Panettone is traditional Italian Christmas cake and we have it in spades. Never before have we carried so many varieties: Loison, Rustichella d'Abruzzo, Perugina, Le Logge, Colavolpe, Sclafani and Bindi are our brands this season. We have mini's, one-pounders, one kilogram panettone and all the various flavored panettone from Rustichella. You may notice the absence of Le Tre Marie brand panettone. Quick story: after we ordered hundreds of Tre Marie panettone last year - as we've done for several years - we noticed the same panettone at a locally based, big-box warehouse retailer whose name rhymes with "frostco". No sense competing with those guys so we searched for a new relationship and found Loison. As one 80 year old customer said: "Loison is the best panettone I've ever had." He's right! Pandoro is the elegant pound cake-like cake from Italy. Traditionally served dusted with powdered sugar, this lift cake is wonderful when grilled and served with coffee. We offer Loison's perfect example of this Italian favorite.

Le Logge Panforte is also available again this season here at DeLaurenti. Panforte ("strong bread") is a dense cake of fall spices, almonds, honey, molasses, etc. which traditionally hails from Siena, Italy. We're proud to offer several brands, including Panforte by the pound. Panforte is perfect with coffee or stronger cheeses. Fruitcake candied fruits are available as well. For over 60 years, DeLaurenti has been the Seattle source for fruitcake ingredients. We even have hard-to-find candied citron (both whole and diced) which will really set your cake apart from your neighbor's.

Carsten's Lübecker Marzipan, in many, many forms, makes its seasonal return as well. Lübecker (from the town of Lübeck) Marzipan is famous for its uncompromising quality. 70% marzipan paste and 30% sugar and that's it - nothing else. This is Germany's finest. While we're on German candy, let's see what Kinder has in store for us this Christmas....

You know Kinder Eggs. Well they make so many more little surprises for the children including chocolate Santas, ornaments and even huge eggs. Check out our Kinder wall for some unique stocking stuffers.

On a completely different note, we proudly sell Macrina Stuffing Mix for your special meal. As expected, Leslie Mackie only uses the finest ingredients for her one-of-a-kind stuffing. The best part is you don't need a bird to prepare it. In a pan and in the oven and you're set.

Finally, we have gift boxes available for the perfect hostess gift. One box features Sapori di Napoli Girelli Pasta and our very own Sugo della Casa Pasta Sauce. Our other box features our hand selected Umbrian Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Anyone can bring a bottle of wine but it takes someone special to bring DeLaurenti branded products to the party!

One or two more things: we have whole fillet bacalao (salted cod) as well as Molinari Coteghino and Biroldo (blood sausage) for those who remember how to prepare them. If you can't remember, read our recipe pages for some traditional ideas.

Lots of seasonal cheeses are now available in the deli including Mini Stiltons (7-8 pound masterpieces in blue), Grafton Truckles (2 pound, cloth-wrapped cheddars from Vermont) and my favorite: Tomme Jura. Tomme Jura is our long-searched for replacement of Vecherin Mont d'Or. The Mont d'Or is extinct in the US because it's made with raw milk and while the Jura is pasteurized cow's milk, the flavor is powerful and long lasting - just like the Mont d'Or. Finally, we have plenty of Teleme Cheese for your Christmas Eve polenta and sauce - grandma will be happy. You probably knew we make our own Truffle Butter and Porcini Butter. We have plenty to baste what's coming out of the oven or to sauté your veggies. Try sautéing your mushrooms in Truffle Butter next time and see how the crowd reacts...

Below is a list of special cooking and product demonstrations taking place over the next couple of weeks here at the store. Print it out and tape it to your bathroom mirror so as not to forget...

Olio Novello is literally "new oil" from Italy. We have the freshly pressed oils flown over to the store so we can taste these amazing oils just days after they're created. Below you will see a list of dates and events around this annual Italian tradition. Don't miss your chance to try these oils as fresh as they can be (outside Italy)...

December 17th 12-2pm - Ethan Stowell of Union, Tavolata, Anchovies & Olives and How to Eat a Wolf will grace us with his culinary skills. He'll be working with a Tuscan olio novello, Olio Verde. This dense, cloudy oil is not to be missed.

Saturday December 19th 10-12pm - Armandino Batali of Salumi presents in only the manner he can, Tenuta di Capezzana's Olio Novello.

Saturday December 19th 12-2pm - Renee Erickson of Boat Street Cafe is on the docket as we explore Olio Verde's novello once again.

Tuesday December 22nd 2-4pm - Jeff Bergman presents perhaps the best oil in the world, Laudemio. Laudemio is great on a normal day but the novello version is life-changing.

Who likes Candy?
Did you know the average person gains only one pound each holiday? Why not offer up a few ounces to sweets this year? We are happy to present the following demos focused exclusively on confections...

December 21st 12-2pm - Maria of Curio Confections will show off her beautiful and elegant marshmallows, brittles and madeleines.

December 23rd 1-3pm - Confectionately Yours will grace us with yet another demo of their toffee - the best toffee you've ever had. Period.

We are very proud to offer some unique, small grower Champagnes this time of year. Try the Marc Hebrart Brut or the Gaston Chiquet 'Tradition' Brut. Both are superb examples of correct Champagne. We even have several of them in half-bottles to leave for Santa by the fire. Bruno Giacosa Barbera d'Alba is one of the greatest Barbera's in Italy. At half its regular price, it's now the greatest Barbera in Seattle. Check it out upstairs in our wine shop.

Upcoming Tastings:
December 19th 2-4pm - We'll taste Italian Wines from Dalla Terra. Please join us while we enjoy a Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, a Chianti and a unique Carmenere from the Veneto. The unmistakable Naomi Smith will be pouring.

DeLaurenti chef Garrett Abel, with a literary gun to his head, created this recipe as the ideal platform for the 2009 Ponticelli Olio Novello. The underlying starch and pork really show off the grassy, fresh extra virgin olive oil. This makes for a wonderful first course paired with an indigenous sangiovese such as Rossosole.