Essential Ingredients
of Central Italy

To make authentic Central Italian meals, you must start with the necessary ingredients. Below are some key ingredients specific to these regions. Visit our La Cucina section for a full list of ingredients that will help you prepare recipes from across the entire country of Italy.

General Ingredients
  • Artichokes
  • Sage
  • Rosemary
  • Truffles
  • Butter
  • Porcini Mushrooms
  • Prosciutto
  • Pancetta
  • Guanciale
  • Salame
  • Lardo

Guanciale

This unsmoked Italian bacon is a delicacy of Central Italy.

Cheeses
  • Pecorino Romano
  • Pecorino Toscana
  • Marzolino del Chianti
  • Fresh Ricotta
  • Ambra
  • Ricotta Salata
  • Caciotta di Tartufo

Ricotta Salata

One of Italy's most unusual sheep's milk cheeses.

Grains
  • Arborio Rice
  • Polenta
  • Farro
  • Potato Gnocchi
  • Type 00 flour
  • Durum Flour (Semolina)
  • Borlotti Beans
  • Cannellini Beans
  • Chickpeas
  • Lentils
  • Lupines

Durum Flour

Unbleached flour used to make pasta and noodles.

Oils
  • Olive Oil
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
   Olive Oil

Olive Oil

Fruit oil obtained from the olive; used for cooking.

Spices
  • Anise
  • Coriander
  • Cumin
  • Cloves
  • Cinnamon
  • Black Pepper
  • Nutmeg
  • Saffron

Coriander

This annual herb is also known as Cilantro in the U.S.

Vinegars
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Chianti Vinegar
  

Chianti Vinegar

Straightforward vinegar with a clean, pungent taste.