Rita's Kitchen · Ingredient Sheets

Ingredient Spotlights

One-page ingredient sheets for pantries, partners and volunteers — what just came in, the easiest ways to use it, and why it's good for our neighbors. Print any sheet and post it in the kitchen.

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This month's ingredients

Mozzarella
Avocados
Carrots
Couscous
Artichoke Hearts (Baba Ghanouj)

Great Mozzarella!

Fantastic for pasta dishes, salads, chicken dishes with red sauce — and high in nutrients and protein.

Great for

Pasta dishes
Baked ziti, lasagna-style pasta, sausage marinara, chicken parm pasta.
Chicken
Chicken Parmesan, chicken marinara with mozzarella, Italian chicken and vegetables.
Vegetables
Eggplant or zucchini Parmesan-style dishes.
Salads
Mozzarella with tomatoes, greens, pasta salad, or vegetables.
Casseroles
Turns rescued ingredients into hearty, delicious meals everyone loves.

Why it's good for our neighbors

Provides protein and calcium, along with phosphorus and vitamin B12.
A delicious way to add protein and nutrients to every meal.

Handling: Keep refrigerated and use fresh mozzarella first — it has the shortest shelf life.

Mozzarella ingredient flyer from Caring for Friends — Printable mozzarella flyer

We Have Avocados!

Plentiful. Fresh. Packed with goodness. Together, we nourish neighbors in need.

Great for

Salads
Creamy, delicious and nutrient-rich.
Great soups
Adds creaminess, flavor and healthy goodness.
Side dish with dinners
A wholesome, healthy addition to any meal.
Enjoy as is
Perfect as a snack or eaten on its own.

Why it's good for our neighbors

Joint & arthritis relief — plant fats and compounds that reduce inflammation, easing stiff, aching joints.
Brain & memory support — monounsaturated fats that promote healthy blood flow to the brain.
Easy digestion & chewing — naturally soft and buttery, packed with fiber to help prevent constipation.
Nutrient booster — helps the body absorb up to 5x more vitamins (A, D, E, K) from other foods.

Handling: Put in the fridge to slow ripening; move to room temperature a day or two before use.

Avocados ingredient flyer from Caring for Friends — Printable avocados flyer

We Have Carrots!

Plentiful. Fresh. Packed with goodness. Together, we nourish neighbors in need.

Great for

Salads
Crunchy, colorful and nutritious.
Great soups
Adds flavor, color and essential nutrients.
Side dish with dinners
A wholesome, healthy addition to any meal.
Take a chomp on its own
Perfect as a snack or eaten as is.

Why it's good for our neighbors

A strong source of vitamin A and beta carotene for eye health.
Fiber-rich and naturally sweet — good raw, roasted, or simmered into soups and stews.

Handling: Refrigerate. Whole carrots hold longer than baby carrots — use bagged baby carrots first.

Carrots ingredient flyer from Caring for Friends — Printable carrots flyer

We Have Couscous!

A traditional Palestinian whole grain couscous that's nutty, chewy and satisfying — perfect in warm bowls, salads and soups.

Great for

Warm grain bowl
Maftoul with roasted veggies, chickpeas and herbs.
Chicken & maftoul
Seasoned chicken with maftoul, tomatoes and spinach.
Mediterranean salad
Cool maftoul with cucumbers, tomatoes, lemon and herbs.
Hearty soup
Warm soup with maftoul, beans, veggies and spices.

Why it's good for our neighbors

Whole grain goodness — high in fiber and plant based.
Versatile and easy — great hot or cold, perfect for meal prep.

Handling: Contains wheat (gluten). Store dry; cooked maftoul keeps well chilled.

Couscous ingredient flyer from Caring for Friends — Printable couscous flyer

We Have Artichoke Hearts!

A creamy, smoky roasted eggplant dip made with tahini, lemon, garlic and seasonings. Use it like hummus — endless possibilities.

Great for

Dip & snack
Serve with pita, crackers, carrots, cucumbers or veggies.
Sandwich spread
Use instead of mayo on turkey, chicken or veggie sandwiches.
Chicken & rice bowl
Add a spoonful to chicken, rice and veggies for simple flavor.
Mediterranean pasta
Stir into warm pasta with tomatoes, spinach or broccoli and chicken.
Roasted veggie bowl
Spoon over roasted potatoes, carrots, zucchini, peppers or broccoli.
Wraps & baked potatoes
Spread on a tortilla with meat and greens, or top a baked potato.

Why it's good for our neighbors

Eggplant is low in calories and high in fiber, plus antioxidants that support heart health.
Tahini adds plant protein, calcium and healthy fats for a satisfying, creamy finish.

Handling: Contains sesame (tahini). Refrigerate after opening and use within a few days.

Artichoke Hearts (Baba Ghanouj) ingredient flyer from Caring for Friends — Printable artichoke hearts (baba ghanouj) flyer

Rita and Minnie sharing a warm moment in Rita's Kitchen — Rita & Minnie — food nourishes, friendship heals

Food + Friendship + Hope

Every recipe is made to be shared

Rita’s Kitchen began with a simple belief: no one should be hungry or alone. Each collection on this site turns donated ingredients into comforting meals — prepared with love by volunteers and shared with dignity across Greater Philadelphia.

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