{"id":121447,"date":"2026-02-03T16:38:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T16:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/121447\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T16:38:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T16:38:09","slug":"spring-on-staten-island-starts-in-the-food-aisle-not-with-the-groundhog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/121447\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring on Staten Island starts in the food aisle\u2014not with the groundhog"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.\u2014 To my food friends and dear readers: Spring-themed foods and seasonal specialties are already popping up around the Island, despite winter\u2019s grip. It\u2019s that annual slide from Valentine\u2019s Day to Easter, and Staten Island is always a little ahead of the curve.<\/p>\n

And for those still buzzing from the Groundhog hoopla?<\/a> Buckle up, buckeroos. Good news is brewing, and it\u2019s coming straight from the food front.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s what we know for sure: earlier sunrises, later sunsets and the food aisles<\/a>\u2014that\u2019s the real forecast. No mystery, no superstition. And even though the Groundhog did his little dance, we don\u2019t need his theatrics to see what\u2019s ahead.<\/p>\n

\"Cadbury\"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<\/p>\n

Chocolate cr\u00e8me-filled eggs are already peeking out in raspberry and coconut cr\u00e8me varieties\u2014the early scouts of candy season, with the Russell Stover brand leading the charge. The classics aren\u2019t far behind: regular and caramel Cadbury-brand Creme Eggs.<\/p>\n

Soon the full Easter brigade will march in: peanut-butter M&M Eggs, jelly beans, Robin Egg Whoppers, maybe Brach\u2019s Spring Buddies and definitely yellow and pink Peeps. And those infamous Pancakes-and-Syrup Peeps? We\u2019ll see, my faithful little food friends.<\/p>\n

\"Annadale
\nAnnadale 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<\/p>\n

At Annadale Bakery, spring starts right now with gusto. The shop has already rolled out its St. Joseph\u2019s 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\u2019s annual pastry marathon. Annadale Bakery, as always, is first out of the gate, happily setting the pace for spring\u2019s sweetest traditions.<\/p>\n

\"CircularsHere’s where to find “spring” in the ShopRite circular this week. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Lent, Sardines, and St. Joseph\u2019s Day<\/p>\n

Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 18, and retailers are gearing up for sardine season. ShopRite has early deals on Mrs. Paul\u2019s 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\u2014fennel, 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!<\/p>\n

The Shamrock Shake Countdown<\/p>\n

Spring gets its unofficial green light when McDonald\u2019s rolls out the Shamrock Shake.<\/p>\n

According to Sporked.com<\/a> and Instagram\u2019s @snachwithzach<\/a>, both the Shamrock Shake and the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry are expected to return Feb. 17, more than a month before St. Patrick\u2019s Day.”<\/p>\n

Skeptics are already giving side-eye to shake machines, although many are waiting for a minty cue that the season has turned.<\/p>\n

\"ShrovePancakes are a tradition on the eve of Ash Wednesday, aka Shrove Tuesday. Pameal SilvestriMardi Gras and Pancake Night<\/p>\n

St. John\u2019s 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\u2019s a free-will offering event. Come for the fluffy flapjacks, stay for the community spirit.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t be closed, but expect beads, good vibes, and a little organized chaos.<\/p>\n

\"SpringSpring may still feel far away outside, but inside the New Springville Costco, seedlings, potting soil, Miracle\u2011Gro, and even early beach\u2011body equipment are already rolling out for the season.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)What\u2019s Cooking, What\u2019s Growing<\/p>\n

At Costco, spring has already sprouted in the garden aisle with seedlings, Miracle-Gro, and hopeful signs of greener days ahead.<\/p>\n

On the healthy-ish side, Better Health Gourmet is flipping low-carb quesadillas like it\u2019s their cardio, while Tokyo Sushi is cranking out kimchi in serious volume.<\/p>\n

\"St.Coming soon: Alfonso\u2019s on Victory will celebrate St. Patrick\u2019s Day with a festive cookie platter\u2014a sweet nod to the holiday that brings an appetite with it.SilvestriThe North Shore\u2019s Early Spring Rituals<\/p>\n

Once Valentine\u2019s Day bows out, West Brighton wastes no time. Beans \u2018n\u2019 Leaves starts pouring green lattes; Rana\u2019s aka Silver Lake Bagels roll out their signature green bagels.<\/p>\n

Pastosa of West Brighton and A&C Superette are primed for Pizza Rustica\u2014a hearty pre-Lent beauty loaded with salami, salmon, provolone, prosciutto, and ricotta. Grain pies are sure to follow later in the season\u2014typically the week of Palm Sunday through Easter.<\/p>\n

And in Oakwood under fairly new stewardship<\/a>, Novelli\u2019s will bring back its beloved mozzarella bunnies\u2014silky, hand-pulled rabbits with olive eyes and red-pepper noses.<\/p>\n

Add it all up and, according to Staten Island food peeps, spring is already in full swing.<\/p>\n