Dry Cows

Tandy is awesome. She found out about the cows' accents and all sorts of weird stuff. Even though I laughed out loud, then shuddered at her gimp dungeon, I love how her mind works. Funny how she wrote about cows this week. Cows are on our minds as of late. I am sure it is inevitable with the approach of spring. We are all gearing up for the onslaught of work and itching for the new stuff to come in. We are planning our schedules and Dan mentions that we have a problem. Our awesome dairy herd is having problems. What!?!?! Well, it seems that when you are as picky as we are and our standards are as high as they are, you tend to limit your options. We love this milk. We love those cows. We love that farmer. It seems that he has a lot of dry cows. Dry cows? What are those you ask. Well, they are dairy cows who are not producing milk. It's normal for him and the girls, but scary for us. He only has around 50 bovines. This is a problem. He is on it! He promised. Mark is not only a dairy farmer, but a vet. These cows are loved. Look at him and the love!

Just as Dan and I were discussing this, Ian, our farmer's son, and an outstanding farmer in his own right, just stopped by. We talked about getting old and shared some old pics. We talked about how this winter will never end and how much we are looking forward to spring. He needs the ground to thaw and I need the warmth in order to save my sanity. Just ask my husband. I know I am nuts, it is part of my charm. Ian and his lovely girl Barbie just want to get the leeks out of the ground and start the work. This led to "Steph, what do you want me to grow for you? I have some really interesting green cardamom leaves that I want you to try." Oh man, are you in trouble!! I will take those leaves and get to work! They look waxy and tough. Ian assures me that the flavor is easy to extract. Okay! It looks purdy. see?

What about wild fennel??? The purple kind? Absolutely!! Ian just needs the seeds. I have got connections. I got yer back. I told him that it is great for sausage and Marc Vetri will take some. He does not know it yet. I will let him know. What about Camomille? Hmmmm? Oh, so many ideas. Ian wants to know if want lemongrass. Yes, please.

People, spring is HERE! I know it. It has to be. Let's all join hands and will it to happen. We need the warmth, we need the grass to grow, we need the cows to begin producing, we need onion grass for the cows (the love it!), we need the happiness. WE NEED GELATO! I love the winter flavors, but I want something new. I want some wild fennel with...with...with....chocolate? Ricotta? Is that too savory? I am going to make my own Ricotta. Yup. Close your eyes, can you taste it?

Chilly? We Got Some Stuff That'll Warm You Up...

Let Capogiro Warm You Up from Capogiro Gelato on Vimeo.

GROUNDHOG v. WOODCHUCK

I force my kids to listen to my music and/or NPR every morning. Yes, I am THAT person. I feel that my kids should be exposed to independent, non-mainstream music and know the current events. I do not feel the least bit bad about this. My kids may not be able to have a debate with you discussing the merits of healthcare or why the Devil Makes Three has not hit it bigtime, but they are aware. This is more than I can say about that American Idol tart. Don't send me hate mail. No one can deny how scary that is. I digress....do over.

This morning I was driving in listening to WXPN, which is one of the best stations in the country. Between the incredible music being played, a discussion of Goundhog Day occurred, of course. Apparently, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and we will have 6 more weeks of winter. He described the scene that he witnessed on the morning television programming as this and I paraphrase, "A scared rodent surrounded by some drunk college students and a few reporters desperately trying to do their best Bill Murray impersonation." I find this description hilarious. I am a big fan of the movie Groundhog Day. They went on to say that they preferred the name woodchuck to groundhog. What?!? Come to think of it...I prefer woodchuck!

Six more weeks of winter. I am not sure I can handle it. Phil is a rodent. I don't really like rodents. Ah well...

On a lighter note, expose your kids to good music. I took my kids to see this band at WXPN's venue and my nine year old danced behind our table.

Chilly, Philly? Come let us warm you up...

The recent chill that has taken the whole city by it's mittens has put me in quite a mood about things. Often leaving me alone by enticing me to leaving my house as little as possible, and even when I do have the unfortunate task of shuttling myself around the city, I do so completely isolated from humanity. Mostly by the 3 layers of sweaters, the coat, the hat, the scarf and the gloves, but also because I can make it all the way up Walnut street with barely noticing a sole. That's due, in part, to the streets being almost entirely bare, aside from the quick moving, agitated 9-5 commuters, but also because the simple act of looking up, to maybe nod at a fellow person and smile, leaves you entirely open to the possibility of a wind gust watering your eyes and making the whole thing just so truly unpleasant. This has left me praying for summer's humanity friendly warmth to get here as quickly as it can. However, that time is still months away, until then, I beg you to fret not my fellow frozen Philadelphians, and let Capogiro warm up your day.

