Two gold medals from the American Cheese Society went to one Connecticut market’s ricotta and mozzarella in 2012.
That’s cheese with a trophy shelf.
I love that kind of bragging right.
The family behind it traces its cheesemaking roots to Noci, a town in Italy’s Puglia region.
Those roots stretch back to 1826.
That’s five generations of people who really, really know their curds.
Today, the shelves hold olive oil and San Marzano tomatoes under the family’s own label.
Cured meats hang from the ceiling like edible decorations.
There’s aged balsamic, truffle oil, and panettone waiting nearby too.
I can’t imagine strolling past all of that without filling a basket. Honestly, who could?
The trickier question is where you’d even start. Let’s sort that out, one delicious aisle at a time.
Two Brothers Built A Little Slice Of Puglia Here In 1981
Brothers Pasquale and Nick Liuzzi opened Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market in 1981. Pasquale had come to the United States in the early 1960s, and Nick followed in 1972.
Their story didn’t start in Connecticut, though. The family’s cheesemaking heritage traces back several generations to Noci, a town in Puglia in southern Italy.
Pasquale’s great-great-grandfather was a dairy farmer in the 1800s. That means the skills behind your mozzarella have been passed down for more than five generations.
What began as a single storefront kept growing. In 2007, the business expanded into both retail and wholesale divisions.
Later, the family added a separate cheese factory in nearby Hamden. That move let them make more of their famous cheeses without squeezing everything into the shop.
I like how the growth never seemed to erase the family feel. The name on the sign is still the name of the people who started it.
So when you shop here, you’re tapping into a long line of know-how. Every jar and wheel connects back to a small Italian town and two brothers with a big plan.
Not a bad backstory for a grocery run, right?
Award-Winning Cheese Is The Real Headliner
Over 200 varieties of cheese fill this market. That number alone should make any cheese lover a little weak in the knees.
The house-made stars come first. You’ll find fresh mozzarella, burrata, caciocavallo, and scamorza, all made by the family.
Ricotta gets special treatment too. There are two kinds, a whipped version and a large-curd style, so you can pick based on your recipe.
Need proof these folks know their stuff? In 2012, their ricotta and mozzarella each won first-place gold medals at the American Cheese Society competition.
The imports are just as exciting. Look for Grana Padano and Moliterno with black truffle paste, plus cheeses from Spain and France.
American artisan picks show up as well. Humboldt Fog, the creamy California goat cheese, sits among the European favorites.
My advice is simple. Grab one fresh cheese and one aged cheese, then build a snack board around them.
Burrata with ripe tomatoes is an easy winner. Caciocavallo grated over pasta is another smart move.
Not sure what to pick? Ask the staff, since helping shoppers learn about Italian food is part of the experience here.
Look Up, Because The Salami Is Hanging Around
Dried sausages dangle from the ceiling at the deli, and it’s quite the welcome. Few grocery stores decorate with soppressata, but Liuzzi does.
The deli counter covers the classic Italian cold cuts. Prosciutto, soppressata, and various dried sausages lead the way.
Many of the cured meats come from different regions of Italy. That gives you a chance to taste how flavors change from one part of the country to another.
Meat is only half the story at this counter. You’ll also spot marinated eggplant, roasted red peppers, stuffed peppers, olives, anchovies, and olive salad.
That lineup makes antipasto almost too easy. Pick two meats, a cheese, and a couple of marinated veggies, and dinner practically assembles itself.
Olive salad deserves a spot in your cart. It adds a salty, tangy kick to sandwiches and crackers.
Planning a party? Ask for a mix of sliced meats so guests can sample a little of everything.
A tip for first-timers is to not rush. With so many choices, a slow lap around the case helps you spot the things you didn’t know you wanted.
Your Pantry Is About To Get A Passport
San Marzano tomatoes carrying the family’s own label line the shelves here. So does their own extra virgin olive oil, sourced from Puglia, the same region the Liuzzis call home.
That’s a pretty personal pantry staple. It’s like getting a little piece of the family’s hometown in every can.
Imported plum tomatoes sit nearby for anyone who makes sauce in big batches. Hard-to-find gourmet items are part of the fun too.
Hunting for truffle oil? It’s here.
Aged balsamic vinegar and specialty chocolates are on the shelves as well.
These items can transform simple meals. A few drops of aged balsamic can make plain strawberries or grilled veggies feel fancy.
Truffle oil works the same magic on popcorn, eggs, or mashed potatoes. Just use a light hand, because a little goes a long way.
For everyday cooking, start with the tomatoes and olive oil. Those two basics form the backbone of countless Italian dishes.
I believe a great pantry makes weeknight cooking easier and tastier. Stocking up at a Connecticut market with goods shipped straight from Italy feels like cheating, in the best way.
