Tomatoes
/Can you even consider Italian food without the tomato? We love them fresh on pizzas and in sauces tossed with pasta. While we wait anxiously for fresh tomato season and the arrival of home grown or farmer’s market tomatoes (I’m growing Super Sweet 100s, Brandywine, Yellow Pear and Yellow Girl), we can always find quality canned tomatoes for our sauces. Italians should thank us, since it was the Genovese explorer, Cristobal Colon, who brought tomato seeds from the New World back to Europe from his second voyage across the Atlantic. The earliest tomatoes were probably golden, since the Italian word for them, pomodoro, when broken into pomo d’ oro means golden apple.
The most famous (and reportedly the most widely copied or falsely labeled) is the San Marzano. A type of plum tomato that is perfect for baking and for sauces, it is grown on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius near Naples.
Look for the brands in the photos above. M’tucci’s Italian Market & Pizzeria carries La Bella San Marzano. True San Marzano tomatoes are only canned whole or in two halves. They make the best sauces since they have a lot of pulp, fewer seeds and water.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Beginning this week, the blog publication date will move to Thursday to allow us to bring you up to date on the weekend fish, meat and ravioli specials. We’re planning some special Chianina Beef items for this weekend and will tell you all about them on Thursday. Let’s just say that the only place in New Mexico where you can get an authentic Italian Chianina Steak with be at M’tucci’s.
MONDAY SPECIALS
M’tucci’s Italian Market & Pizzeria - 2 Cicchetis (small bites) for $5
M’tucci’s Italian - Half Price Shrubs & $5 Charcuterie Boards
M’tucci’s Moderno - All Night Happy Hour (3:00 - Close)
TUESDAY SPECIALS
M’tucci’s Italian Market & Pizzeria - $7 Wine Flights
M’tucci’s Italian - Half Price Bottles of House Wine - $12
M’tucci’s Moderno - Half Price Shrubs
The patio is open at M’tucci’s Moderno, perfect for Happy Hour, Sunsets and Moonrise.
M’tucci’s Family Gallery
Amanda Romero, Manager at M’tucci’s Moderno. Fred Gallegos, Manager at M’tucci’s Italian Market & Pizzeria, Chris O’Sickey, Partner/General Manager at M’tucci’s Italian.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
M’tucci’s Italian - Prix Fixe Wednesday - Three courses paired with three wines for $25 per person.
4/24/19
1st Course - Spinach-Arugula Mix, Market Focaccia, Gorgonzola, Candied Pecans, Granny Smith Apple, Dried French Cherries, Gorgonzola Dressing
2nd Course - Dry Aged Harris Ranch Hanger Steak, Creamy Risotto, Light Tomato-Onion Agridulce, Crispy Shallots-Scallions
3rd Course - Cantaloupe Black Pepper Granita, Sesame Brittle
M’tucci’s Moderno
Thursday - 7:00: Stanlie Kee Live in the Bar
Friday - 8:30: Julian Dossett Live in the Bar
M’Tucci’s Italian Market & Pizzeria
May 31, 6:00pm - 9:00pm: Beer Week - Beer & Food pairing with Dialogue Brewing and M’Tucci’s Market & Pizzeria. Four courses and four beers for $40. Tickets available at the Dialogue Taproom.
MOTHER’S DAY
Sunday, May 12. We’ll open for brunch at 10:00am and announce a few specials soon.
DON’T MISS
M’tucci’s YouTube Channel features videos of craft cocktails, mozzarella being made by hand and some behind the scenes kitchen work.
MONTLY PHOTO CONTEST: Share your photos from M’tucci’s on your Facebook page or on your Instagram feed, use the hashtag #lovemtuccis and you are in the running to win a $50 gift certificate. The winner will be chosen from the three photos with the most likes. The winner will be notified on May 1 and we start all over again. Don’t forget to edit your photos on your phone before posting. Quality counts!!
ONLINE ORDERING & CATERING
Takeout, delivery and catering is easily ordered from our website. Simply go to the page for the restaurant you want and place your order.
Al fresco dining on the Isle of Capri
VISITING ITALY?
Don’t hesitate to ask a question about travel in Italy. I’ve been to several regions and cities and would love to help with travel and dining advice.
NEXT BLOG
The next post will be Thursday, April 25 and every Thursday that follows. Subscribe in the box on the left at the bottom of the page to receive an email when a blog is posted.
