Italian cuisine is a symphony of flavors, and its herbs and spices play a starring role.
Here are 20 essential Italian herbs and spices that will transport you to the sun-kissed hills of Tuscany:
- Basil (Basilico): Fresh, fragrant, and essential for pesto, caprese salads, and tomato-based dishes.
- Oregano (Origano): Robust and earthy—sprinkle it on pizzas and pasta sauces.
- Rosemary (Rosmarino): Woody and aromatic—perfect for roasted meats and potatoes.
- Thyme (Timo): Delicate and versatile—use it in soups, stews, and marinades.
- Sage (Salvia): Earthy and slightly peppery—pairs beautifully with buttery dishes.
- Parsley (Prezzemolo): Fresh and bright—add it to almost anything for a pop of color.
- Marjoram (Maggiorana): Similar to oregano but milder—great for tomato sauces.
- Bay Leaves (Alloro): Mildly aromatic leaves for soups, stews, and braises.
- Garlic (Aglio): Pungent and essential—Italian cooking wouldn’t be the same without it.
- Chili Flakes (Peperoncino): Spicy and fiery—sprinkle them on pizza or pasta.
- Fennel Seeds (Finocchio): Anise-flavored seeds—used in sausages and bread.
- Mint (Menta): Fresh and cooling—think of it in salads and lamb dishes.
- Tarragon (Dragoncello): Slightly licorice-like—pair it with seafood and chicken.
- Chives (Erba Cipollina): Mild onion flavor—great for garnishing.
- Lemon Zest (Scorza di Limone): Bright and citrusy—grate it over pasta or risotto.
- Nutmeg (Noce Moscata): Warm and sweet—use it sparingly in creamy sauces.
- Cinnamon (Cannella): Adds warmth to desserts and savory dishes.
- Cloves (Chiodi di Garofano): Intense and aromatic—use them in spice blends.
- Juniper Berries (Ginepro): Piney and unique—ideal for game meats and stews.
- Saffron (Zafferano): The world’s most expensive spice—infuses risotto and sauces with a golden hue.
For a more indebt explanation of Italian Herbs and Spices, see:
36 Essential Herbs And Spices Used In Italian Cooking – From <https://yourguardianchef.com/36-essential-herbs-and-spices-used-in-italian-cooking/>
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Italian cuisine is a celebration of flavors, and its herb and spice mixes are like the secret ingredients that make every dish sing.
Here are some classic Italian seasoning blends you can easily make at home:
These aromatic treasures infuse Italian dishes with warmth, depth, and that unmistakable flair.
- Italian Seasoning: A harmonious blend of dried herbs—think oregano, basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, sage, and savory. It’s the backbone of countless Italian recipes, from marinara sauces to hearty stews.
- Herbes de Provence: Yes, it’s technically French, but it waltzes seamlessly into Italian cooking. Lavender-kissed and fragrant, it features thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, and marjoram. Drizzle it over roasted veggies or let it dance in tomato-based dishes—Provencal charm meets Tuscan sun.
- Pesto Seasoning: Inspired by the iconic pesto sauce, this blend marries basil, pine nuts (or ground almonds), garlic, nutritional yeast, and olive oil. Slather it on crusty bread, toss it with pasta, or let it swirl into creamy risottos.
- Lemon Pepper: Not strictly Italian, but oh, the zesty brightness! Lemon zest meets black pepper—perfect for grilled tofu, eggplant, or salads. Close your eyes, take a bite, and imagine the Amalfi Coast’s citrus groves.
- Garlic-Herb Blend: A staple in every nonna’s kitchen. Garlic powder cozies up to dried parsley, basil, oregano, and sage. It’s the secret handshake of Italian cooking—marinades, dressings, or a sprinkle over roasted potatoes.
Remember, these blends are like little flavor wizards—sprinkle them into your cooking, and you’ll be creating magic in your kitchen!
So there you have it—a symphony of flavors, a pinch of nostalgia, and a dash of amore.
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Other Resources
Books:
Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices to Boost Health and Beat Disease by Bharat B. Aggarwal with Debora Yost
Where to Purchase Herbs and Spices
Mountain Rose Herbs – Herbs, Spices, Teas, Essential Oils – Organic, ethical and responsible sourcing, sustainability.
