Of course, we have Parmigiano Reggiano, basil, and tomatoes. And we can’t forget extra virgin olive oil, rice, and mozzarella. But we’d be doing our brilliant and creative cuisine a disservice if we didn’t admit we use pretty much everything Mother Earth offers us and turn it into something good to eat.

It certainly comes from the rural roots of our society and from people’s natural ability to make do with what’s available, but there is a lot of culinary ingenuity in it, too, the same that made Italian cuisine one of the simplest yet tastiest in the world. Consider this article a short note to keep near your pantry, just a little reminder of the many things you can do with simple, unexpected ingredients when you cook an Italian meal.