What Are Some Italian Spices?

Spices such as corriander, fennel seeds and nutmeg are used in authentic Italian cooking.

Although the Italians are better known for their use of herbs, they also use spices in moderation to provide flavor and aroma, add color and act as a preservative. Spices come in fresh, whole, dried and pre-ground forms. While herbs are leafy greens, spices are seeds, bark, roots, fruits or other vegetative substances. There are many different spices used in authentic Italian cooking.

Saffron

Saffron gives food a distinctive yellow color.

Although saffron is typically produced and exported from Iran, small quantities are also produced in Italy. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, due to the fact that it's difficult to collect. To produce one pound of saffron, 100,000 strands of it are needed...and a typical saffron flower only has three strands. Prior to cooking, saffron strands are soaked in water to further enhance its distinctive bitter flavor. Saffron is used to provide aroma and spice to Italian dishes such as risotto.

Capers

Capers are used on fish to enhance the flavor.

Capers, which come from the Italian island of Pantelleria, are dried flower buds that are soaked in salt or vinegar. They provide a salty and pungent flavor to sauces and dishes containing fish, but they're also used in salads, to season meats and as a pizza topping. Due to their high salt content, capers are used sparingly and typically rinsed before they're added to recipes.

Nutmeg

Whole nutmeg can be purchased and ground so it's in its freshest form.

Although derived from the fruit of an evergreen tree that's native to Indonesia, nutmeg is a traditional spice used in authentic Italian cooking. It's added to desserts and sweet dishes, as well as meat dishes such as lamb and sausage. It also brings out the flavor of spinach and cheese sauces. Nutmeg is used in its freshest form and grated, but it can also be purchased pre-ground.

Coriander

Coriander is the seeds of the cilantro plant.

Coriander is used in many authentic Italian recipes for its slightly sweet flavor. It comes from the same plant from which cilantro is derived; coriander is the seeds. It is used to flavor meat dishes, such as sausage and fish, but is also used in bread-making, providing delightful citrus overtones.

Fennel Seed

Fennel seeds taste and smell like black licorice.

Fennel seed is another popular spices used in Italian cooking. The seeds for fennel spice are gathered from the same plant that produces fennel herb. Fennel has a very distinctive licorice taste and aroma. It's used in Italian sausages, meatballs and pasta sauces and is commonly found in sauces containing peppers onions and sausage. It's also used in baking and various fruit dishes.

References

• E Rcps; Capers as Used in Italian Cooking; 2011
• Italian Cook; Spices & Herbs Dictionary; 2002
• Italian Traditional Food; Saffron The Spice Of Choice; April 2011

Resources

• Easy Italian Cooking; Common Italian Spices; 2008