Words by Pat Eggleton
Have you ever been served, in Italy, a plate of those delightful, small appetisers called “stuzzichini”? Have you then wished that you could serve some of these at home? Now you can, as Gela Frozen Foods, an Italian company with a head office in London, brings “stuzzichini culture” to the UK.
Gela Frozen foods was established in Ascoli Piceno [Marche] in 1986 with the aim of adapting the traditional food of the region to modern needs and habits by producing a range of frozen appetisers.
The company quickly grew and its leading product is the famous “oliva ascolana” [Ascoli olive] which is stuffed, breaded and fried. Traditionally olive all’ascolana are stuffed with a mixture containing minced beef but Gela Frozen Food also produces breaded olives filled with chicken, fish and cheeses so there is something for everyone here. The olives come ready to fry without being defrosted.
Other delicious products produced by the company include their moreish “cremini dorati” , “custard cubes” based on crema pasticcera or confectioner’s custard. These are described as having both a sweet and a savoury taste. Then there are “pranzotti”, which are small pastries filled with tomato and mozzarella or ham and mushrooms, two types of “fritto misto” - one containing breaded courgettes, cauliflower florets and artichokes and the other a “Napoli” mixture - and “supplì a pera a sugo” [pear shaped “balls” filled with rice, meat, peas and mozzarella].
The range includes “arancini” [filled rice balls] and “gran cocchè” [half-moon- shaped potato croquettes].
There are also “filetti di baccalà pastellati” [breaded cod fillets] and “cischetti”, those breaded sticks filled with mozzarella that are so hard to stop eating when they come with a plate of appetisers in a bar. These are only a few examples of the company’s varied range.
The company’s bywords are tradition, passion, excellence and professionalism and these qualities are reflected in every stage of production, from the selection of raw materials to the freezing process to delivery. No genetically modified products are used and the company’s freezing method preserves the nutritional elements of the food. The company uses safe ingredients which carry the European Certification of Health.
It is possible that you have already tasted some of Gela Frozen Food’s products for they have been available in the UK, USA and Europe for some time at wedding receptions, other celebrations, at corporate events and in restaurants and hotels. Now the company is producing some packs for the home consumer and will even deliver, in the UK, within 72 hours of receiving an order on their website.
You know you like “stuzzichini” so why not order some from Gela Frozen Foods today?
