Italian Spices and Other Common Ingredients in Italian Cooking

Tomato -  The tomato is quite the popular ingredient in Italian cuisine, as it becomes the basis of many favorite dishes. Cooked tomatoes are a great source of lycopene and are a wonderful addition to the daily diet. Many consider the San Marzano plum tomato as the best variety for cooking. In Italian cuisine, the tomato is crushed, chopped, and pureed. The concentrate form is used just as much as the whole tomato. It is not uncommon to see tomatoes in pasta sauces, rice dishes, gnocchi, salads, as well as other stuffed and cooked vegetable Italian dishes.

Olive Oil -  Olive oil is often used in Italian cooking. "Virgin" oil is generated through a mechanical process that grinds and presses the olive without the use of heat. Virgin oil is not washed, decanted, or filtrated. In order to consider olive oil as "extra virgin," it must possess an acidity of less than 1%. Olive oil quality is important to the creation of Italian dishes, as the tree variety, olive condition, and harvesting all contribute to its overall value. Olive oil is considered to be one of the healthiest fats.

Garlic - Without garlic, how else would sauces, roasted lamb, and pesto sauce pop with flavor? This ingredient is a popular addition to many Italian recipes, including the Neapolitan aglio or olio sauce. When a recipe calls for sautéing the garlic, make sure it does not burn, as it will have a bitter flavor.

Oregano -  Oregano is found in the wild hills and fields of central and southern Italy, and is quite easy to grow in a pot in your kitchen. In Sicily, oregano is especially popular, as it is often added to preserved olives. When dry, the herb possesses a much stronger flavor than when fresh. As you cook, use less dry oregano. The herb is commonly used to season pizzas, sauces, and vegetables.

Parsley - Throughout Italy, parsley is quite popular for spicing up soups and salads. Another way to utilize this herb is to include in sauces, especially in seafood recipes.

Rosemary - When grilling or roasting meats or pan roasting a side of potatoes, consider rosemary as a popular herb to elevate Italian cuisine. To truly savor the flavor, fresh rosemary is recommended. Roasted Chicken and potatoes are excellent with a generous sprinkle of rosemary.

Thyme - Thyme is a common herb used in the flavoring of meat and fish dishes. Less is more with thyme, overdoing it can ruin a recipe.

Heavy Cream - Numerous Italian dishes call for whipping cream, as it is used in many sauce and dessert recipes. If you've ever had Fettuccine Alfredo, it is the cream that uplifts this dish.

Capers - Italian capers are actually the buds of a flower that have been picked, dried and then preserved in rock salt or a vinegar mixture. They're tiny little bursts of flavor that add an unusual fun flavor to dishes. Capers often appear in recipes for sauces and fish dishes.

Basil - With a spicy scent, basil is often seen in pesto, salads, sauces, minestrone soup, and other vegetable creations. When selecting basil at the grocery store, it is suggested to opt for the fresh herb to enjoy the best results. 

Some Italian recipes on this site:
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Pasta Puttanesca
Herb Turkey Scaloppine
Spinach & Tomato Ravioli
Pasta with Summer Veggies
Linguine with Clam Sauce Recipes
Olive Parmesan Salad
Italian Dessert Recipes