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The Kitchen Garden Cooking School

Italy: Aromatics


A base for most of the world's cuisines. In Italy anything fresh from the garden goes in to the pot.

Onion

Onion

Topping this list are onions. Yellow onions are used mostly but look for the lovely spring onions and the squat cippolini. Check out onion's "Love Affairs".

Shallot

Shallot

Shallots may be cooked whole, oven roasted or finely chopped to season "Vinaigrette Dressings". Check out shallot's "Love Affairs".

Leek

Leek

With a mild onion flavor, leeks are best cooked. Leeks are a natural source of inulin, which supports good gut bacteria. Sounds good to me. Check out leek's "Love Affairs".

Garlic

Garlic

Loved around the world for it's pungent flavor that works with every cuisine without exception. Thinly sliced, finely chopped, smashed, or put through a garlic press and used either raw, sautéed, or roasted. Check out garlic's "Love Affairs".

Carrot

Carrot

Carrots, finely chopped and softened in oil or butter, are the base of many Italian recipes. Check out onion's "Love Affairs".

Celery

Celery

Celery is popular throughout Europe and the US as an aromatic used in soups, stews, and casseroles. Check out celery's "Love Affairs".

Celeriac

Celeriac

An aromatic vegetable that is a stand-in for celery with a root crop endurance in the fridge. Must be peeled before using. Check out celeriac's "Love Affairs".

Fennel Bulb

Fennel Bulb

For a kick of licorice, add some finely chopped fennel buld to your broths, soups, and stews. Check out fennel's "Love Affairs".

Parsnip

Parsnip

Traditionally used in Europe to sweeten desserts before sugar became widely available. Roast and caramelize parsnips to bring out their natural sweetness. Smaller roots are most flavorful and tender. Check out parsnip's "Love Affairs".