Play ball: New Yankee Stadium food items include desserts from famed Westchester chef

Spring means baseball which also means indulging in fun eats (besides a hotdog and beer) if you’re visiting Yankee Stadium.

The ballpark, which opens March 27, has upped its food offerings in recent years including the addition of Westchester resident and well known chef Christian Petroni, a regular on the Food Network after winning Season 14 of the Next Food Network Star.

Petroni, who was born and raised in the Bronx, and is known for mastering the art of red sauce in the New York City area, has brought his love for Italian food to stadium fans with meatballs fried in extra virgin olive oil and cheesy garlic bread, served with an eight-hour marinara. The bread also features seeded Bronx bastone, mozzarella, Sicilian oregano and pecorino Romano and Parmesan Reggiano.

More: Spring Hudson Valley Restaurant Week starts March 31. See what’s new

New this year: the addition of tiramisu (espresso mascarpone cream, lady finger cookies and cocoa powder) and a Mister Softee Sundae (vanilla ice cream with hazelnut hot fudge, cannoli praline crunch and vanilla panna).

All are located in Section 125.

The food line-up was announced by the the New York Yankees March 19 and also features returning vendors Lobel’s, Streetbird by Marcus Samuelsson, Bobby Flay’s “Bobby’s Burgers,” Mighty Quinn’s, Fuku, Chickie’s & Pete’s, The Halal Guys, Benihana, and more along with new partners Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, Caribbean Food Delights, Nuchas (empanadas) and Bondi Sushi.

Goose Island’s New York Legendary Ale — a Yankee Stadium exclusive — returns following its successful debut last year, and Yankee Stadium has added a new signature cocktail — the Aspen Espresso Martini.

Westchester restaurants: Vesta Kitchen + Bar in Harrison has drinks named for Roman gods, elevated comfort food

Food and beverage operations at Yankee Stadium are managed by Legends Hospitality, led by Executive Chef Robert Flowers, who’s now in his second year.

According to a press release provided by the organization, the Stadium is committed to enhancing the fan experience for all guests. That includes the new Change-Up Kitchen — located in Section 105 — which will house a diverse selection of gourmet dishes from Legends, including their porchetta sandwich, lobster roll and rotisserie chicken, along with Lobel’s Prime Pastrami sandwich and Nuchas empanadas.

Throughout the year, the Change-Up Kitchen will also debut new menu creations and provide a location for guest chefs to serve dishes and greet fans.

Additionally, lettuce and herbs grown in the Yankee Stadium Tower Garden, located inside Yankee Stadium’s Gate 2, will be used in various menu items throughout the season. The garden also serves to provide a hands-on learning experience for students taking part in the New York Yankees Healthy Home Plate Program, which the team has been conducting since 2011.

Go to yankees.com/eats for more information.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Yankee Stadium: Westchester Food Network star chef to offer desserts