Frontier Co-op – Spices, Seasonings, Bulk Products, Herbs, Teas, Extracts & Flavors – We have the “goal of empowering smallholder farmers to bring ready-to-eat spices and teas into U.S. markets.”
Basic Italian Dishes
The following list is from Plantiful Based – https://plantifullybasedblog.com/ – great site and food. Check out the following page to learn more about traveling in Italy.
Vegan In Italy: A Guide to the Best Food! – https://plantifullybasedblog.com/2024/04/15/vegan-in-italy-a-guide-to-the-best-food/ at
Before we go into the restaurants I went to and ones I wanted to try I want to give you a list of things you should be able to eat anywhere. There is so much food in Italy that is just naturally vegan.
- Bruschetta pomodoro: this is just toasted bread with tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and garlic. It is so yummy and most restaurants should have this on the menu. I even found some places had it with olive tapenade as well.
- Pizza marinara: just a regular pizza with sauce and olive oil. There’s no cheese and it really is so delicious. You can always ask to throw some veggies on top!
- Carciofi alla Romana: these are Roman style artichokes. They are cooked with olive oil and seasonings, so delicious. There are also whole fried artichokes Carciofi alla Guida that are amazing.
- Pasta pomodoro: this is just pasta in tomato sauce, I always made sure to specify no cheese just in case. *NOTE ABOUT PASTA: in Italy a lot of restaurants offer fresh pasta which is made with egg. So just look out on the menu for anything that says pasta made by hand, pasta made in house, pasta fresca. You want to look at the menu for pasta secca which means dried pasta. Typically, penne or spaghetti is a safe bet for dry pasta.
- Pasta arrabbiata: this is my favorite pasta. It is a spicy tomato sauce and it is so good.
- Patate al forno: roasted potatoes! There are a lot of restaurants with roasted potatoes on the menu or you can get patate fritti which is fried potatoes.
- Rapini or Friarielli: this broccoli rabe. I grew up eating and loving broccoli rabe usually cooked in oil, garlic, and some red pepper flakes. Even better throw in on some bread for a sandwich.
- Focaccia: a fluffy thick bread, one of my favorites. I also have a recipe on the blog if you ever want to make your own.
- Panini: these are just sandwiches but you can always ask to just get a bunch of vegetables on your sandwich.
- Sorbet: most gelato shops have at least 1 to 2 sorbet options. You can always double check if the flavor is good for vegans. I love lemon on a hot day after walking around it is so refreshing!
- Pasta fagioli: this is not always vegan so it is important to ask. But it is just usually beans and pasta in a soup, so delicious and hearty.
Vegan Food Blogs
65 Plant-Based Italian Recipes – https://theplantbasedschool.com/vegan-italian-recipes/
Sweet Simple Vegan – Italian – https://sweetsimplevegan.com/category/italian/
Italian & Vegan – https://italianandvegan.com/recipes/
50 Vegan Italian Recipes – https://justinpluslauren.com/vegan-italian-recipes/
These 11 Recipes Prove Italy Was Always a Plant-Based Destination – https://vegnews.com/recipes-italy-plant-based
20 Best-Ever Vegan Italian Recipes – https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/vegan-menus-collections/best-ever-vegan-italian-recipes/
30 Spectacular Vegan Italian Recipes – Delicious and Dairy-free – https://hurrythefoodup.com/vegan-italian-recipes/
Vegan Italian Recipes – https://www.veganricha.com/category/italian/page/2/
15 Awesome Vegan Italian Recipes To Try Today – https://eatlikeanitalian.com/vegan-italian-recipes/
30 vegan Italian recipes for an authentic taste of Italy – https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/vegan-recipes/top-15-vegan-italian-recipes/
Italian Vegan Recipes – https://veganuary.com/recipes/categories/italian-vegan-recipes/
25 Authentic Vegan Italian Recipes – https://wowitsveggie.com/vegan-italian-recipes/
10 Vegan Italian Dishes You’ve Never Heard Of – https://www.thenomadicvegan.com/10-vegan-italian-dishes-youve-never-heard-of/
20+ Delicious Vegan Italian Recipes – https://nutriciously.com/vegan-italian-recipes/
27+ Delectable Vegan Italian Recipes – https://theveganatlas.com/delectable-vegan-italian-recipes/
4 Italian Foods You Didn’t Know Were Vegan – https://pastaevangelists.com/blogs/blog/4-italian-foods-you-didnt-know-were-vegan