The Italian Pantry

Even Bella Nona used canned tomatoes.

A few good ingredients, always on hand. Here's the list I use to stock my Italian kitchen.

Olive Oil de Fino (a must)

Sun dried Tomatoes

Roasted Bell Peppers

Pesto

Capers

Garlic

Canned Tomatoes

Olives

Balsamic Vinegar

Short Pasta - farfalle, penne, multicolored fusilli, rigatoni

Long Pasta - vermicelli, angel hair, buccatini

Herbs - basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano, bay leaves, thyme

Seasoning - Kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, lemon pepper, smoked paprika

Almonds

Pine Nuts

Any of your breads, vegetables and meats can be frozen

Deli meat - ham, prosciutto, salami, smoked turkey, beef pastrami

Cheese - Parmesan Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Asiago, smoked provolone, mozzarella, and your favorites

Mushrooms

Roma Tomatoes

Red & Yellow Onions

Zucchini

Yellow Squash

Green Beans

Bread, heavy bodied artisan - Italian bread, pugliese, Focaccia, whole wheat and rosemary Olive Oil

Italian Sausage (sweet, mild, or hot)

Beef (sirloin, hamburger)

Pork

Basil: 1 Tbsp fresh = 1 tsp dried

*Garlic: 1 Tbsp fresh = 3/4 tsp dried

Garlic Clove: 1 clove fresh = 1/4 tsp dried

*Onion: 1/3 c. fresh = 2 tsp dried

Parsley: 1 Tbsp = 1 tsp dried

*granulated or powdered