Summer is here, and it’s time to celebrate! It’s the perfect season for all your picnics, outdoor parties, or simple get-togethers with friends on the patio. Discover our Deli category for pica-pica or little bites that will go with cold beer or nice wine that you can enjoy in this warm and welcoming weather. Whether you are preparing for an elaborate party or an impromptu gathering, these ideas will make you life easier for you, and guarantee that you and your guests have a good time. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare these cocktail treats:

Spanish chorizo - make thin, diagonal slices and serve, fry lightly with some olive oil.

Burgundy snails - bake at 210 °C / 410 °F for 9-11 minutes, serve hot with a dry white wine.

Seafood mini samosas - bake at 210 °C / 410 °F for 15-20 minutes or fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Zucchini, tomato, goat cheese tart - bake the tart at 250 ° C / 475 ° F for 9-13 minutes, let cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.

We have our great selection of high quality frozen fruits and vegetables that some of you loyal customers also know from Icebox, but did you know that frozen fruits and vegetables can be better than fresh ones?

Here are the advantages:

More nutrients and flavor - Fruits and vegetables are frozen when they are at their ripest. When they are flash-frozen right after harvest, and on premises at -20°C, the most amount of nutrients and flavors are preserved. Compare that to fresh broccoli, for example. Once it is cut, it sits in storage, transport, and supermarket displays for several days or even weeks. During that time, all the flavor and nutrients are fading fast. That is why the quality of frozen fruits and vegetables compared to store-bought fresh produce is better.

Longer shelf life - As long as the temperature is kept consistent in the freezer (i.e, little thawing and freezing cycles), frozen fruits and vegetables can last for several months, unlike fresh ones that have to be consumed within a few days.

Best value - For the flash-freezing process, fruits and vegetables are harvested when they are in season and therefore in abundance, which provides the best value for money.

If you want to know more on the studies on frozen vs. fresh food, here are a few links on this topic:

- United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

- Daily Mail