Veggie Wednesday: Piccolo Foods

Piccolo Foods new pestos, spreads and tapenades are perfection in a little container. I will free you to read the official press release, but I must tell you that these are absolutely fabulous.

I was able to try Spinach Feta Dip, Artichoke Pesto, Green Olive and Almond Pesto and Green Chili Smoked Gouda Spread, and each one was exactly like homemade; perfectly flavor-balanced, preservative free and organic - which means there was no chemical or 'off' flavors going on at all. I can't count the times I've purchased pre-made pestos and the like and been very disappointed in the mass-produced taste.

The Green Chili and Smoked Gouda Spread and Spinach Feta dip went so fast I was left wishing I had another container. The Gouda Spread was perfect on a toasted bagel as well as with crackers. I used the Artichoke Pesto on fettuccine and it was velvety and smooth and so flavorful. The Green Olive and Almond Pesto was perfect on penne and I even had little ones begging for more. I'll be looking for these to serve on Christmas day - and you should, too!


Piccolo Foods Introduces First Line of Artisanal Pestos, Spreads and Tapenades

New Products Are Designed to Enliven Home-cooked Meals and Entertaining

Lafayette, Colo., Dec. 3, 2008 – Piccolo Foods, a new brand of artisanal, preservative-free dips, pestos, spreads and tapenades, are being introduced in specialty foods markets and grocery stores throughout New York City, New Jersey, Colorado and New Mexico starting today.

Available in 16 varieties, Piccolo Foods’ products are the latest offering from Tellory Inc., the same company that produces the successful Ciolo Foods line of all-natural pestos, spreads and tapenades sold exclusively in Whole Foods Markets.

The Piccolo Foods product line combines healthy, high-quality, sustainably produced ingredients in convenient, recyclable packages. Combinations include Spinach Feta Dip, Artichoke Pesto, Green Olive and Almond Pesto, Green Chili Smoked Gouda Spread, Santa Fe Pimento Cheese, Kalamata Artichoke Tapenade and “Tzing!” a Roasted Asian Eggplant spread.

All products are hand-crafted in the company’s modern and comfortable plant just outside the city of Boulder, Colorado.

"These products are designed to help today's time-constrained home cooks create restaurant-quality meals and parties quickly and inexpensively," said Mallory Kates, who co-founded Piccolo Foods in 2008 with business partner Curt Tellam. "The current economy means that more people will cook and entertain at home, and our products give them a creative shortcut."

The first retailers to carry the Piccolo Foods line include King Soopers in Colorado; Fairway, Zabar’s, Westside Markets, Amish Markets and Zaytuna Market, all in the New York City area; Kings Super Markets in New Jersey and Eldorado Supermarket in New Mexico.

Piccolo's products have a shelf-life of 30 to 60 days and a retail price ranging from 4.99 to $5.99. All Tellory Inc. products are created with a commitment to protecting the environment. The company uses biodegradable plastic containers and has a company-wide recycling program. Serving suggestions and recipes can be found at www.piccolofoods.com.

About Tellory Inc.

Tellory Inc.is a Colorado-based company founded in 2006 as Chello Foods. The company sells its Ciolo line of preservative-free, artisanal pestos, dips and spreads exclusively to more than 100 Whole Foods Markets nationwide. In December 2008, the company launched its second brand, Piccolo Foods, an equally healthy, natural line of hand-crafted tapenades, spreads, dips and pestos, in key U.S. regions. Co-founders Curt Tellam and Mallory Kates take special pride in the fact that they not only source their own ingredients, their company also manufactures every product from its own facility in Boulder County, Colorado.