I have never been to Europe. I have always wanted to go to Italy. The food, people and land is amazing I hear. This morning I sure got a taste of what Italy would be like. I want to go!!!
Organic Preserves by San Matteo Farms.
San Matteo Farm is nestled between the enchanting Gulf of Taormina and Mount Etna. The climate is mild and the soil is volcanic and highly fertile. The farm's owner, Carlo Limone, is a passionate and skillful organic farmer. His production is artisanal. He does not use preservatives and instead of using caster sugar he uses wheat syrup. Now do you understand why his fruit preserves are so good? Some of Carlo's preserves and marmalade's incorporate unique combinations of ingredients. Organic Sicilian Orange and Coffee; Organic Apple and Rosemary; Organic Apple and Grapefruit... and then there are the simple pleasure of his 100% Organic Mandarins or 100% Organic Sicilian Oranges. Enjoy on toast or as a condiment with meat or cheese. I got the Apple Rosemary and I have got to tell you. It was amazing! Truly like nothing else I have ever tried.
Our preserves use THE BEST available fruits and vegetables... YOUR GRANDMOTHER WOULD BE PROUD! Be it our San Marzano tomatoes from Mount Vesuvius or our capers from the island of Pantelleria, lentils from Umbria's hill plateaus or precious saffron from Abruzzo, we would never be able to resist our desire to search for the best expressions of our preserves patrimony. 
This is just gorgeous! I opened the jar and was absolutely amazed by the aroma. They weren't kidding! It was so chuncky and I decided this morning that fresh baked bread with the preserves would be the way to go.
Our preserves use THE BEST available fruits and vegetables... YOUR GRANDMOTHER WOULD BE PROUD! Be it our San Marzano tomatoes from Mount Vesuvius or our capers from the island of Pantelleria, lentils from Umbria's hill plateaus or precious saffron from Abruzzo, we would never be able to resist our desire to search for the best expressions of our preserves patrimony. 
This is just gorgeous! I opened the jar and was absolutely amazed by the aroma. They weren't kidding! It was so chuncky and I decided this morning that fresh baked bread with the preserves would be the way to go.It is often 
thought that Italians don't eat sweets. While it is true they don't normally end a meal with a rich dessert, Italians tend to take their sweets away from the table...at a pastry shop or cafe. In fact, Italians eat sweets all day long: marmalade or preserves thickly spread on bread for breakfast; a mid-morning brioche with "granita" or a "cornetto" filled with custard or jam; afternoon coffee accompanied by some cookies; and of course there's "gelato" eaten during the evening "passeggiata"..... so , Italians really do have a sweet tooth.It's no wonder then, that some of the most extraordinary fruit preserves, syrups, chocolate spreads and candies are produced in Italy by master chefs and artisans. They use the best local ingredients. At Gustiamo, we've sought out the finest Italy has to offer --- our way of sharing a bit of "La Dolce Vita" with you.
thought that Italians don't eat sweets. While it is true they don't normally end a meal with a rich dessert, Italians tend to take their sweets away from the table...at a pastry shop or cafe. In fact, Italians eat sweets all day long: marmalade or preserves thickly spread on bread for breakfast; a mid-morning brioche with "granita" or a "cornetto" filled with custard or jam; afternoon coffee accompanied by some cookies; and of course there's "gelato" eaten during the evening "passeggiata"..... so , Italians really do have a sweet tooth.It's no wonder then, that some of the most extraordinary fruit preserves, syrups, chocolate spreads and candies are produced in Italy by master chefs and artisans. They use the best local ingredients. At Gustiamo, we've sought out the finest Italy has to offer --- our way of sharing a bit of "La Dolce Vita" with you. I am glad that I had the bread that was not sweet because it really allowed the Apple Rosemary Preserves to really shine. This is going to be served later with a baguette and cheeses when I get moved into my new house and have a house warming party. I know that it is going to be fantastic!
This company doesn't just have amazing preserves. Just listen to the flavors that they offer: Organic Sicilian Orange and Coffee, Organic Sicilian Mandarin Marmalade, Organic Apple and Grapefruit and Organic Sicilian Orange Marmalade. I am pleased with the Apple Rosemary, I know that the others would be just as amazing! Something else that I wanted to make sure you were aware of is that they don't just offer preserves they have a array of foods. They offer sweets & coffee, oil and vinegar, pasta & rice, seafood and even land foods such as Campania, Sicilia and Emilia Romagna. I would LOVE to try out some of thier other offerings... You have got to check out there site to believe it.
Thanks to Martina, I was able to try something truly special. I gladly give them two thumbs up and a raving review! Thanks so very much!
Please come back tomorrow for more reviews and packed posts!
I am getting all kinds of goodies and more excited than I have been in a long time.
Ciao!
-Heather
