Roughly one quarter of Long Island’s total population is of Italian descent, and this week, Long Island's entire Italian community will be flocking to the market for all of the necessary fixings for Christmas Eve's celebratory La Vigilia dinner, known by many as the Feast of Seven Fishes. Christmas Eve is known as the Vigil, which precedes the midnight hour that celebrates the birth of Christ. The custom of this dinner is widely practiced among families of Italian heritage. The notion of fish and seafood dishes accommodates the Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat consumption until the official start of Christmas Day when the church bells toll the midnight hour. The designated seven fishes represent the seven sacraments, but larger family gatherings push the menu beyond the constraints of seven, serving anywhere from nine up to thirteen or even more additional seafood selections. The meal also includes pasta dishes, risottos, salads, anti pasta delicacies and festive desserts. Most Italian-American families still practice this old holiday epicurean custom, and the tradition commences with lengthy lines on all departments of Long Island's most prominent Italian market.
Founded by Philip Del Prete, the premier Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace store opened in 1998 in East Meadow. Now boasting five locations, Uncle Giuseppe's presents a feast for all senses from the first aromatic traces that waft into the parking lot. Entering the doors into one of these markets is an exercise in aromatic therapy as tantalizing scents from the delicatessen, bakery and prepared food departments assail shoppers' nostrils. Ears perceive the familiar melodies of Italian musical strains, and the eyes are treated to a visual potpourri of gourmet extravagance artfully arranged in every direction. Taste buds are satiated with samples offered throughout the market. The stores were designed to recreate a European marketplace with individual departments that specialize in all facets of culinary magic. Once your senses are captivated, your mood is lifted and you are teleported to a haven of Old World Italian shopping with modern indulgence and abundance.
The deli is reminiscent of an Italian pork store, with logs of cured meats suspended from above those individuals behind the counter who thinly slice prosciutto with razor sharp precision. The deli creates it's own sopressata, and an expansive display of unique and enticing colorful salads and hot and cold entrees beckons browsers with hungry palates. Those who are cooking-challenged can opt out of the culinary phase by purchasing premium quality prepared foods. Flanking one end of the deli counter stands a brick oven that churns out pizzas and paninis. Be sure to pause along the lengthy olive bar, where dozens of varieties of the tasty orbs glisten.
A pasta department offers a full view of its staff, bustling like Santa's elves as they conjure a variety of fresh pastas on the premises. Boxes of ravioli and tortellini with unique fillings line the refrigerated shelves, and an impressive array of long and short pastas are available as well. Unusual dry pastas may be located in the Italian ingredient aisle, where you will also find a sizable selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars as well as such jarred ingredients as sun-dried tomatoes, pignoli nuts and artichoke hearts.
The cheese department showcases over a hundred varieties from the entire world of cheese-producing nations, including such imported Italian favorites as Gorgonzola, Provolone, Fontina, Asagio, Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano, while fresh mozzarella is produced on site, often still warm when harvested off of the display table.
The produce section is a visual cornucopia, brimming with colorful peppers, tomatoes and fruits, and the fresh verdure of basil and broccoli rabe. The butcher shop offers the finest cuts of marbled meats, and the grocery aisles fulfill your canned tomato, spice and baking ingredient needs.
The primary purpose of the Feast of Seven Fishes can be taken care of in the fish and seafood department. Like the open-air markets of Europe's fishing harbors, a variety of shrimp, scallops, oysters, clams, crabs and mussels are on display in aisle bins, awaiting the shoppers' personal selection. Under the counter glass lay rows of filets, fish steaks, salt cod and piles of the requisite calamari. The fish department also makes plenty of prepared dishes to expand your Christmas Eve menu without extra toiling in your own kitchen.
The crowning finish to every meal comes from the bakery, where luscious cakes and pastries are baked on premises along with ciabatta and other Italian breads. Uncle Giuseppe's bakers produce cannolis, donuts, apple fritters and a host of seasonal Italian sweet treats. For the little ones with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, wander over to the candy counter and chocolatier, where chocolate fountains flow, chocolate holiday figures in all sizes adorn the display table and a rainbow of gelato flavors encourage an on the spot indulgence. For those in need of a mid-shopping spree pick me up, follow your nose along the scented trail of freshly brewed java at the espresso bar.
A shopping experience in Uncle Giuseppe's market is unparalleled for variety when it comes to Italian gastronomic delights. This is the one-stop shopping excursion for all of your edible necessities. Be prepared for crowds. The astounding assortment of foods and ingredients have rendered Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace the most coveted source for Christmas Eve dinner planning among Italian descendants as well as worshippers of Italian fare who have embraced the annual tradition with open arms and awaiting plates. Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace is located in East Meadow, Smithtown, Port Washington, Massapequa and Port Jefferson. Visit www.uncleg.com for store hours, directions, sales circulars and information regarding catering and special ordering.
Buon appetito, buon Natale, Merry Christmas to all!