2008 Holiday Items

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Buon Natale from all of us at il Mercato Italiano!

The Holiday Season is such a special time of the year for Italians and every "Italian-at-heart". Enjoy the true pleasures of the season with your friends and family.

Shop our full line of Italian-imported Holiday food items

Cakes & Breads

(Shop our complete line of Italian Holiday Cakes)

PANETTONE - Originally from Milano, Panettone has become the ultimate of Italian holiday cakes. A rich egg bread studded with raisins, candied citron, and laced with a hint of vanilla, it is made with a special natural yeast which gives it a soft and delicate texture. Traditional served after the holiday meal, Panettone can be enjoyed anywhere...anytime. Giving panettone is not only a token of your appreciation, but a gift rich in history and tradition. (Brands we offer: Tre Marie, Maina, Rustichella d' Abruzzo, La Forneria, Fiasconaro)

Serving suggestions: cut in vertical slices, and serve a glass of dessert wine. You may like to try it topped with fresh mascarpone, zabaglione, or Crema di mascarpone (mascarpone, eggs, and Amaretto or other sweet liquor.) Any left overs? It makes delicious fresh toast!

Note: As with all of our products, the Panettone found on our site are all from Italy where there are strict legal rules about how panettone can be made. (For example, butter and beer yeast must be used.)

PANDORO - Pan d'oro (literally: golden bread) second only to Panettone is popularity, is a traditional Italian sweet bread from Verona served throughout the holidays, especially on New Years. Shaped like a 8-pointed star, it is often served with icing made to resemble the snow or a twinkling star. (Brands we offer: Maina, La Forneria)

Serving Suggestions: Cut horizontally so each piece retains it's star-shape and serve with cream, ice cream or zabaglione.

PANFORTE - a specialty of Siena (Tuscany), Panforte is a dense flat cake traditional made with honey, hazelnuts, almonds, candied fruit, cocoa, and spices. Referring to the spicy flavor, Pan Forte literally means "strong bread." (Brand we offer: Pasticceria Sinatti)

Serving Suggestion: Cut in wedges and serve with coffee or a dessert wine after a meal. Panforte can also be enjoyed with coffee at breakfast.

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Torrone and Torroncini

(Shop our complete line of Torrone, Torroncini, and Holiday Chocolate)

TORRONE - Traditional Italian nougat, formed in either large candy bar size (torrone) or bite-size pieces (torroncini), with a history in Italy that is said to date back to the Roman Empire. Torrone is made in two classic textures - hard (somewhat like peanut brittle) and soft (similar to a candy bar), both made with egg whites, honey, sugar cane, and almonds, hazelnuts, or even pistachios or walnuts. Typically served after a holiday feast, torrone is also a perfect snack with afternoon tea or coffee...and makes a great gift for anyone on your list! (Brands we offer: Sperlari, Fiasconaro, Maria Grammatico, Tiu Boele, Tre Marie)

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(Shop our complete line of Holiday Cookies)

AMARETTI - the legend of amaretti's origin date back to the 1700's. Meaning "a tiny bit bitter", Amaretti are made with almonds, sugar, eggs and flour, and baked until they are shiny and chewy or crispy(depending on the version). Amaretti are enjoyed best dipped in red wine after a meal. (Brands we offer: Amaretti Virginia, Lazzaroni, Bonomi)

CANTUCCINI - A specialty from Tuscany, these popular biscuits (biscotti: meaning twice cooked) are cooked in the shape of a loaf, cut into slices, and put in the oven again. Typically, cantuccini are enjoyed at the end of a meal, often dipped in coffee, milk, or a sparkling wine to soften them. (Brands we offer: Antico Forno Santi, Biscottificio Belli - holiday boxed or regular)

RICCIARELLI - dating back to the Renaissance, Ricciarelli is often called marzipan, made with whole fresh almonds crushed just before use, sugar, and honey. Today, these delicate oval-shaped cookies are a popular addition to any gathering. (Brand we offer: Pasticceria Sinatti)

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Other Holiday Items

MARRON GLACES - Marrons (large, meaty chestnuts) found in the Italian Mountains become a delicious and soft-candied fruit after cooked in a sugar syrup. Produced in only a limited quantity, they are appreciated by the most refined palates as a precious gift. (Brand we offer: Tre Marie)

MONTAGNOLI FIGS & FIORONI FIGS by Nicola Colavolpe

TARTUFI ASSORTITE - by Tre Marie

LA FRUTTA MARTORANA (Fruit Marzipan) by Fiasconaro

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