F&B... / Global
Perfect pantry
Italian food is probably the world’s best but to match the country’s top chefs, you’ll need the right ingredients to hand. To round off our book preview we share some Italian staples.
From left to right (top).
1.
Michele Portoghese bucatini pasta
2.
I Sapori di Corbara tinned tomatoes
3.
Pan di Stelle biscuits
4.
Sanbittèr soft drink
5.
Campari aperitivo
6.
Fratelli Contorno caponata sauce
7.
Don Antonio sauce
8.
Sai sea salt
9.
Tartufi Morra truffle oil
10.
Riso Riccò rice
11.
Lavazza coffee
12.
Mutti passata
13.
Cipriani bellini
14.
Ringo biscuits
15.
Palmera tinned tuna
16.
Pastiglie Leone pastille sweets
17.
Luglio olive oil
From left to right (bottom).
18.
Flott anchovies
19.
Punt e Mes vermouth
20.
Peroni beer
21.
Riseria Capittini rice
22.
Baci chocolates
23.
Pavesini biscuits
24.
Metelliana tinned cherry tomatoes
25.
Acqua Panna water
26.
Fabbri mint syrup
27.
Davide Barbero chocolate
28.
Caffarel Gianduia chocolates
29.
Olio Barbera olive oil
30.
Narello artichoke hearts
31.
Ciomod chocolate bar
32.
Aperol aperitivo
33.
La Grande Ruota polenta
34.
Star stock cubes
Why nonna knows best
by Chiara Rimella
Many Italians are custodians of recipes involving minuscule but vital variations on classic dishes; it goes without saying that each purports their nonna’s lasagne to be the best. The idea of a family eating dinner at separate times is anathema. There’s something sacred about setting the table, taking a seat and focusing on the food and company. Even midweek meals are prepared with creativity and flair; an invitation to somebody’s house is an occasion for the host to show off the best from their everyday repertoire. Compliments are to be doled out plentifully, while enormous second helpings should always be accepted. Abundance goes hand in hand with affection. Pizza, pasta and Italian wine might have become staples from Singapore to São Paulo but isn’t it time that the rest of us took notice of how Italians eat? Seasonal food, enjoyed together, at a table – a sensible diet that would work the world over.
Buy a copy today
monocle roamed the length of the nation and The Monocle Book of Italy is the result of our dedicated reporting. Join us as we throw down our towels at the best beaches, call in at vineyards, furniture fairs and maybe even a disco or two. See Italy through a whole new lens. The book, published by Thames & Hudson, is available now from monocle.com/shop.
