Edible Souvenirs from Italy

From Farmer’s Markets to Supermarkets

I go to markets the way other people go to museums.

It’s the first thing I do, whether I’m in a new country, a new town or just across the city. I do seek out a farmers’ market if there is one. But not just the romantic, postcard-perfect farmers’ markets. I am also a huge fan of supermarkets. Especially supermarkets. Because if you really want to understand how locals eat, and what they actually buy, that’s where the story is. I still think about the weird and wonderful things I came across in the frozen food aisles of the supermarket in Reykjavik.

I visit market with a purpose, not just out of curiosity (although there’s plenty of that), but because I’m always on the lookout for things worth bringing home: edible souvenirs that actually mean something, that capture a place in a way nothing else quite can. Of course I can probably get something similar (or even the exact same thing) back home, but there is something about the can of tuna from Barcelona that just tastes different, right?

And since I know I’m not the only one who shops this way when they travel, I’ve put together a list of what you can look for in Italy, whether at a farmers’ market or a supermarket. I’ll share some of my favorite places to shop in Rome, Florence, and Venice, along with a few in Puglia, Parma, and Sicily.

I’ll also get into the practical side of things: what’s worth buying, what travels well, and yes, what you can (and can’t) bring back with you. I’ll also share a few tips on how to spot the kind of market that’s actually worth your time.

So what’s actually worth buying, and bringing home?

This is the part where I tell you what should actually end up in your bag. Here are my tips and also a few of my past videos from on the ground, doing the hard reporting from the aisles of Italian markets. And a downloadable PDF of some of my favorite spots around Italy.