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Escape to Italy at Your Local Freson Bros.
Transport your home to the heart of the Mediterranean this February. A Taste of Italy is your curated passport to the world’s most celebrated flavours, from the buttery richness of the North to the sun-drenched soul of the South.
We’re pulling back the curtain on why Italian quality is world-renowned. Discover why bronze-cut durum wheat pasta, early-harvest olive oil, and volcanic mineral water make such a difference in your kitchen.
Meet the Regions
Northern Italy: Alpine Richness & Elegant Textures
The cooler North inspires hearty, sophisticated dishes. It is home to Grana Padano, a protected origin cheese aged 9–24 months for a nutty, sweet profile. Try it with our Sunday Best Red Wine Braised Short Ribs recipe found in our Meat Department.
Central Italy: The Art of the Pantry
Master the secret of Roman “Pantry Magic”. This region is famous for Bronze-Cut Pastas that feature a rough surface to “grab” your sauce, and Italissima Extra Virgin Olive Oil, harvested early for a robust, peppery finish. Pick up our Classic Cacio e Pepe or Easy Fettuccine Alfredo recipes in the Grocery aisles.
Southern Italy: The Sun-Drenched Soul
The South is the heart of the tomato. Roma Tomatoes here are meatier and less watery, making them the perfect base for our Classic Homemade Marinara. Find the recipe in our Produce departments.
More Ways to Win with Smart Shopper
Bringing the Italian flavours home has never been more rewarding. We are giving away incredible prizes to help you master the art of Italian cooking!
The Grand Prize
One lucky winner will receive the ultimate kitchen upgrade: a KitchenAid® Stand Mixer and a KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set.
PLUS A Winner in Every Store
We are also giving away a $100 Freson Bros. Gift Card to one winner at every single one of our stores.
How to Enter:
Shop
Purchase any participating “Taste of Italy” product between February 6 and March 5.
Enter
Ensure to enter your Smart Shopper number at the till.
WIN
You are automatically entered for a chance to win both the Grand Prize and your local store prize!
Experience Italy in the Aisles
Every Friday in February from 2pm to 6pm in the Butcher Shop
We will be frying up our in-store made Italian Sausage for you to sample. It’s the perfect way to kick off your weekend and taste the fresh, savoury quality that Freson Bros. is known for.
Simple Recipes, Professional Results
Look for our Home Cooking Recipes throughout the store. These are designed to help you use our premium Italian imports to create “WOW” meals with minimal effort, from a busy family dinner to a romantic Valentine’s feast.
All You Can Eat Italian Feast
Saturday, February 14 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Spend your Valentine’s evening with the people you love and a meal you’ll adore.
On Saturday, February 14, from 4pm to 8pm, join us for an All-You-Can-Eat Italian Feast that celebrates the very best of tradition and flavour.
We are serving up a spectacular menu featuring rich Alberta Beef Osso Buco, classic Spaghetti with Meatballs, hearty Lasagna, and much more! It is a true Taste of Italy designed with family-friendly pricing in mind, ensuring the whole family can gather to savour a great meal in a welcoming environment.
We invite you to make our table yours for the evening, for this great family All You Can Eat Italian Feast.
Join the celebration at all of these Freson Bros. locations: Barrhead • Drumheller • Edmonton – Glenora • Edmonton – Rabbit Hill • Fort Saskatchewan • High Prairie • Hinton Hill • Peace River • Stony Plain
MENU INCLUDES:
Alberta Beef Osso Bucco
Smoked Lasagna
Alberta Pork Parmesan
Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs
Vegetable Medley, and more!
We hope to see you there!
Family Favourites
Simple & Delicious Italian Style Home Cooking
Classic dishes simplified to fit into your busy schedule. Gourmet flavours without the stress.
Classic Cacio e Pepe
The ultimate 'nothing in the fridge' meal that tastes like a fancy Italian restaurant.
Ingredients:
227g Spaghetti
2 tbsp Black Peppercorns
2 tbsp Butter
1 cup Grana Padano or Parmesan cheese.
How to Make:
Boil your pasta in salted water. Save 1 cup starchy water then drain. Toast peppercorns in a dry pan (2 min), crush coarsely, then sizzle in melted butter. Whisk in half a cup of pasta water, and simmer. Remove from heat, stir in cheese and pasta. Mix well, adding extra water until the sauce is silky and clings to the pasta.
Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
Forget the jarred sauce! This homemade version takes the same amount of time and tastes 100 times better.
Ingredients:
454g Fettuccine
1/2 cup Butter
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 1/2 cups Parmesan Cheese
pinch of Nutmeg
How to Make:
Melt butter and cream together (don’t let it boil!). Add the cheese and whisk until smooth. Toss with your cooked pasta and a splash of pasta water.
Tip:
Strain the pasta early so it finishes cooking directly in the sauce.
Classic Homemade Marinara
A rich, vegetable-forward sauce that is better than anything in a jar.
Ingredients:
2 cans (28oz) Whole Peeled Tomatoes
OR 4lbs fresh Roma Tomatoes, peeled
1 each Onion, Carrot, Celery Stalk, finely chopped
1/4 cup Olive Oil
4 Garlic cloves, minced
Dried Oregano & Red Pepper Flakes
Fresh Basil
How to Make:
Crush the tomatoes by hand in a bowl, or if using fresh, chop finely. Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery in oil until soft. Add garlic and spices for 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Before serving, stir in fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Family-Style Chicken Parmesan
Crispy, cheesy, and always a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients:
4 Chicken Breasts
Flour
1 Egg
Breadcrumbs
Marinara Sauce
Mozzarella
Parmesan
How to Make:
Coat the chicken in flour, then beaten egg, then breadcrumbs, and fry until golden. Top with a spoonful of sauce and a thick slice of mozzarella. Bake or cover the pan until the cheese is bubbly.
Tip:
You can use store-bought marinara to save time on a busy Tuesday!
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Let the oven do the hard work for this fall-off-the-bone dinner.
Ingredients:
3 lbs Short Ribs
Flour
Onion
Carrots
2 cups Red Wine
2 cups Beef Stock
How to Make:
Coat ribs in flour and brown in a big pot on all sides equally, remove from pot. In the same pot, sauté the veggies, add wine and stock, then return ribs to pot. Cover and bake at 325°F for about 4 hours.
Tip:
This makes the whole house smell amazing. Serve it over mashed potatoes or the leftover risotto!