Chef Luke Palladino Cebrates Squash Blossom Season with Complimentary Fiori Di Zucca

Squash blossoms are in bloom! In celebration of the delicate flower’s return, Chef Luke Palladino presents two opportunities to enjoy complimentary samples of Fiori di Zucca at Palladino's on Passyunk (1934 East Passyunk) and Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian Cooking (199 New Road, Central Square, Linwood, NJ). 

Fiori di Zucca, which features locally sourced squash blossoms, is stuffed with sweet corn, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmigiano reggiano, tempura fried and tossed with parmigiano reggiano, chives and parsley. 

"Fiori di Zucca is our most popular antipasto ever,” said Luke. “Italians have fond childhood memories of their Nonna making these in the kitchen. The batter is so light that the flavor of the flower itself really stands out.”

Fiori di Zucca is now back on the menu while supplies last at both restaurants ($12.00/order). Enjoy two opportunities to sample this must-try dish. Details are below: 

1) Palladino's on Passyunk 
Squash Blossom Happy Hour
(Reservations/info: 267-928-4339)

Starting today, through June 5, 2015, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, enjoy complimentary samples of Fiori di Zucca when you join chef for happy hour. As a special pairing, chef will also offer a complimentary taste of Limonata. 

Limonata is one of several new cocktails to debut on a new drink menu at Palladino's later in the month. This thirst-quenching cocktail features Limoncello, Bombay Gin, St. Germaine, lemon, simple syrup and club soda. 

2) Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian Cooking 
Annual Squash Blossom Party
(Reservations/info: 609-926-3030)

Celebrate the return of squash blossoms at the shore on Monday, June 8th. Dinner guests will receive a complimentary tasting of Fiori di Zucca AND a complimentary glass of prosecco. Available during dinner hours which are 5:00pm to 10:00pm.

ABOUT CHEF LUKE PALLADINO

Chef Luke Palladino is a graduate of the esteemed Culinary Institute of Aemrica (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY and spent many years living and cooking in Italy. From 1997 to 1999, Palladino was executive chef and partner at Venice’s internationally celebrated Ristorante al Covo. Prior to his time at al Covo, Chef Palladino immersed himself in the culture and cuisine of Italy’s varied regions, spending time at restaurants in Rome, Piemonte, Puglia, Fruili, Sicily and Tuscany.

In the United States, Chef Palladino has worked with some of the country’s most respected culinary talent, including Paul Bertolli Jeremiah Towers, Emeril Lagasse and Todd English. Currently, Chef Palladino owns and operates Luke Palladino Hospitality Group, Altantic City, NJ.

Philadelphia Theater: Philadelphia Artists' Collective Brings Classic Pirate Tale to Stage with The Fair Maid of the West

Pirates, barmaids, swashbucklers ho! Philadelphia Artists’ Collective presents Thomas Heywood’s The Fair Maid of the West from April 1-18, 2015 at Broad Street Ministry (315 S. Broad Street). Guts and glory storm the stage in full leather boots in this sweeping adventure tale of sublime silliness. Join us for dashing heroes, treacherous villains, plucky heroines and love on the high seas!

This English Renaissance comedy, dating back to 1631, uproots traditional gender roles of the early Modern Period as a barmaid with a heart of gold wields a sword, outwits her enemies, and becomes a pirate queen. 

Charlotte Northeast directs a stellar cast lead by Barrymore Award winner Rachel Camp as Bess, the Fair Maid of the West who will stop at nothing to be with Adam Altman's Spencer.  There's love, danger and enough buffoonery to warm any heart.

Tickets are $20 (general admission) and $15 (with student identification) and available by visiting www.philartistscollective.org.

ABOUT PAC

Philadelphia Artists' Collective is dedicated to creating unique theatrical events that celebrate our humanity: through the lens of rare classical theatre, and through multidisciplinary collaboration. We stage our plays with engaging and visceral clarity, presenting classical stories full of human complexity that bring audiences to the edge of their seats. By collaborating with artists from other disciplines we seek to encourage the development of a common vocabulary, and to promote arts awareness in the Philadelphia community.

Founded in 2008 by Damon Bonetti and Dan Hodge, the PAC’s first evenings were staged readings of plays. Since then, we have presented six full productions: John Webster’s Duchess of Malfi (2010), Pierre de Marivaux’ Changes of Heart (Spring 2012), August Strindberg’s Creditors (Fall 2012), Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens (Spring 2013), Eugene O’Neill’s The Sea Plays (Fall 2013), and Friedrich Schiller’s Mary Stuart (Spring 2014).