Italian cuisine is one of the most loved ones in the world. Some of this is thanks to the fact that while its tastes are rich and amazing, the ingredients are quite basic, a fact that makes them easy to make in your own private kitchen. Here are some of the products we recommend you keep in your pantry to easily make Italian food yourself.
Grains
Grains are the foundation of many meals, and that is especially true for a cuisine where pasta and risotto are true starts. If you opt for the health version try finding the whole grain version. You will need:
- Risotto rice (Arborio)
- Polenta (corn meal)
- Long and short dry pasta
Beans
Italians stock their pantry with plenty of beans and legumes, which can serve as a healthy side dish or boost the nutrition of pasta, salads, soups, and stews. Try keeping some of these:
- Dry chickpeas
- Dry fava
- Dry romano
Canned, Preserved & Dried Vegetables
While Italian food is known for its use of fresh ingredients, we can’t find them all year long at the market. Canned and preserved vegetables are a good substitute. Here are some that you want to keep handy:
- Canned tomatoes
- Passata (tomato puree)
- dried porcini mushrooms
- sun-dried tomatoes
- capers and olives in brine
Canned Fish
Small oily fish are a great source of Omega acid which is great for the heart and the brain. They are also used often in many dishes which come from the southern part of Italy. Try to keep some of them:
- Canned sardines
- Canned mackerel
- Canned anchovies
