Please note this item has a Best Before date of 30/07/2013 and has been discounted for this reason. You can rest assured it has been kept in an ideal storage environment and will remain in perfect condition for well beyond this date. You also have our full-refund peace of mind guarantee if you aren't completely satisfied with it.

A great chance to get hold of a gourmet pesto from Sicily at a great price. Don't miss out - very few pieces remaining.

The Fennel pesto from Etna Conserve is one of the most unique and delightfully tasting Italian pesto sauces.

Combining the lovely taste of wild fennel with Italy's finest sundried tomatoes, olive oils and capers produces a pesto sauce that is a true delicacy of the Med and found in countless recipes. Perfect not only for bread toppings but also to accompany pastas, this pesto sauce is a rare delight and a little gem exclusively from Sicily.

Large format size, perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.

Delicious and sumptuous Sicilian capers preserved in sea salt. Capers from Sicily are amongst the finest in the world and are bursting with fragrance and flavour. Capers are also one of the healthiest ingredients around and extensively used in Mediterranean cuisine.

Salt is an essential ingredient for capers, allowing them to ripen and maintain all their quality. Before eating, rinse them with water to remove the salt then dry and season with extra virgin olive oil. Use in salads, on pizzas, in pasta sauces or grind up to make a pesto. They are very versatile and can be added to a huge number of recipes to add a little of their inimitable flavour.

Excellent value catering-size product from the Campo D'Oro range. 2.9kg Net weight jar

Please note this item has a Best Before date of 23/08/2013 and has been discounted for this reason. You can rest assured it has been kept in an ideal storage environment and will remain in perfect condition for well beyond this date. You also have our full-refund peace of mind guarantee if you aren't completely satisfied with it.

A great chance to get hold of some artisan produced semi-dried tomatoes at a great price. Don't miss out - very few pieces remaining.

Award winning semi-dried (sunblushed) tomatoes by the Licata family in Sicily.

These tomatoes are THE undisputed star of any antipasto platter.

Pachino IGP Cherry tomatoes, arguably the finest cherry tomatoes in the world, are semi-dried in the Sicilian sunshine (not in ovens as most commercial versions) and rest in the Licata family's own extra-virgin olive oil with a seasoning of sunflower oil, fresh basil and a hint of garlic.

Once the tomatoes are harvested, they are sliced in half and local sea salt is added by hand. They are then laid in long rows on tables outside where the piercing Sicilian sun begins to dry them and concentrate all their natural sweetness and flavour. After 2-3 days, when they are partially dry and still tender and moist, they are placed in extra-virgin olive oil and aromatic herbs, then jarred.

By semi-drying (or sunblushing as the Marketing people like to say) the tomatoes retain their freshness but enjoy a more pronounced sweetness and concentration of natural flavours. Perfect for hundreds of dishes, they require no effort at all, just open the jar and enjoy!

Large Catering-size jar: 2.9kg Net weight

HOW TO USE - SUGGESTIONS

Once you open the jar, they won't last long!

Enjoy them on their own as a starter or bruschetta style topping on toast, focaccia, ciabatta or crusty bread.

They make a delicious addition to a cheese platter - try with fresh ricotta, goat's cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan or fresh Pecorino (chilli pecorino works particularly well).

Use them as a memorable pizza topping or add them to pasta or rice with a little EV olive oil and Parmesan.

They bring fresh salads to life (mix them with more humble fresh tomatoes) or try them with pasta, rice or potato salads.

They make a truly invigorating sandwich filler.

Use them as a side complement to cold meats or with roasts. They are outstanding baked with fish.

They will brighten up any "normal" tomato sauce to use over pasta or rice.

TIP

When you've finished them, keep the seasoning and use as a nice Sicilian marinade.

STORAGE

Once opened, store in the fridge and use within 1 month.

A selection of finest Sicilian mixed vegetables, sliced and prepared ready to serve as an individual antipasto or appetiser. Artichokes, carrots, olives, peppers and garlic rest in a dressing of olive oil and aromatic herbs.

This is one of the most popular starters in Italy and lovely as part of any antipasto platter. Often served alongside a selection of cured meats or cheeses and drizzled with some flavoured oils or shavings of Parmesan.

Large catering-size jars from the delicious Campo D'Oro range. Excellent value.

This is the 5 litre version of the White Label Balsamic Vinegar IGT from Compagnia del Monte.

A vibrant and young authentic Balsamic Vinegar from Modena. Produced from the sweetest local trebbiano grapes, the white label is aged for a minimum of 6 months to give a subtle undertone of wood and a lovely rounded acidity.

This is a classic everyday balsamic and can be used just like a normal wine vinegar, but yields a much more elegant and sophisticated taste. It is ideal for salads, dressings, combining with olive oil to create a dip or for using in gravies, stocks, meat sauces and for marinading.

Comes in 5 litre PET Container. Just £5.20/litre.

Learn all about real Balsamic Vinegar.