Dinner Is Already Done If You Want It To Be
Lasagna, meatballs, and stuffed shells are ready and waiting. On a busy weeknight, that might be the best news you hear all day.
The prepared foods case at Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market covers both lunch and dinner. Pasta lovers can choose gnocchi with meat sauce, spaghetti with clams, stuffed manicotti, or ravioli with broccoli rabe.
The lineup goes beyond pasta. Marinated shrimp, beef empanadas, chicken fingers, and roasted red potatoes are part of the mix.
Kids who aren’t into fancy food? Chicken fingers have your back.
Then there’s the porchetta, a traditional Italian pork roast seasoned with herbs. As of 2016, it had been a staple for over 30 years, and staying power like that says something.
Side dishes round out the meal nicely. Look for three-cheese stuffed potatoes, macaroni salad, potato salad, and coleslaw, plus a selection of soups.
Here’s a smart strategy. Pick one main, one pasta, and one side, and you’ve got a full Italian spread with zero pots to scrub.
Your family doesn’t need to know you didn’t cook it. That secret can stay between you and the market.
Sandwiches And Fresh Pizza Make Lunch Way Too Easy
An Italian pizza maker works here every day. Fresh dough and sauces go into made-to-order pizzas, which is a serious upgrade from the frozen aisle.
Sandwich fans get options too. The sandwich station offers both hot and cold choices.
You can have one built to order with your favorite meats and cheeses. Or grab a pre-made sandwich when you’re in a hurry.
With all those cold cuts and house-made cheeses nearby, your sandwich has great raw material. Try pairing prosciutto with fresh mozzarella for something simple and classic.
Like a little heat? Spicy soppressata with sharp cheese makes a bold combo.
Timing matters if you want lunch. The market runs Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to 6 PM, so plan around those hours.
It’s closed Sundays and Mondays. That’s an important detail if a Monday sandwich craving strikes.
A pizza plus a sandwich could easily feed a small group. Add a side from the prepared foods case, and lunch becomes a feast.
Picnic plans just got a whole lot tastier.
A Butcher Counter That Thinks Beyond Plain Steak
Flank steak stuffed with prosciutto, ham, and mozzarella. That’s the Beef Chalet Roll, and it might be the most Italian way to cook a steak.
It sits at the butcher counter alongside plenty of other quality cuts. Certified Black Angus beef is a highlight here.
USDA-certified pork, poultry, and veal round out the selection. That covers nearly any Italian recipe you could dream up.
Planning chicken cutlets for parm night? You’re set.
Making veal for a special dinner works too. The counter makes it easy to grab meat and everything else on the same trip.
That’s the real perk. You can buy your beef, cheese, tomatoes, and bread all in one stop.
A specialty item like the stuffed roll is great for guests. It looks impressive on the table without demanding fancy kitchen skills.
My suggestion is to pick up some imported olive oil while you’re there. Then grab a crusty loaf from the bakery to soak up the juices.
Sunday dinner might suddenly become your favorite meal of the week, even if you shop for it on Saturday.
Fresh Bread And Holiday Treats Are Hard To Resist
Focaccia comes fresh from the in-house bakery. Warm bread and olive oil are a match made in heaven, and this market has both covered.
Other breads fill out the bakery selection as well. Homemade stuffed breads are a fun twist, since the filling is baked right inside.
They make an easy snack or a casual side for soup night. Slice and share, or keep one for yourself.
Then come the sweets. Festive Italian treats like torrone and panettone turn up on the shelves.
Torrone is a chewy nougat often packed with nuts. Panettone is a tall, fluffy sweet bread that’s a holiday classic in Italy.
Both make thoughtful gifts. They also make excellent desserts for a family gathering.
A clever trick for panettone leftovers? Use thick slices to make French toast the next morning.
Specialty chocolates add another tempting option for anyone with a sweet tooth. Some shoppers might plan to grab only bread and leave with a whole dessert table instead.
I can’t really blame them. Willpower stands little chance against a bakery like this.
Let Them Feed The Party While You Take The Credit
Baked ziti, eggplant parmigiana, and sausage and peppers are all on the catering menu. Hosting a party just got a lot less stressful.
Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market offers professional catering with both hot and cold platters. An Italian antipasto platter is a crowd-pleasing place to start.
Cold cut sliders work great for game days and graduations. Chicken breast dishes and stuffed shells are also available.
There’s even cheese tortellini with peas and ham. That one feels homey and comforting.
Gift baskets are another handy service. They’re a great pick for holidays, thank-you gifts, or anyone who loves good food.
Picture a basket stocked with olive oil, balsamic, and Italian sweets. Okay, maybe don’t picture it too long, or you’ll want one for yourself.
You can find the market at 322 State St, North Haven, CT 06473. It’s an easy stop for anyone in the New Haven area of Connecticut.
Order ahead for big events. That gives the team time to prepare, and it gives you time to relax before guests arrive hungry.
