Prodotti Italiani

DINING IN
The best was to experience Italian cuisine is in a home kitchen. If you find yourself behind the stove, make authenticity simple with some local produce.


Fagolini Thin, crisp, and sweet- cook this flavorful string bean cousin in salty boiling water to maintain its beautiful green hue.

Lemons

Softball sized lemons in the South of Italy are as sour as their Northern counterparts, but are cool to look at and yield a lot more juice.


Tomatoes

Take a whiff and you’ll notice something different about the tomatoes in Italy. Often sold fresh on the vine, they have a sweet/tang to match their earthy scent.

MEAL ON THE RUNInexpensive and accessible, supermarkets are fantastic destinations for the impromptu meal. Try a couple of these Italian household staples for a simple meal worth talking about.

Pizza Bianca
Lighter than focaccia, white pizza is sprinkled with salt and dressed with olive oil. You can often find it still warm from the oven and like pizza al taglio, you can select the exact amount you want and pay by weight.

Prosciutto Cotto
Does the shiny coat and gummy texture of the average aged prosciutto turn you off? Try the more accessible prosciutto cotto. Fully cooked with a more Easter Ham like texture, it’s also a big hit with kids.

Muller Bianco

It may just look like yogurt, but this German import is creamy, not too sweet and gets better with every bite. Try the coconut, hazelnut, or pineapple flavors for something with a little more kick.


Mozzarella di Bufala

Made from the milk of the Asian water buffalo, this cheese is richer than the mozzarella you’re used to. The four Euro price tag for an orange-sized ball may feel unsettling, but a single taste of its delicately spun layers will make your worries melt.

TAKE AWAY
Fruits and veggies are forbidden, but you can still pack plenty of other Italian treats to take home. These are my favorite suitcase stowaways.


Pasta

Chalk it up to terroir, the pasta in Italy does not taste the same as what you’ll get at home. It also has a long shelf life, travels well and you’ll find shapes that even Italians have trouble identifying.


Parmigiano Reggiano

You did not go all the way to Italy to return home and eat that sprinkle cheese from a green can. Parmesan is less expensive in Italy and lasts in your fridge for months. There really is no good excuse to go home without it and every bite will be a savory reminder of your trip.

Knorr Granulated Broth
Ice cube trays of frozen stock may not line your freezer, but this instant broth from Knorr is the next best thing.

Pan di Stelle

You may find the supermarket is fresh out of these crispy chocolate cookies. Crack a cabinet in any Italian kitchen and that’s where you’ll find them. Like the Oreo of Italia, a bag of these would make a nice gift for your office buddies and an even better snack for your flight home.

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