STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— To my food friends and dear readers: Spring-themed foods and seasonal specialties are already popping up around the Island, despite winter’s grip. It’s that annual slide from Valentine’s Day to Easter, and Staten Island is always a little ahead of the curve.
And for those still buzzing from the Groundhog hoopla? Buckle up, buckeroos. Good news is brewing, and it’s coming straight from the food front.
But here’s what we know for sure: earlier sunrises, later sunsets and the food aisles—that’s the real forecast. No mystery, no superstition. And even though the Groundhog did his little dance, we don’t need his theatrics to see what’s ahead.
It’s the early creme egg season at CVS with Russel Stover leading the pack of chocolate treats. (Staten Island Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Chocolate Egg Season Begins
Chocolate crème-filled eggs are already peeking out in raspberry and coconut crème varieties—the early scouts of candy season, with the Russell Stover brand leading the charge. The classics aren’t far behind: regular and caramel Cadbury-brand Creme Eggs.
Soon the full Easter brigade will march in: peanut-butter M&M Eggs, jelly beans, Robin Egg Whoppers, maybe Brach’s Spring Buddies and definitely yellow and pink Peeps. And those infamous Pancakes-and-Syrup Peeps? We’ll see, my faithful little food friends.
Annadale Bakery at 821 Annadale Rd. rocks the house with an early taste of March traditions, serving up classics that are ready for the eating right now.Annadale Bakery Springs Ahead
At Annadale Bakery, spring starts right now with gusto. The shop has already rolled out its St. Joseph’s Day lineup, with zeppole, sfinge and lobster tails filling the cases long before the holiday crowds arrive. Irish Soda Bread has also made its seasonal debut here, marking the unofficial start of Staten Island’s annual pastry marathon. Annadale Bakery, as always, is first out of the gate, happily setting the pace for spring’s sweetest traditions.
Here’s where to find “spring” in the ShopRite circular this week. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Lent, Sardines, and St. Joseph’s Day
Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 18, and retailers are gearing up for sardine season. ShopRite has early deals on Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks and fillets, while Met Foods is running specials on Beach Cliff sardine four-packs for $5. For Pasta con Sarde, Met continues to stock Cuoco-brand seasoned fish—fennel, raisins and all the Sicilian flavors that make it the go-to shortcut for the classic dish.For the chef-made version, Brioso in New Dorp and Villa Paradiso in Great Kills are already prepared. Bring it on!
The Shamrock Shake Countdown
Spring gets its unofficial green light when McDonald’s rolls out the Shamrock Shake.
According to Sporked.com and Instagram’s @snachwithzach, both the Shamrock Shake and the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry are expected to return Feb. 17, more than a month before St. Patrick’s Day.”
Skeptics are already giving side-eye to shake machines, although many are waiting for a minty cue that the season has turned.
Pancakes are a tradition on the eve of Ash Wednesday, aka Shrove Tuesday. Pameal SilvestriMardi Gras and Pancake Night
St. John’s Lutheran Church will host its Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner on Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at 216 Jewett Ave., Port Richmond. It’s a free-will offering event. Come for the fluffy flapjacks, stay for the community spirit.
Meanwhile, over on the North Shore, the Castleton Avenue crew, including the Clay & Kiln folks, is organizing a Mardi Gras-style neighborhood parade from 4 to 7 p.m. Streets won’t be closed, but expect beads, good vibes, and a little organized chaos.
Spring may still feel far away outside, but inside the New Springville Costco, seedlings, potting soil, Miracle‑Gro, and even early beach‑body equipment are already rolling out for the season.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)What’s Cooking, What’s Growing
At Costco, spring has already sprouted in the garden aisle with seedlings, Miracle-Gro, and hopeful signs of greener days ahead.
On the healthy-ish side, Better Health Gourmet is flipping low-carb quesadillas like it’s their cardio, while Tokyo Sushi is cranking out kimchi in serious volume.
Coming soon: Alfonso’s on Victory will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a festive cookie platter—a sweet nod to the holiday that brings an appetite with it.SilvestriThe North Shore’s Early Spring Rituals
Once Valentine’s Day bows out, West Brighton wastes no time. Beans ‘n’ Leaves starts pouring green lattes; Rana’s aka Silver Lake Bagels roll out their signature green bagels.
Pastosa of West Brighton and A&C Superette are primed for Pizza Rustica—a hearty pre-Lent beauty loaded with salami, salmon, provolone, prosciutto, and ricotta. Grain pies are sure to follow later in the season—typically the week of Palm Sunday through Easter.
And in Oakwood under fairly new stewardship, Novelli’s will bring back its beloved mozzarella bunnies—silky, hand-pulled rabbits with olive eyes and red-pepper noses.
Add it all up and, according to Staten Island food peeps, spring is already in full swing.