Mutti Triple-Concentrated Tomato Paste (2-Pack)
Mutti Tomato Paste is tomato paste as it was originally intended. Traditionally, this ingredient was made by drying tomato sauce on wooden boards in the sun; likewise, Mutti's modern version has a sun-dried flavor and caramelized richness reminiscent of molasses. Yet the tomato paste is not overly sweet—as tomatoes cook, their amino acids break down, which produces savory umami compounds. And unlike most tubed tomato pastes which are double-concentrated, this version is triple-concentrated, so a little goes a long way. We far prefer it to other tomato pastes in tubes, not to mention canned varieties that inevitably have a metallic taste from reacting with acidic tomato juice.
Masseria Mirogallo Hand-Peeled Tomatoes
Produced by the Belfiore family in the province of Matera (one of Italy’s oldest towns), these hand-peeled tomatoes are stunningly packaged and taste terrific—sweet, fruity, bright and bold.
Tastëlanghe IGP Piedmont Hazelnuts
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Sweet, nutty and satisfyingly crunchy, these shelled, whole toasted ones are perfectly browned with a clean taste on the finish. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. These hazelnuts will shine in dishes from sweet cakes, creams and cookies to savory salads. Or just snack on them whole.
Il Colle Del Gusto Noccioliva Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Il Colle del Gusto's Noccioliva smooth hazelnut spread is a lighter, glossier and more aromatic version of Nutella. With a high hazelnut content of up to 42%, it is made using local, high-quality roasted nuts from Italy, which are ground down into a silky-smooth texture. This spread makes a wonderful addition to almost any dessert—the olive oil makes it easy to incorporate into pastry cream or any custard base. We also love it for breakfast: Spread it on a crêpe as the French do, slather on toast, or top with fresh sliced fruit.
Tastëlanghe Hazelnut Dark Chocolate Spread
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. In their Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Nocciola Dark), those renowned hazelnuts turn into a creamy, rich, sweet dark chocolate spread. Light in texture but deep in flavor, this spread has just a hint of dark chocolate and intense notes of roasted hazelnuts. It’s like Nutella, but less dense, far more flavorful, and with only natural ingredients. Use it to spoon onto ice cream, cakes, cookies, or any baked good or anywhere you would Nutella, spread on toast, or eat straight from the jar!
Tastëlanghe Hazelnut Caramel
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. In their Hazelnut (Nocciola) Caramel, those renowned hazelnuts turn into a creamy, rich, sweet caramelly spread with a hint of salt. Light in texture but deep in flavor, this spread is full of caramel flavor from a mixture of caramelized hazelnuts and milk that is cooked down to perfection. It’s like dulce de leche, but less dense and far more flavorful. Spoon it onto ice cream, cakes, cookies, or any baked good, spread on toast or eat straight from the jar!
Che Fico Calabrian Chili Bomba
The iconic condiment of San Francisco’s Che Fico restaurant, this Calabrian chili paste is incredible, with a pleasant texture and layered flavor that sets it apart from others we’ve tasted. Where most chili condiments have a one-note chili flavor, Che Fico’s features the fruity Calabrian chili at the forefront but also adds nuance with the additions of bright Fresno chilies, savory roasted garlic and a tangy vinegar that lingers on the palate. The juicy pulpiness of the peppers and the slick of oil is both pleasantly textural and somehow creamy and silky. The opening pop of slightly vinegary calabrian chili flavor is perfectly seasoned, but the following fade into garlic is what makes this feel appropriate for any and everything.
Masseria Mirogallo Diavolicchi Hot Peppers in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
It’s no secret that we love chilies at Milk Street, and the diavolicchi from Masseria Mirogallo are some of our favorites. Their name comes from the Italian word for devil because they are said to be hotter than hell, but they also have a bright flavor and sweet finish. Hand-selected and packed into jars with only wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil produced from the same farm on which the peppers were grown, diavolicchi's piquancy will define and sharpen a dish’s flavors. Use to cut through a starchy pasta dish, clarify a rich braise or stew or heighten sauces. And don’t throw out the oil! It’s terrific in vinaigrettes or used for sautéing vegetables, seafood and eggs.
Villa Manodori "Dark Cherry" Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP 250ml
Described by our kitchen staff as tasting like “wine-soaked chocolate covered cherries,” Villa Manodori’s Dark Cherry Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP is thick, rich and luxurious. Led by 3-Michelin Star chef, Massimo Bottura, the Italian brand makes their authentic Modena balsamic using wooden barrels and juicy trebbiano wine grapes. In this rendition, the dark cherry balsamic gets its sweet, fruity flavor profile from aging in prized Vignola cherry wood barrels for nine years, which impart notes of the tangy, indulgent fruit in the vinegar. Its thick, viscous consistency and full-bodied flavor make it the perfect candidate for finishing and glazing. It pairs well with game, pork or duck, drizzled over soups, salads and roasted vegetables, or even atop ice cream and cakes.
Ravida Lemon Olive Oil
This unfiltered, extra-virgin olive oil from Sicily is delicately soft and fruity, with gentle spicy notes and a pleasant hint of lemon. We love its perfect balance between peppery and bitter—a feat even the best producers struggle to pull off. Rather than a sharp, pungent hit of pepper like some brands, this lemony EVOO leaves only a light tingle at the back of the throat. And unlike other lemon oils, which often taste artificial or too strong, this oil tastes simply of fresh lemon zest, with no bitterness or acidity. Family-owned Ravida Azienda Agricola makes their lemon rendition from Biancolilla olives that are handpicked in autumn then pressed immediately, along with organic Zagara Bianca lemons. The result is a complex, well-rounded finishing olive oil that has a remarkable capacity to heighten flavors, from meats and cheeses, to salad dressing, risotto, seafood, rice dishes, soups and more.
Regalis 18-Year Barrel-Aged Black Truffle Balsamic
This infused balsamic vinegar gets its earthy flavor and aroma from real Périgord black truffles, not artificial flavoring, for nuanced truffle notes that don’t overpower. Like all good balsamics from Modena, the balsamic capital of the world, the vinegar has a pleasant acidity and beautiful raisiny aroma—but 18 years of barrel aging gives it a rounded complexity and luxurious viscosity, achieved without any thickeners or preservatives. Save this extra-special vinegar as a finishing touch: It’s delightful for dipping or drizzling over bread, burrata, roasted vegetables or fruit, steak or caprese salad. (It makes a fabulous gift, too.)
