The Most Essential Ingredients of Italian Food

Italian food is popular throughout the world for its great variety. From tiny home kitchens to huge restaurants, one can expect to always find any or all of these essential ingredients that define Italian cooking:

Olive oil – High in monounsaturated fat (the complete opposite of bad saturated fat), it makes it a good bet to boost levels of good cholesterol and decrease amounts of bad cholesterol. It is also high in antioxidants which are good for the heart.

Balsamic vinegar – This type of vinegar is darker, thicker, and starkly different from other types of vinegars. It came from Italy’s Modena region, and is known for its complex, sweet taste.

Basil – Basil leaves are what gives authentic Italian pasta dishes their characteristic flavors. Also known as basilico by the locals, basil leaves are also used to flavor sauces and top pizza.

Parsley – Parsley is an easily grown herb also used for flavoring, with the best ones being the home-grown, and not the commercial, pre-packaged flakes sold at local markets. Native-grown parsley is always the best choice over the curly-leaf variants.

Parmesan – Also known as the King of Cheeses, parmesan is known to melt inside the mouth, where it releases its flavor. One can never cook Italian pasta dishes without the iconic parmesan.

Tomatoes – Of course, never forget fresh, plump tomatoes. Packed with vitamin C and the heart-friendly antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes define authentic Italian red sauce that’s generously poured on their pastas and pizza.