tomko2 Posted May 13, 2009 #1 Share Posted May 13, 2009 We are going on a 12 night cruise this summer from Barcelona and will have several stops in Italy. I would love to bring some food item back, e.g. dried pasta, truffle oil, etc. Looking for ideas/suggestions/recommendations. If you were going to Italy what food item would you most want to buy and bring home? Thanks Kathy:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisecatmama Posted May 13, 2009 #2 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Parmigiano Reggiano, porcini secco, olio extra vergine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomko2 Posted May 14, 2009 Author #3 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Thank you for the suggestions. Porcini secco = dried porcini mushrooms? I will check our import regulations to see if I can bring back cheese. Kathy:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisecatmama Posted May 14, 2009 #4 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Porcini secco = dried porcini mushrooms?/quote] Yes :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mezzaluna Posted May 14, 2009 #5 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Yes, you can bring back dried porcini mushrooms so long as the packageis sealed. I brought home a large package from Florence. What's nice about the dried ones (besides the fact they're lightweight) is that you can use them whole or grind them in a spice mill to use in sauces, soups, etc. Cheese must be vacuum sealed. Sealed jars and cans should be okay, too. Just be sure they're not put in the suitcase near your best formal gown! :eek: I believe Magellan's or TravelSmith sell sleeves you can put wine or oil bottles in to prevent breakage. Besides food, I have also brought home kitchen tools and cookware. I bought a set of cast aluminum saucepans with cast iron handles when I was in France many years ago. I chose not to ship them, so my suitcases weighed a ton! When we were in Italy in '02 I bought a mezzaluna. On our Alaska cruise I bought an ulu (Inuit version of a mezzaluna). In Switzerland I bought a turning fork for $12, which cost four times as much in the US. In France in '98 I bought a nice mandoline for half the price in the US. All of those are among my favorite souvenirs of my travels. And, you don't have to worry about agricultural restrictions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bethwte Posted May 14, 2009 #6 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I hope the OP doesn't mind me sneaking in here with my own related question. I read somewhere that cheese being brought back needs to be shrinkwrapped, however I saw nothing about that on the dept. or agriculture's website, nor the site for customs and border protection. Can someone with experience bringing it back enlighten me? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomko2 Posted May 14, 2009 Author #7 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I hope the OP doesn't mind me sneaking in here with my own related question. I read somewhere that cheese being brought back needs to be shrinkwrapped, however I saw nothing about that on the dept. or agriculture's website, nor the site for customs and border protection. Can someone with experience bringing it back enlighten me? Thanks! Glad you asked the question. I would love to bring back some cheese from Italy. Kathy:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisecatmama Posted May 14, 2009 #8 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Aged cheeses are OK to bring back, but not fresh cheese, regardless of packaging... The cryovac packaging on aged cheeses prevents spoilage and eliminates odors in your suitcase. I always bring back a big piece of Parmigiano Reggiano and last year I also brought home a couple different types of pecorino Toscano... yummmmmm..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDOTCRUISR Posted May 18, 2009 #9 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Does anyone know the regulations for dried porcini mushrooms and cheeses for Canada? -thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janchor Posted May 20, 2009 #10 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Does anyone know the regulations for dried porcini mushrooms and cheeses for Canada? -thanks According to Canadian Border Services website you can bring in up to 20 kg of cheese worth up to $20.00 and it cannot be packed in whey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janchor Posted May 20, 2009 #11 Share Posted May 20, 2009 And 20 kg of dried vegetables too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomko2 Posted May 20, 2009 Author #12 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Janchor, thanks for the info! Kathy:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin250 Posted June 5, 2009 #13 Share Posted June 5, 2009 We brought back tins of olive oil from a farm we visited, also had olive spread...mmmm... Wish we would have taken bubble wrap and packaging to bring back wine:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomko2 Posted June 5, 2009 Author #14 Share Posted June 5, 2009 We brought back tins of olive oil from a farm we visited, also had olive spread...mmmm...Wish we would have taken bubble wrap and packaging to bring back wine:cool: I have bubble wrap ready to go in my suitcase. Hoping to find some aged balsamic vinegar at a better price than here. :) Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin250 Posted June 10, 2009 #15 Share Posted June 10, 2009 It's not food but one of the farms we visited had this homemade soap with olive oil that I LOVE, I originally bought a few extra bars for gifts but liked them so much I kept them :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted June 12, 2009 #16 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I stuck to the Olive Oil and dried pastas just because I didn't want to deal with a hassle at customs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin250 Posted June 14, 2009 #17 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Be kind of careful when you buy packaged spice mixes. We bought a couple bags of Pasta Arribiati (sp) mixes and found creepy crawlers in them when we got back on the ship, this was in Rome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomko2 Posted June 14, 2009 Author #18 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Be kind of careful when you buy packaged spice mixes. We bought a couple bags of Pasta Arribiati (sp) mixes and found creepy crawlers in them when we got back on the ship, this was in Rome. Ugh! Thanks for the warning. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawbs1 Posted June 17, 2009 #19 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Parmagianna reggiano!!! And I second the advice to be careful about oil-packed bottles. I had a seeping jar of pesto once that I caught just in time. I actually gave up on the wine thing. Prices aren't a lot better over there than in my local wine shop and with the "liquids" rule in effect, it's such a pain to put it in your suitcase. The added weight, even if you have a hard case, just isn't worth it. I got a gnocchi board last time I was in Italy. I know REAL cooks use a fork but I once saw the gnocchi board on the Food Channel and I simply had to have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N&PJ Posted June 17, 2009 #20 Share Posted June 17, 2009 All the above food items are fabulous from Italy, but in addition very old (15 year and up) Balsamic vinegar is a must bring-back for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomko2 Posted June 17, 2009 Author #21 Share Posted June 17, 2009 All the above food items are fabulous from Italy, but in addition very old (15 year and up) Balsamic vinegar is a must bring-back for us. I am definitely going to be checking on the prices of the aged Balsamic; I just paid $25.00 for 250 ml of Il Nosizio Condimento Balsamic. Kathy:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchylover Posted June 20, 2009 #22 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Just to add a few: Sun dried tomatoes-yummy. Buy them in a bag, so no oil or water to leak and add water when you need them. We also brought back Limoncello and honey. Also, try a local grocery store (coop is one in Italy) and look to see what strikes you. Local cookies, candies, etc make great souveniers and gifts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyintampa Posted October 24, 2009 #23 Share Posted October 24, 2009 Last time I brought back olive oil and balsamico and a big bag of shelled chestnuts that I picked up at Campo Fiore in Rome. In all of my travels, I try to grab a spice or two, and a interesting (funny looking or named) candy or other sweet to share with those back home. My son, who is 23 now and self professed foodie, is also a tea snob. So if I can find any loose leaf tea, I grab some. I always pack several different sized (sandwich, quart, gallon, 2 gallon) ziploc bags in addition to the small bubble bubble-wrap and duct tape. You don't need the whole heavy roll. I was making my own small rolls. Now to save MY time, I go to the auto parts store and pick up a mini roll of duct tape for a buck and just keep it in the suitcase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroncosFan2010 Posted October 25, 2009 #24 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m steve Posted October 27, 2009 #25 Share Posted October 27, 2009 truffle and porchini jarred sauces, dried porchini mushrooms, multi colored pasta strips and jarred truffles. Oil and vinegar I can buy here as well as Parmasan cheese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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