Everyone is craving a little bit of comfort right now. A nourishing meal that can be enjoyed at home, that’s accessible to both newfound cooks and seasoned chefs alike. When I think about foods that feel like a warm blanket, my mind immediately goes to all of the simple pantry ingredients that together, yield the beautifully rustic pasta dished that I grew up on and continue to turn to when I’m hungry for something wholesome and familiar.
As we continue to practice social distancing, it is becoming increasingly less ideal to venture out to large supermarkets to restock our pantries with quality essentials. Online grocery sites are overwhelmed, with wildly distant delivery slots. It’s the perfect time to support small, local businesses; especially those that are open and committed to feeding their communities. One humble shop that is doing it in a big way is Pastaio Via Corta in Massachusetts. Owner and pastaia Danielle Glantz, Chez Panisse alumna, is coming up on celebrating four years of providing organic fresh and dried pastas, as well as a vast selection of Italian provisions and natural wines to her Gloucester community and beyond. Danielle makes, packs and sells her pasta and provisions daily, offering curbside pick up, local delivery and timely shipping all over the United States. Here is a selection of her items that will keep your pantry well stocked with real Italian non-perishables, all sourced from farmers, families and small producers in Italy. Local delivery and curbside pick up orders can be called in via the “Pasta Hotline” at 978-868-5005. All other orders for shipment can be placed through the Pastaio Via Corta website.
Pastaio Via Corta Pasta
Danielle’s bronze dye extruded and handmade organic pasta is made from stone-ground wheat that is sourced on the northeast and is milled to order. Hand bagged and stamped, her pasta is sold by the pound in a variety of shapes like fusilli, casarecce and radiatore.
Gustarosso San Marzano Tomatoes DOP
Imported from DaniCoop in Sarno, Gustarosso supports the Presidio Slow Food foundation and works with local farmers that grow and harvest real San Marzano tomatoes.
Vicopisano Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Made from 100% Frantoio olives, this Tuscan olive oil is pungent with a hint of spice. Enjoy the robust flavor in its’ purest form with some crusty bread, or drizzled over a salad.
Trapani Sale di Gucciardo
Trapani Sale di Gucciardo is sundried, mineral-rich sea salt from Trapani, Sicily that is completely unrefined and untreated. It’s a perfect table salt as well as for everyday cooking.
Sant’Eustachio Coffee
Hailing from one of the most iconic caffes in Rome, Italy, Sant’ Eustacchio’s single origin coffee is made of 100% Arabica beans that are roasted over French Oak. Complex, round and smooth in flavor, Danielle carries their whole beans, coffee for moka, filtro, as well as decaffeinated. Their chocolate-covered espresso beans are a must!
Balsabamo 6 La Cà Dal Non Condimento
Mariangela Montanari produces this six-year barrel-aged balsamico condimento with organic grapes that are grown on her vineyard in Vignola. The concentrated sweetness comes from the combination of grape must or saba, and the vinegar that is aged and bottled in her restored vinegar cellar turned acetaia. It’s perfect to use in cooking as well as for finishing dishes.
Bio Alberti Dried Beans
The Alberti family has been organically growing beans in Poggio Aquilone, Umbria, for generations. Danielle carries three varieties; cannellini, borlotti, and cicerchie. Soak them overnight, drain, simmer and then serve as you wish. The cannellini and borlotti beans work really well in soups and stews, and the cicerchie, an ancient version of the chickpea, are wonderful in pasta dishes or pureed.
Marco Colzani Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
One of the most irresistible combinations ever created, Marco Colzani marries Piemonte IGP hazelnuts with roasted, single-origin raw cacao beans and cane sugar for a simple yet decadent spread. It’s delicious on toast, drizzled over gelato or even by the spoonful!