If you need any help or advice on any aspect of your event menu, don't hesitate to contact one of our team on 01227 261909 or customerservice@mediterraneandirect.co.uk

Please note this item has a Best Before date of 30/07/2013 and has been discounted for this reason. You can rest assured it has been kept in an ideal storage environment and will remain in perfect condition for well beyond this date. You also have our full-refund peace of mind guarantee if you aren't completely satisfied with it.

A great chance to get hold of a gourmet Italian starter at a great price. Don't miss out - last piece remaining.

A delightful and tasty antipasto from Sicily. The flesh from premium quality Sicilian aubergines is filleted and then combined with natural aromatic herbs, spices and a hint of chilli to produce a magnificent taste of the Mediterranean.

Delicious on its own served on crostini, toast or crackers. They can also be used in pasta or rice salads, risottos and as a pairing for cheese, cured meats and hams as well as grilled meats. Easy! Another classic tapenade to add to the platter.

Not sure which Italian starters to choose or quantities per person? Drop us a line, we can advise on the most suitable menu, quantities, serving suggestions etc. to make sure your event is a fantastic success!

01227 261909 or customerservice@mediterraneandirect.co.uk

Delicious charcoal-grilled artichokes from Puglia in olive oil.

Artichokes from Southern Italy are renowned for their fullness of flavour which is captured even more when grilled. They rest in a traditional Puglian dressing and make a wonderful antipasto or side dish. Try them with crostini or toast, they also accompany meat based main courses and are delightful in cold pasta or rice salads.

If you like artichokes and haven't tried them from Puglia, we'd recommend you give these a whirl.

Only £9.79/kg

Also available in 1.7kg and 5 kg formats, please contact us for details.

Not sure which Italian starters to choose or quantities per person? Drop us a line, we can advise on the most suitable menu, quantities, serving suggestions etc. to make sure your event is a fantastic success!

01227 261909 or customerservice@mediterraneandirect.co.uk

The most famous and common variety of Italian rice. Arborio is renowned for its high starch content, great for creamy risottos and its large rounded grain that keeps its shape well during cooking and provides a more al dente taste and texture.  Arborio is versatile enough to combine beautifully with any kind of dish but is especially suited as a base for risotto.

This is a Superior Category Arborio rice (the highest quality) cultivated in the famous rice growing area of Vercelli, Piedmont.

Cooks in 15-18 minutes.

One of the best antipasto around. This pate' is crammed with all the classic and tastiest Sicilian vegetables (60% content!), brilliantly infused with capers, artichokes, tomatoes, chillies, mint and oregano.

It's very versatile, perfect for crostini, toast or spreading on soft bread. Its lovely fresh spicy vegetable flavour also lends itself perfectly as an addition to sauces and casseroles and as a side for roasts or grilled meats.

Need any help choosing the food for your event? Please get in touch. We are experts at creating Italian menus and can advise on all aspects of this crucial part of any event.

01227 261909 or customerservice@mediterraneandirect.co.uk

Delicious Sicilian black Nocellara olives in a lovely spicy oil to add a bit of chilli kick. The olives are from groves nestling in the shadow of Mount Etna, a wonderfully fertile area producing some of the Mediterranean's tastiest fruits. Spicy black olives are also one of the Med's classic antipasto dishes, served all over the south of Italy.

These olives, selected by artisan expert Simone Asero at Etna Conserve, are full flavoured and are an excellent way to keep your guests nibbling until the main course.

Spicy green olives are also available, try mixing together for a lovely presentation and blend of tastes. Check out the whole red chilli in the jar, which is nice to serve together as well.

Incredible value at £7.49/kg

Also available in 1.7kg and 5kg versions. Please contact us for details.

Not sure which Italian starters to choose or quantities per person? Drop us a line, we can advise on the most suitable menu, quantities, serving suggestions etc. to make sure your event is a fantastic success!

01227 261909 or customerservice@mediterraneandirect.co.uk

Classic Sicilian Nocellara olives in brine. They work perfectly as table olives for everyday use, in antipasti or can be added to a variety of pasta sauces and salads. Healthy, delicious and at this price, amazing value!

These olives are grown in the fertile soils surrounding Mount Etna, one of the best fruit growing zones in the Med!

Only £7.39/kg

Also available in 1.7kg and 5kg versions. Please contact us for details.

Not sure which Italian starters to choose or quantities per person? Drop us a line, we can advise on the most suitable menu, quantities, serving suggestions etc. to make sure your event is a fantastic success!

01227 261909 or customerservice@mediterraneandirect.co.uk

Delicious Aubergine Paté from the award winning range of Paté by Etna Conserve in Sicily.

Ripe Sicilian aubergines are combined with aromatic Italian herbs and spices to produce a smooth, super-tasty paté. This is ideal for spreading onto crusty bread, crackers or crostini (small squares of toast is fine) or enjoying alongside a mixed vegetable antipasto. Also excellent as a dip for amny things including pinzimonio di verdure or raw vegetables.

Perfect party food as part of selection of appetizers.

This is a large 1kg jar of aubergine paté from Sicily.

Need any help choosing the food for your event? Please get in touch. We are experts at creating Italian menus and can advise on all aspects of this crucial part of any event.

01227 261909 or customerservice@mediterraneandirect.co.uk