Our Favorite Non-Mafia Italian Products
Italians are not happy with their rep on the world stage, reports the Telegraph this week. Italy’s largest organization of agricultural producers, Coldiretti, has “called on foreign governments and the European Union to stamp out what it called a ‘market of horrors,’ encompassing pasta, pizzas and other Italian-type foods which are sold under a mafia theme.”
That means you, Al Capone pasta sauce, and you, “Mafia Cookbook.” In an effort to help Italy shed its mafioso-bound image, here are a few of our favorite Italian products that don’t use shoot-em-up marketing, are delicious, and look dang gorgeous. (Few nations have an edge on the Italians when it comes to product design.)
Panforte di Siena
Although it translates to “strong bread,” panforte is, as one editor fan expresses it, more “a chewy dried fruit and nut cake. It’s great with cheese. It’s like a chic-er, less brick-in-your-tummy version of fruitcake.” $28.14, Amazon.com
Rustichella d’Abruzzo Pasta
There’s dried pasta, and then there’s dried pasta, and the handed-down-through-generations family recipe behind this spaghetti has resulted in a wonderfully al dente noodle with tons of flavor, all on its own, without sauce. $6.99, Amazon.com
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
If you’re not gonna make our own, these are the ones to buy. Silky in texture, not too sweet, and the perfect thing to plop into an old-fashioned. $17.75, Amazon.com
Luxardo Cherry Liqueur
Don’t make us choose between our maraschino cherry products, for we are obsessed. The cherry liqueur from the same sleek brand is rad for all your sophisticated-take-on-Shirley-Temple needs. $24.99, ShopMerwins.com
Cento Anchovy Paste
Not everything from Cento is made in Italy, but we’re fans, regardless, of their tuna packed in olive oil, their anchovies, their San Marzano tomatoes, and this super-savory anchovy paste, which is great for spontaneous Caesar salads. $2.99, Amazon.com
Grana Padano
One editor guiltily admits, as though revealing a long-held family secret, that she prefers nutty Grana Padano to Parmigiano-Reggiano. $19.99/ lb, Murray’s Cheese
Il Miracolo di San Gennaro Tomatoes
So-called Italian tomatoes are the sneakiest product of the bunch; even those that look Italian are often not. Check the small text for the “Made in Italy” label. These Il Miracolo tomatoes are tough to find; food writer Francis Lam lauded them as the $15 tomatoes that were worth it for Gourmet.com thanks to their mellow, slightly sweet flavor, and a delicate texture. If you spy them, spring for them. (Or just go for Cento’s, which are a couple bucks per can, and mighty tasty, too.)
[Telegraph via Grub Street]
