The spice and herb shelf
- Dried oregano (origano)Used for (examples)Puttanesca and grilled vegetablesSupermarketSpice aisle
- Dried peperoncinoUsed for (examples)Amatriciana and aglio e olioItalian deli or marketSpice aisle
- Black peppercornsUsed for (examples)Cacio e pepe and carbonaraSupermarketSpice aisle
- Bay leavesUsed for (examples)Broths and stewsSupermarketSpice aisle
- Fennel seedUsed for (examples)Homemade Italian sausageSupermarketSpice aisle
- Whole nutmegUsed for (examples)Tortellini filling and meatloafSupermarketSpice aisle
Jars, bottles and dry goods
- Extra virgin olive oilUsed for (examples)Everyday cooking, and poured over the finished dishSupermarketOil and vinegar
- Canned whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano)Used for (examples)Tomato sauce and amatricianaSupermarketCanned and jarred goods
- Tomato pasteUsed for (examples)Ragù alla bologneseSupermarketCanned and jarred goods
- Dried pastaUsed for (examples)Carbonara and pasta e fagioliSupermarketRice, pasta and grains
- Arborio or Carnaroli riceUsed for (examples)RisottoSupermarketRice, pasta and grains
- Polenta (coarse cornmeal)Used for (examples)Soft or grilled polentaSupermarketRice, pasta and grains
- Dried cannellini beansUsed for (examples)Pasta e fagioli and minestroneSupermarketDried beans and lentils
- Anchovy fillets in oilUsed for (examples)PuttanescaSupermarketCanned and jarred goods
- CapersUsed for (examples)Puttanesca and piccataSupermarketCanned and jarred goods
- Black olives (Gaeta or Taggiasca)Used for (examples)PuttanescaSupermarketCanned and jarred goods
- Dried porciniUsed for (examples)Risotto and pasta saucesItalian deli or marketDried goods aisle
- Pine nuts (pinoli)Used for (examples)PestoSupermarketBaking aisle
Cheese and cured meats
- Parmigiano ReggianoUsed for (examples)Grated over pasta and risottoSupermarketDairy case
- Pecorino RomanoUsed for (examples)Cacio e pepe and carbonaraSupermarketDairy case
- Fresh mozzarella (fior di latte)Used for (examples)Pizza margherita and caprese saladSupermarketDairy case
- Buffalo mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala)Used for (examples)Caprese salad and pizza, where it is eaten as it isSupermarketCheese case
- RicottaUsed for (examples)Lasagne and ravioliSupermarketDairy case
- PancettaUsed for (examples)Pasta sauces and ragùSupermarketDeli case
- GuancialeUsed for (examples)Carbonara and amatricianaItalian deli or marketDeli case
Fresh each week
- GarlicUsed for (examples)Almost everything: soffritto, sauces, pestoSupermarketProduce section
- Yellow onionsUsed for (examples)The soffritto, which starts most sauces and risottiSupermarketProduce section
- CarrotsUsed for (examples)Soffritto for ragùSupermarketProduce section
- CeleryUsed for (examples)Soffritto for minestroneSupermarketProduce section
- Fresh basilUsed for (examples)Pesto and caprese saladSupermarketProduce section
- Flat-leaf parsleyUsed for (examples)Puttanesca and aglio e olioSupermarketProduce section
- EggsUsed for (examples)CarbonaraSupermarketDairy case
- Unsalted butterUsed for (examples)Risotto and tomato sauceSupermarketDairy case