Yes, I know, you know we sell the most magnificent gelato. But do you know of the other things we sell that are equally as magnificent? Let's start easy and wean you away from our frozen delicacy. Have you ever tried an Affogato? It's a scoop of gelato of your choice, with a shot of espresso. Ok, easy right? How about a Gelato Con Brioche?! That's a scoop of gelato on a toasted sweet bread with sugar. Yum! Ok, let's step away from gelato for a second. You must know by now that we sell soup, right? My favorite is the Cream of Tomato (I have that with the pressed Formaggio or, cheese, panini), but we also have Chili, Lentil, Aqua Cotta... You get it. If that doesn't settle you, our hot drink menu should! Aside from our famous cappuccinos (seriously, I can't work one shift without someone telling me that it's the best cappuccino they've had in the city), we make the most brilliant Mochas and Hot Chocolates I have EVER had. It's the chocolate we use. It's amazing. And it's a "family" secret. Oh, and don't forget to get a pastry warmed up with your drink. I love our Almond croissants, and when they're warmed up they are to die for. No lie. I would consider it. Back to the gelato for a second, if you ever see "Chocolato Mexicano", or spicy chocolate, on our daily flavor list (it's been at 13th a lot lately), just know that could warm up a family of 4 with a single sample.

I think you get the point already. So come in! Look another human being in the eye, and just relax for a bit with the warmer side of Capogiro.

Blood Orange Juice: A Love Story

Blood Orange Juice from Capogiro Gelato on Vimeo.

Why the Wintertime Isn't That Bad

The wintertime, albeit cold and miserable, is a special time that offers its own unique gifts. Here's just a few:

Persimmon sorbetto! It doesn't get any better than this, people. It's hard to believe it's dairy free. They're a peculiar fruit, looking like a squat orange tomato. Did you know Mitchell, Indiana has an annual Persimmon Festival? Wild! Maybe I can save up my tips for a field trip to the Midwest.

Blood Orange sorbetto! (See previous blog entry. Enough said...)

King Leo Stracciatella! Classic Italian chocolate chip gelato with fresh peppermint and hand-crushed peppermint candies. One of our more labor-intensive flavors, but well worth it! It may make an encore appearance by popular demand before winter is through. (Hint hint: call us and ask for it!)

I know, I know, you're asking yourself "Frozen treats in the winter?" Pish posh, lucky for you we keep it a cozy 71° inside our cafes.

Hot Apple Cider! Locally pressed, of course. Spiked with Vietnamese Cinnamon and steamed ever so delicately by your loving barista.

Mochas! We serve this chocolatey espresso drink year-round, but it's more fun to drink them during the cold, dark days. Don't forget a generous dollop of whipped cream!

Soup! Our homemade peasant-style soup is one of the best parts of working for Capo. With an ever-changing variety of hearty freshly made soups, lunch is never boring!

Roots and rituals.

How was the holiday? Does your arm hurt from all that Wii action? Are your pants a liiiiiiittle tight this morning??? Mine sure are! I destroyed every hollowed out loaf of bread with spinach dip inside it from here to the Alleghenies.
We spent the weekend in West Virginia (save your kissing cousin cracks; I've heard them all a hundred thousand times before and furthermore, my cousins are for the most part wildly unattractive, overzealous religious fanatics or just totally unkissable...). I love WV in all of it's backwards glory. I love southern foods and traditions (though I hail from ABOVE the Mason Dixon Line) and I'd like to share a tiny piece of my family's heritage with you.

It's my grandmother's (Big Ma's) New Year's Day tradition and she would box my ears from the great beyond if I didn't prepare it annually. Black eyed peas, cabbage, collared greens and cornbread on the first day of every year is said to bring you good luck and prosperity. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with a ceremonial "cleansing" of the system.... but, ummm, thats one of the ritual's "perks".

I steam the greens in a big pot with a giant slab of bacon and force friends and neighbors to indulge. They're generally terrified at first. (Why does cabbage scare people so? It's not as if I'm asking them to eat chitlins and pickled pig's feet, sheesh, grow a pair...). After a few bites the fear dissipates and it's replaced with a newfound addiction to soul food. If you ask me, nothing says "Happy New Year" like black eyed peas and a slab of swine... MAN, I wish we'd make bacon flavored gelato... We ask all the time but, the Reitanos are very ANTI-meat based gelati. Party poopers. ;) Curb your craving with a pint of our Sea Salt Gelato in the meantime, we'll keep begging.

Whatever your traditional or non-traditional New Year's palate requires, I hope it finds you in good health and among family and friends. Happy Holidays, friends and don't worry about the extra pounds. I'd take bacon over a bikini any day.

Winter Wonderland!

