.99, regularly $8.99). Or you can make a super simple dessert with fresh, organic Watsonville-grown strawberries using the recipe in the sidebar of this issue. I’ve listed a few more ideas below for you, too.

So no matter how you choose to enjoy the season’s bounty this Mother’s Day – whether it be a picnic with a spread of appetizers, breakfast in bed, or even a kiss and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, remember that mom thinks nothing can compare to a beautiful meal made by the hands of her loved ones.

Take care,
Robbie Sigona

Recipes Your Mom Will Love

  • Get out the champagne flutes for mimosas made with fresh-squeezed orange juice and Californian sparkling wine.
  • Pretend you spent all day cooking a rich, Sicilian style pasta sauce just by opening a jar of one of ours. We won’t tell…really! Pair it with our fresh Saporito pasta. It’s made locally, just 5 blocks from our Redwood City location!
  • Hit up our olive bar! Create a lovely antipasti plate using a variety of our savory items, such as our Sicilian Olives, which are perfect on a warm afternoon with bread and Sigona’s Fresh Press extra virgin olive oil.
  • Share a bouquet of fragrant flowers. Lilacs and other nose-treats are in now our floral shop.
  • Bring France to your backyard with our wild porcini mushrooms (in season now!) and a wedge of Brie. Grab a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine and you’re set for a lovely afternoon picnic. Which wines? Well, we suggest White Oak Merlot ($25.99) or a Leaping Lizard Pinot Noir ($19.99).

Robbie’s Produce Tips:

Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice:

  • Valencia oranges make the most flavorful, fresh-squeezed orange juice. A perfect balance of sweet and tart. Be certain to drink it within a day to fully experience the flavor and benefit from all the Vitamin C.
  • Since Valencias are at the height of the season, we’re fresh squeezing batches several times a day. Plus, as I mentioned in the article, we’re offering the juice at $5.99 for a half gallon.

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