By 4 Squares Residential Group with Judi McLaughlin of Judi 411 Writing Services
Food is love, and Deano's Pasta has all the fixings for feeding your family this Valentine's Day (and beyond!). We interviewed Hala Matarazzo of Deano's to learn more about the family business and her Medford connections. Warning: you'll be hungry by the end of this interview!
Tell us about Deano's Pasta and how customers can indulge in your fabulous pastas and sauces.
We're one of the oldest fresh pasta companies in the country – founded in 1947 by Deano Matarazzo, grandfather of my husband, Dean, and for almost 75 years, we've been working with chefs at hundreds of restaurants who serve our pastas and sauces. We often tell people, "You've probably already had Deano's Pasta and not known it!"
The beauty of Deano's Pasta is that families can make a restaurant-quality meal right in their own homes. Just boil water!
We craft all of Deano's Pasta from our signature 100% semolina dough, a generations-old recipe. Our pastas and sauces are all-natural, non-GMO, locally handcrafted, and hand-packed to ensure the highest quality. We also carry gluten-free Pasta and many vegan-friendly products such as purple-carrot dried pasta and cauliflower gnocchi.
Many Medford residents visit us at our Pasta Shop in Somerville, which is on the grounds of our FDA-approved factory, just off Mystic Avenue over the Medford line. We make all of our pasta and sauces on the premises and distribute to restaurants across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire.
Within Medford, you can swing by LaCascia's Bakery Deli & Bakery, which sells and serves Deano's Pasta, or Bob's Food, which serves our Pasta on their menu. And if you find yourself in another town and craving Deano's for dinner, check out the list of specialty stores on our website and grab the fixings for a quick, easy, delicious meal!
In the warmer weather, be sure to check us out at the Medford Farmers Market from June until October. My biggest tip: Get to the market early! We bring limited quantities of Pasta and sauce and often sell out!
Finally, for those who may not be able to get out and about to try our products, home delivery from food delivery services such as Market2Day, Holden Produce, and Mass Food Delivery have been carrying our products throughout the pandemic. Whole Foods in Medford carries our Pasta for Prime Delivery as well.
With Valentine's Day around the corner, the tradition of a romantic dinner at a restaurant may not be an option for everyone. What are some of your favorite Deano's combinations for creating a dinner at home for your Valentine?
Valentine's Day is an excellent opportunity to try some of our winning pasta-sauce pairings. Some of Deano's Fans Favorites include:
Lobster Ravioli with Limoncello Cream Sauce: A decadent dish that's sure to win hearts, our plump ravioli is stuffed with 100% real lobster meat with a touch of ricotta and a dash of salt and black pepper, and the creamy Limoncello sauce is a perfect complement.
Eggplant Ravioli or Stuffed Shells with Marinara Sauce: Customers tell us that our Eggplant Ravioli with Deano's Marinara tastes just like Eggplant Parmesan in a bowl! Or try the pillowy stuffed shells with Marinara for an old-school Italian meal.
Fig and Mascarpone Ravioli with Onesto Cream Sauce: A sweeter dish, the combination of figs and mascarpone and the creamy, buttery Onesto Cream Sauce are a sure-fire way of showing your love to your special someone.
There are so many possibilities that it's hard to choose, but folks can also visit the Pairing Guide and Recipes tabs on our website for inspiration.
While you're a Somerville-based business, your family has lived in Medford for generations. What do you love about Medford?
Yes, the Matarazzo family has lived in Medford since the 1940s. We've loved growing up and living here, and we're proud to say that our children are now fourth-generation Medfordians!
What I love so much about Medford is the community; dedicated community. Neighbors watch out for each other both in-person and online. For example, someone posted on the Everything is Free Medford Facebook Page that their bike was stolen, and within minutes, someone offered them a replacement bike...TO KEEP! The kindness and generosity that people display toward one another is awesome. I feel so lucky to live here around warm, supportive people.
There are so many resources at our disposal too. My favorite, the Medford Family Network (MFN) is a lifesaver for families with small kids. Playgroups, Coffee Talks for Parents (with childcare!), and events throughout the summer make it easy for kids (and parents!) to make long-lasting friendships and build their own community.
As a business owner, I also appreciate the enthusiasm and commitment Medford residents show for shopping locally. Residents were very committed to attending the Farmers Market at the Condon Shell this summer, even during the pandemic. There's so much good energy here for the shops, restaurants, and bakeries throughout the city.
What do you love about your Medford home/neighborhood?
We live in North Medford, steps away from the Middlesex Fells and a short walk to Wright's Pond, two beautiful areas to visit throughout the year. I love that we are so accessible to the highway and close to Boston. At the same time, we enjoy a suburban feel because our street and neighborhood are very quiet. There are so many playgrounds and parks throughout the city; so much green space to enjoy!
What would you tell someone who is thinking about making a move to Medford?
Well, from a food standpoint, you'll be well-fed in Medford! In Medford Square, we have authentic Mexican food at Tenoch, Indian food at Zam-Zam, Japanese food at Blue Fuji, or good homestyle cooking from Simple Fare when you need a break from the stove. And of course, for those craving Italian food, there’s Nappi’s and Bocelli’s.
I also love the diversity here. My neighbors are from all parts of the world and walks of life. Our family has friends from different cultures and religions, so we get a taste of the larger world by living here. I can't imagine living anywhere else!
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Enjoy Deano's Pasta 7 days a week! Stop in and stock up at the Pasta Shop, located at 15 Garfield Avenue in Somerville, just past the Medford line off Mystic Avenue, with plenty of off-street parking. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 3pm. Be sure to tell Deano's that 4Squares Residential Group sent you!
If you're interested in more conversations with great Medford neighbors, or getting monthly community info - sign up for the 4Squares Medford Newsletter!
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