Hosting a party? Shop local!

During the holiday season, one of the challenges is feeding your guests, even if it’s just a cocktail party. Unlike my mother who insisted everything be homemade, I'm grateful to carry out from local restaurants and specialty shops.

One place to begin is Touch of Italy, which has locations in Lewes and Rehoboth. I buy mozzarella, homemade at the Lewes location, then roast my own tomatoes and garlic, and pick up a baguette. The Antipasti Della Casa and Garlic Cheese Bread from the Rehoboth store are quite hearty. No time to make a fresh pasta salad? Take a look at the catering menus at both locations.

On the day after Thanksgiving, I needed to feed lunch to the family members who came to help decorate the tree. I ordered six different large subs from Casapulla’s in the Lighthouse Plaza near Giant on Route 1. I cut them into halves so everyone could sample what they liked. My husband’s favorite sub was called Old School, and it contained sweet soppressata, sharp provolone, capicola and prosciutto. My sister-in-law Rene, who missed the Thanksgiving feast, ordered the Turkey Stuffer sub, which was truly stuffed with roasted turkey, mayo, savory stuffing and whole cranberries. I snuck the other half, and oh my, was it good!

When I visit Nectar in downtown Lewes, I order the quinoa salad, which is a tasty dish with feta cheese. I often purchase a couple of containers to go. Nectar also offers a generous salad sampler with three selections, your choice, of beet salad, chicken salad, egg salad or hummus. Order the citrus salmon for all of your guests if your budget allows.

We love the pizza from Crust and Craft, but they also serve great appetizers, such the wood-fired spinach dip and the house-made ricotta. You’ve enjoyed bagels from Surf Bagel, but did you know their shrimp salad is always available in the deli case to go? My guests rave about it!

Finally, the pièce de résistance is Patty’s specialty store. Her motto is “Serving food from subs to the sublime.” Many of you might recall Patty Jacobs had a store in Georgetown for over 10 years and added a second location in Lewes where Half Full used to be. In March 2020, she moved to Hazzard’s Auto Repair complex on Savannah Road in Lewes.

Patty said, “My love of food began at an early age, helping my Italian grandmother in her vegetable garden and later helping my mother in her restaurant and catering facility.”

There is no better chicken salad on the planet! She offers two kinds, one traditional and one with granny smith apples and currants. They may seem a bit pricey, but trust me, they are worth every penny. Pick up a carryout menu or ask to be placed on her daily email specials list where you may be tempted to purchase from among more than two dozen items, such as polpette (Italian meatloaf) with mashed potatoes and buttered peas.

Patty explained, “I want my customers to know that they can have an impromptu gathering. They don’t need to worry. They can stop by anytime to purchase a variety of cheeses, pasta salads, homemade dips, salsas, olives, nuts and even cocktail mixers.”

Patty’s is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Go to pattysdeli.net.

I love to entertain, and I appreciate all the help I can get. If your budget allows, support local businesses so everybody wins!