If there’s one thing Italians are extremely passionate about, it’s cooking. The world of Italian cuisine is so diverse and delectable that it would take someone years to get through even just the basics. Every day there’s a new ingredient, new flavor combo to explore - just waiting to take your taste buds on a mouth-watering ride.
Italian Market Guide: What to Look For When You’re Out for Shopping
One of the best parts about living in or visiting Italy would be the chance to check out the nation’s colorful food markets.
However, they can be a challenge for first-time visitors, particularly if you aren’t proficient in Italian. So if you want the full Italian market experience but don’t know how to start, we have the perfect guide for you.
All of these ingredients can also be found on our Italian Market in Miami to make things easier for you.
Fresh Scungilli
We are starting off strong! Scungilli isn’t for the faint of heart, so if you don’t want to test your boundaries, we don’t suggest this for you. You’re definitely familiar with a conch shell, right? A scungilli is a kind of mollusk - technically meat from the conch shell. Scungilli has a slightly sweet taste with its chewy and meaty texture.
You will find frozen scungilli in Italian supermarkets but the fresh version is hard to beat. If overcooked, scungilli can start to taste rubbery. Otherwise, it will be flavorful and dense, with subtle hints reminiscent of the ocean.
This treat is incredibly popular in Italy thanks to its light, refreshing taste. With its distinctive chew, scungilli has a bit more bite to it. It holds up to acid and heat surprisingly well and can also be deep-fried, just like calamari. Many people like to make a spicy dish called fra diavolo with scungilli. Flavor notes that compliment scungilli very well are of lemon, vinegar, garlic, shallots, and fresh herbs - all of which you can shop from Origini Market.
Homemade Meatballs
There’s a lot of debate regarding whether it’s correct to call anything “homemade” if you didn’t make them at home yourself. Well, when has that ever stopped the locals from buying those delicious homemade meatballs at their local Italian market? Similar to the homemade pasta and sauces (both of which pair like a dream with this ingredient), homemade meatballs are the classic Italian treat.
Nowadays it’s not only made from different types of animal products. Plant-based meat has been used to make meatballs as well. Cooking the perfect meatballs and spaghetti is easy. You will find all the ingredients needed in our Italian Market.
Fresh Pasta
Anyone who has ever tasted fresh pasta knows that there is a distinct difference between that and the store-bought version. Fresh, homemade pasta has superior texture and taste. Many people like to make their own pasta but it would actually take you years to master the art of pasta-making. But for these cooks who sell their homemade pasta at their local Italian market, making pasta is the ultimate goal.
Thus, they make pasta like they were born to make pasta.
A lot of the times, pasta makers run down in the family, so someone might have picked it up right after they were old enough to differentiate between solid foods and milk. Authentic handmade pasta offers this incredible mouthfeel that you will fall in love with once you have tried.
Italian Pizza
Have you ever come across one of those “Italian grandmothers react to-” videos on your Facebook or YouTube page? Every Italian Nonna’s heart stop when they see the westernized version of their beloved dish - pizza. Pizza isn’t that hard to make or perfect. In the Italian version, the cook prefers simplicity over everything. It’s the simple blend of herbs and spices that will play over the bread to slip your mouth into pure bliss.
But here’s the thing. Once you’ve tasted Italian pizza, you are all but ruined for it. Chances are, you will never love any other pizza ever again. If you are ready to take that risk, make sure to pick up a pizza on your way out of the Italian market.
Italian Meats and Cheeses
You can purchase fresh meats and cheeses at any other high-end grocery but the range is wider at an Italian grocery. In Italy, locals eat these meats as is but pancetta is usually cooked before consumption in the United States. Popular Italian meats include Mortadella, Salami, Prosciutto, Pancetta, and more. Once you take the first bite, you will know that you are tasting a unique dish as the meat’s flavors pop in your mouth.
And while you’re deciding which meats to get, buying a chunk of homemade mozzarella is always a great idea. You cannot go wrong with a little parmesan either (hello? Alfredo pasta is literally the food of the century at this point), and perhaps a little soft taleggio cheese. Cheese boards can be wildly expensive. Buying cheeses from Italian markets and then assembling one yourself is cheaper and you can get creative with it. Find all your Italian grocery needs online on Origini Market or in our Italian gourmet store in Miami.
Fresh Crusty Bread
Italian fresh crusty semolina breads will remind you of the power of homemade foods. It will remind you why many choose to spend hours in the kitchen whipping up a meal from scratch rather than getting something in a pinch from their local restaurant. These breads are so good by themselves that you need little to nothing to elevate the taste.
Like a true Italian, you can slice it up and dip it in an herbed olive oil recipe. Also, you can spread a bit of butter on top and toast it up for the perfect crunchy factor next to your morning coffee. We believe this would be the perfect accompaniment to French onion soup.
Gelato
Not many know that Gelato has Italian roots. Artisanal gelato from this land consists of 6% to 10% buttermilk to create the perfect smooth, soft texture that we all crave. If you cannot try out the Roman version, the one available at your local Italian market should be fine. You can choose from a large variety of flavors and textures.
Every Flavor of San Pellegrino
San Pellegrino sparkling water has become an Italian staple. It comes in interesting flavors such as Lemon & Mint and Prickly Pear & Orange. You can find these flavors on Origini Market as well as your local Italian market. Right now there are nine flavors available and you should try all of them.
Italian Oils and Vinegars
Bet you never thought about buying homemade oils and vinegars! Italian markets have the best homemade balsamic vinegar that you can use on countless dishes - including marinades, soups, and desserts. There are so many variants to choose from, and you cannot go wrong with any really.
Bottom Line
This concludes the Italian market guide on what you must absolutely pick up on your next trip to the grocer’s. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of walking down the aisles, checking into ingredients, Origini Market has an amazing selection of the freshest produce. Enjoy Italian cuisine to its fullest.
