If you're unable to get to the grocery store, you can order some Italian-style pickled and oil-packed vegetables, the perfect food to be kept in everyone's kitchen.
EASY TO STORE, FRESH FOR MONTHS
It is a beloved Italian tradition. During the summer, we preserve vegetables to be used during the winter. In these difficult times – when going regularly to the supermarket or the grocery store is quite impossible – so it could be a good idea to pack our pantries with sottoli and sottaceti, because they are very easy to store and will retain quality for at least a few months. But remember, once opened, the pickles should be kept in the fridge!
SOTTACETI, VEGETABLES PICKLED IN VINEGAR
The word sottaceti literally means "under vinegar" because these vegetables have been pickled in wine vinegar. One of the most famous Italian traditions for sottaceti is the Giardiniera, assorted pickled vegetables in vinegar like carrots, bell peppers, celery, cauliflower, olives. It is usually served as an appetizer. Giardiniera can also be used on panini (sandwiches) or on bruschetta.
SOTTOLI, VEGETABLES PICKLED IN OIL
The Italian name means "under oil." We define sottoli as all the vegetables packed in olive oil. Usually they are pre-cooked or marinated, then put in a jar and covered with oil. The ancient Italian farmers perfected the sottoli technique over the course of many generations. Their method allows the vegetables (like olives, artichokes, eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, pumpkin) to keep the flavor all year long. Usually they cook the vegetables with white vinegar, water, black pepper and laurel for a very brief time. Then they dry the vegetables on a dish cloth. When it is dry and cold, they put it on a jar and cover it with extra virgin olive oil.
MAGNIFICO’S PANTRY
At Magnifico, we can help you create a personal stock of preserves and pickled produce. Here is our pantry with a rich selection of sottoli. You will find traditional Italian specialties perfect for an appetizer or aperitivo, as a side dish or even a main course.
