Why specialty foods?
Well, it didnt start out as a specialty food company. Marisa is a big fan of salsas. And Paul and the three girls love dipping oils. So Crooked Birch was essentially a salsa and dipping oil company from the start. They didnt even know about the vast specialty food market. Being labeled a specialty food company kind of happened as their product line grew. What does Handmade tastes better. mean? Marisa (Zappacosta) always gives credit to her mom for instilling the idea of cooking fresh. Born and raised in Italy, Marisas mom only knew knew ‘fresh.’ Growing up, it was always Saturday trips to Haymarket in Boston looking for the freshest fish and vegetables, then stops at the butcher shops in the North End to pick out fresh-cut veal and beef. They even made their own pasta, and baked their own bread for Sunday dinners. This is now the philosophy of Crooked Birch. They never add preservatives to their recipes. They use only the freshest possible ingredients. And they make it all handmade. Th
