Sun-kissed, juicy-sweet and vitamin-rich, tomatoes are the heart and soul of Italian cuisine. Right now, our suppliers in Campania – home of San Marzano and Mt. Vesuvius – and in Puglia are busy harvesting and preserving these delicious treasures so we can enjoy them all year long. Italy boasts some of the world’s most cherished varieties of heirloom tomatoes, carefully stewarded by Italian farmers for generations.
The Piennolo del Vesuvio, from Naples, has PDO protected status for its particular characteristics and flavor profile. Grown in the rich, volcanic soil of Mt. Vesuvius, the tomato’s sweet and tart minerality is a direct result of the hot sun, coastal breeze, and lack of manmade irrigation. Piennolos are also extraordinarily high in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. They are commonly hung up and dried in bunches tied with hemp string, hence the name “piennolo”, meaning “hanging” in Neapolitan dialect. A wonderfully versatile tomato, Piennolos make a beautiful and flavorful topping for pizza and bruschetta, and also pair exceptionally well with seafood and buffalo mozzarella.
San Marzano DOP tomatoes also benefit from the potassium-rich volcanic soil of Mt. Vesuvius, and have become world-famous for their versatility and flavor: a delightful blend of sweetness, umami, and balanced acidity. These tomatoes are long and slender with a pointed tip, with a firm texture and earthy flavor which makes them ideal for pizza and pasta sauces.
We source our Piennolo and San Marzano tomatoes from Italianavera, an entrepreneurial, female-owned company. Inspired by her childhood in the San Marzano region, owner Diana Attianese's goal was to bring the homemade tomato sauces from her youth to the rest of the world. Her brand combines the fresh, pure flavors of her home with gorgeous packaging.
Shop these special heirloom tomatoes, and enjoy the fresh taste of pure Italian sunshine.