This weekend was wonderful. A blanket of snow covered Philadelphia. My kids dove into the snow. As city kids, their snow memories are far different than mine or John's. John grew up in upstate NY where the snow was serious. I grew up on the beaches of New Jersey. Snow covered the joint, but it was usually nothing too serious. My parents would take us to the lone hills in the area and we would sled or tube down. Turkey Swamp Park was the place where we would ice skate and drink hot chocolate. My teen years were filled with football games on the beach with the snow: nice memories. John's winter was filled with snow - he has horror stories regarding the shoveling of his drive as a teen. Very different from snow in Philly.

The kids ran out the house and along with the other kids on the block, tunneled through the brick walks and between the cars. Our dogs tore up and down the block and snowball fights were had using the parked buried cars as cover. We walked a few blocks to view the art museum covered in snow and looking beautiful. A walk to the neighborhood deli to purchase bread and eggnog was fun. The city was quiet wrapped in snow. No buses, no sirens, no crazy people yelling through the streets. Shhhhhhhh, the city begged: it's snowing!

This past Saturday is usually the busiest shopping day of the year. Capogiro was quiet, but those walking in were so appreciative of the warm coffee and soup. Our baristi were happy to see those who ventured out. We did close early: we were worried about everyone getting home safely. For our friends who came out and enjoyed the hot chocolate and gelato, thank you for the company. The city in the winter.

It's the Most Wonderful Time...

The holiday season is truly a wonderful time of year; in fact, I’d have to agree with whoever said that this is the most wonderful time of the year. There are twinkling lights and decorations everywhere, shoppers merrily bustling about and, almost more importantly, something that makes me love holiday time even more: Castagna or Candied Chestnut Gelato. This elusive and tantalizing flavor makes its appearance in our gelato cases every December, but enjoy it while you can because, unfortunately, chestnuts, like Santa himself, don't stay around for long.

This much anticipated (at least by me) seasonal flavor is light in texture but rich in flavor, and is swirled with tons of candied chestnut chunks. It’s like eating a fluffy cloud of sweet deliciousness peppered with yummy bites of velvety nuts - how could you say no? This gelato is so unique in flavor I almost always opt to eat it solo, however, with so many options why chose just one? I like to pair Chestnut with Cioccolato Scuro, but if you prefer things on the more mild side I would calm it down with the green wonder of the gelato case, Pistacchio Siciliano, or Rosemary Honey Goat’s Milk, for an all out holiday feel.

Seriously? Cyber Monday....

I am a horrible mother when I force the kids to listen to NPR in the morning.  Yup, I do. I feel like they should listen to current events and quite honestly, morning radio, other than NPR, is painful for the most part. Too much D.J. talk intended for an R rated crowd. Tho, I’m no prude, but the constant innuendo is not something I can handle explaining to my 9 year old before I’ve have  had coffee...I am running on and on...My point is that the reports this morning about "Cyber Monday" were plentiful. It made me think; "We should let people know, while they are tooling around online instead of working, that we send out gelato!" Who wants an ole fruitcake or a stupid gift basket with mini jars of jam and weenies? Not me: I want real food.

So get your real food right here....$60 plus shipping to anywhere in the continental United States!  Yup, right to your door.

Mascarpone Cheese with Heirloom Apples

If you must, here’s your cheese basket, Italian style! Imported Italian Mascarpone Cheese blended with Heirloom apples from Lancaster County. Heirloom apples are from trees whose seeds are from the late 1700’s.

Pure King Leo Stracciatella 

A gelato with a pedigree: Royalty no less. Hot house Swiss mint from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, infused and blended to make our mint gelato.  As the gelato pours from our batch freezer we mix in dark chocolate and crushed Pure King Leo peppermints.

Cachi (Persimmon)

The Greeks refer to persimmons as “Fruit of the Gods” or “The Wheat of Zeus.” Sometimes they’re even called a “Velvet Apple”. Wait..., VELVET APPLE!!?! Persimmons are slightly spicy and definitely for an adventurous palate. Think about it; Would Zeus want socks and underwear?

Castagne (Chestnut)

Unfortunately we cannot take you to streets of Florence on a crisp winter’s day to have some roasted chestnuts from one of the ubiquitous carts; but we can take hours and hours of our own time to simmer whole chestnuts in sugar and spices. Then we fold them into chestnut  gelato for your quick getaway.

Mandarancio (Clementine)

Sweet little clementines. History tells us that the clementine was an accidental hybrid discovered by Father Clement Rodier in the garden of his orphanage in Misserghin, Algeria. Regardless of its virtuous past, this succulent fruit is more delicious if juiced moments before freezing. So that’s how we do it.

Cioccolato Scuro

Always, the bitter must tame the sweet, or vice-versa. Deep, rich, black gelato to ease all those holiday worries... or fuel the fire. You decide.

Click HERE to order.