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Italy

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Italy

Italian snacks right to your doorstep! That’s right, April’s SnackCrate country of the month is Italy. Within your crate, you’ll find enough snacks to fill up the Colosseum. Well, maybe not that many, but you will find decadent Italian chocolate, gummy fruit-flavored dinosaurs, savory prosciutto biscuits, and an assortment of other delicious Italian snacks!

Italy shares borders with six countries: San Marino, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Vatican City, and France.

In the small town of Caldari di Ortona, a free wine fountain flows 24 hours a day.

Three active volcanoes are located in Europe, and all three reside in Italy.

Italy is the fifth-most visited country in the world. Approximately 65 million people visit the country every year.

An idyllic land paved with vineyards, towering mountains, and over 1500 lakes, Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. This historic country is home to several notable cities, including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Naples.

Across its boot-shaped peninsula, Italy contains a diverse set of geographic features. In Northern Italy, you’ll find the dramatic Italian Alps, snowy mountains that stretch into the long and winding valley of the River Po. Further south into Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, Italy is dominated by rolling hills. Venture to the southernmost portions of the country, and you’ll find two coastal plains. The eastern plain is composed of a semi-arid climate, whereas the western maintains a cooler Mediterranean climate.

Notable landmarks lodged throughout Italy include the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Duomo di Milano, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pantheon, and many more. Family, the arts, architecture, and food are all pillars of Italian culture. Many admired culinary creations also originated in Italy: pizza, pasta, risotto, gnocchi, gelato, and tiramisu included!

Let's get to the good stuff

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Let's get cooking!

Send your tastebuds to one of the tastiest places on Earth as you recreate an Italian favorite, right from your own kitchen!

Pasta e Fagioli

Translating to “pasta and beans,” Pasta e Fagioli is a hearty and popular traditional Italian stew. Many variations of the stew exist across Italy, but most include a combination of cannellini beans, navy beans, elbow macaroni, ditalini, and a variety of fresh vegetables. Popularized by everything from Italian immigrants to pop culture and music, in recent decades Pasta e Fagioli has migrated across the globe. One of the most famous references to Pasta e Fagioli is in the lyrics of Warren and Brooks’ hit song “That’s Amore” (popularized by Dean Martin in 1953).

Total time

45 minutes

Serves

3-5

Difficulty

Moderate

image of ingredients listed below spread out on a white table

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces pancetta, diced
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 large carrot, finely diced
2 ribs celery, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, with their juices
1 15-ounce can red beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp crushed fennel seed
4 ounces elbow macaroni or ditalini
¼ cup grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions

image of current step being described in text below

Step One

Peel and dice onion, carrot, and celery. Crush fennel seeds with a mortar & pestle, and grate parmesan cheese.

Step Two

Heat the olive oil in a 4-5 quart pot over medium-low heat. Add the pancetta and cook until the fat begins to render, about 5 minutes.

Step Three

Add the onions, carrots, and celery and increase the heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions become translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 additional minute, stirring constantly so the garlic doesn't burn.

Step Four

Add the broth, salt, pepper, beans, tomatoes, fennel, oregano, and basil. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently, covered, until the carrots and celery are tender, about 15 minutes.

Step Five

Remove lid and turn the heat up to a gentle boil. Add the pasta and stir to incorporate. Cook until the pasta is al dente, 8 to 12 minutes depending on the type of pasta.