On a cold December afternoon in her closed shop, Michelle Martuscelli sits in front of a steel bowl and a small mountain of dark green basil, plucking the tender leaves from the tough stems for use in homemade pesto for the lunch rush of coming days. 

Much of the menu at Cugini Italian Imports & Deli are brightened with a dollop of that pesto, whether in the “Fuggedaboutit” sub sandwich with roast beef, horseradish aioli and veggies, or “The Godfather” panini with hot sopressata, pepperoni, cheese and pepper sauce.