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�RIE� EGG�LANT AT M��E�S PASTAAND SAND���H SHOPPE� NUT�E�
When Michael Cosenza opened Mike ’ s �asta and Sandwich Shoppe with business partner Michael Carrino , hedid not want to use �cutesy� names for sandwiches . ( The two Mikes hail from awardwinning , now shuttered �ig ��rince in Montclair .) Cosenza also wanted to use eggplant for asandwich . ��ggplant is one item that is really global , �hesays , �Asian , �uropean , South American . � And it ’ sthe main ingredient in one of his Italian heritage ’ s most famous dishes : eggplant parmigiana .
Which explains the beloved �ried �ggplant , asimply named heady sandwich that ’ s a kind of homage to the South Italian culinary marvel . However , in Cosenza ’ s skilled hands , it takes on aslightly global twist . The �ried �ggplant consists of — no surprise — fried eggplant , along with whipped ricotta , arugula and homemade tomato �am that Cosenza notes is packed with spices from around the world , including cinnamon , fennel and cumin . It may not be his shop ’ s No . �bestselling sandwich ( hello Chicken Cutlet� ), but it ’ s , Cosenza says , �unique . � And , yes , abig seller . • �� �arri�on �t�� ����� ��������� �i�e��a�ta�an��ic���o��e�co�
MAMA REE AT SPARO�S� UPPER MONT��A�R
How do you choose between two moms ? �ou don ’ t .
Childhood buddies Mike Sparacino and Adam Rose , the owners of popular sandwich shop Sparo ’ s , offer two sandwiches named after their mothers : the Mama Cici ( after Rose ’ s mom ) and the Mama Ree ( Sparacino ’ s ). They ’ re both delicious .
Sparacino ’ s mom , Maria , created her sandwich , which , because she loves vegetables , consists of fried eggplant cutlet topped by fresh mozzarella , artichoke hearts , roasted red peppers and arugula on sesame-seeded semolina bread baked by nearby �encarelli ’ sBakery . All the breads are provided bythe Bloom�eld-based bakery . �ou might �nd her in the restaurant , helping out behind the counter .
The Cici ? It too has a nice vegetarians-can-eat-this content — broccoli rabe , roasted red peppers and mozzarella — but it takes a decidedly meaty turn with crispy chicken cutlet and thin slices of prosciutto . �um .
So which to get ? Both : one for lunch and the other for dinner . • ���� �elle��e ��e�� ����� ��������� ��aro��eli�co�
EGG�LANT� COURTESY OFMI�E�S �ASTA AND SANDWICH SHO��E� MAMA REE� COURTESY OFS�ARO�S
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HOLIDAY 2022 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE