Mutti Triple-Concentrated Tomato Paste
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.
Elios Sundried Tomatoes
These sun-dried tomatoes are made with just two ingredients: hand-selected piccadilly tomatoes and salt. Native to southern Italy, piccadilly tomatoes are deeply flavorful and boast a thin skin, making them ideal for drying or using in sauces. Dried the traditional way, using just the sun and zero additives, these tomatoes are supple and soft, never hard, dried out or overly tart. They taste exactly as they should—like vine-ripe tomatoes dried slowly in the Italian sun—and are so much better than supermarket versions.
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 Azienda Agricola 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 Hazelnut Spread with Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Il Colle del Gusto's hazelnut spreads are lighter, glossier and more aromatic versions of Nutella. With a high hazelnut content of up to 42%, they are made using local, high-quality roasted nuts from Italy, which have a toasty, buttery flavor, light sweetness and earthy depth.
Proserpina Cream with Almond and Chocolate
This artisanal, velvety cream from Italy tastes like a melted candy bar—and beats grocery store nut spreads any day. It’s the ideal spread for anyone who likes a little texture—the creamy base gets a light crunch from bits of puffed rice and candied Sicilian almonds and hazelnut. The spread has a rich flavor balanced between just-sweet-enough chocolate and aromatic almond. Try this treat on toast or breakfast pastries, ice cream, in desserts or straight out of the jar.
Tastëlanghe Nocciola Dark
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 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!
Suprem' Nougat de Montélimar with Lavender Honey Gift Bag
A famous specialty in the village of Montélimar, France, this soft yet crunchy nougat is studded with nuts and flavored with lavender honey. Nougat de Montélimar—an area some call “the world capital of nougat”—sets itself apart with a high percentage of almonds and the lavender honey that’s emblematic of the fields of purple flowers in Provence. Suprem’ Nougat’s version is the softest we’ve tasted, thanks to whipped egg whites, but balanced with crunchy pistachios and almonds. The flavor is sweet without being cloying, and the lavender honey adds a unique, delicate sweetness and nuanced floral aroma. Each batch is cooked in copper bain-maries and hand formed, the same way it has for decades. Traditionally served around the holidays, these addictive bites make a lovely gift or can be enjoyed with family at home.
Tastëlanghe Nocciola 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 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!
Olivieri Fungi Secchi Porcini (Dried Porcini Mushrooms)
The flavor and appearance of many supermarket brands of dried porcinis can be dirty, muddy, or overpowering, but these high-quality mushrooms from Piedmont, Italy, are anything but. Cleaner, richer and more savory, with a distinct buttery, earthy essence, these dried porcini from Oliveri look more like slices of actual mushrooms rather than typical shriveled, twisted pieces. And we found the clean, woodsy taste was everything a mushroom should be. Once hydrated, they become meaty and tender and can be used in recipes in place of fresh mushrooms, for soups, sauces, risottos and more. Their soaking liquid can also be strained and added to a dish for a more intense mushroom flavor.
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.
