Dolce Nonna Marinated Vegetables

Dolce Nonna is a line of delicious hand-packed, Italian-style marinated vegetables. There are three ready-to-serve varieties to choose from (and more currently in development): Marinated Eggplant, Marinated String Beans and Agri-Dolce Peppers. All are made from owner Gisella Civale's treasured family recipes and contain only the highest quality, all-natural ingredients.

We sampled all three as part of a light tapas-style meal. We enjoyed the Marinated String Beans, which are made with Chinese Long Pole Beans, as part of an antipasti assortment. We used the Agri-Dolce Peppers, along with some grated romano cheese, as a topping for bruschetta, and we combined the Marinated Eggplant with pasta and a bit of fresh parsley for a cold side salad. The whole meal preparation couldn't have been any easier.

What struck us most about Dolce Nonna's products were the pungent, layered flavors of the vinegar, Sicilian spices, herbs, and the firm texture of the vegetables. They're a great choice to have on hand for easy, impromptu gatherings or quick meals that taste like you've slaved in the kitchen for hours.

$8.00 from DolceNonnas.com and select gourmet retailers.