Nonna Box sends a carefully curated selection of full-sized, gourmet Italian products.
Each box spotlights a different region of Italy.
Every Nonna Box also features the story and recipes of a local nonna from the featured region.(Hence the name!) Some of the recipes utilize items from the box.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Nonna Box
The Cost: $69.95 per month (less with a longer subscription commitment)
COUPON: Save 20% off your first box with code NONNALOVESMSA!
The Products: Each box contains “6 artisanal gourmet products from a different region of Italy.”
Ships to: US
Check out all of our NonnaBox reviews and find other international food boxes in the Food Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Nonna Box includes an envelope that contains lots of supplemental info cards. On the front of the envelope, Guido, Nonna Box’s founder, pens a handwritten note for subscribers.
This month’s featured region is Tuscany!
I received a map of the region that pinpoints the origins of the items in the box.
Information about each item came printed on a thick, two-sided card.
Another card provided the history and background of this month’s featured nonna- Nonna Gabriella!
Three of her favorite recipes were included, as well.
Morelli Black Truffle Pasta (8.8 oz)- $8.50
Morelli’s Black Truffle Pasta is made with real black truffles, egg, and wheat germ flour. The linguine’s manufacturer, Antico Pastificio Morelli, has been producing regional Tuscan pastas since 1860.
Primolio Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Giachi (.25 liters)- $16
This olive oil is made in Tuscany from a blend of Moraiolo and Leccino olives, all of which are harvested within a 10 day period in November and then immediately cold pressed to preserve the freshness of the olives. This oil is “saporito” (flavorful) and is great with hearty meats and in salad dressing.
Il Bocchetto Grigliata (200 g.)- $12.30
Grigliata means “grilled dinner” in Italian, and this herbed salt is a great addition to grilled meats and vegetables. This bottle is so pretty that I’m hesitant to open it! I think I’m going to have to put this blend in a clear-sided grinder to show off the lovely mix of spices.
Confettura di Pere (400 g.)- €5.90 (approximately $6.62 USD)
I couldn’t find Confettura di Pere for sale online, so I’ve linked to a similar product from the same brand. Marmalade is a very popular product in Italy, and it’s eaten on toast, bread, and cake. I don’t think I’ve ever had pear marmalade before, so I’m thrilled to see it in this box!
Panpepato Bonelli Masoni (250 g.)- $12.48
I’m familiar with panpepato, but this is the first time I’ve actually tried it. It’s an Italian confection that dates back to the 13th century, and it’s described by Nonna Box as a “spiced, nutty, chocolaty, and fruity bread (which is perhaps more akin to a cake).”
I’ve always thought of it as a kind of fruitcake, which I suppose is fairly accurate. I’m glad that I got the opportunity to try this product, but I have to be honest that it’s not really my favorite.
Antonio Mattei Biscotti di Prato (250 g.)- €6 (approximately $6.73 USD)
In the US, “biscotti” refers to a very specific kind of twice-baked cookie that Italians refer to as “cantuccini.” (In Italy, “biscotti” can mean any type of cookie or cracker.) The biscotti that we Americans know was first made in 1858 by Antonio Mattei, so it’s very cool that the very same brand is included in this month’s box!
The cookies are made with lots of whole almonds and they have a fantastic sweet almond flavor.
Linguine al Tartufo e Funghi
I LOVE truffles, so I couldn’t wait to try the truffle linguine from this box. One of the provided recipes was for Linguine al Tartufo e Funghi (Linguine with Truffles and Mushrooms), which sounded great, so I made it for dinner one night. The recipe was easy to follow and written very well. (The only potential issue for American cooks is that the ingredients were listed in grams vs. ounces.)
To make it, I boiled the truffle linguine and cooked porcini mushrooms and garlic in some butter. When everything was ready, I mixed it all together. That was it! So easy!
I think this recipe is a testament to how great ingredients are able to stand on their own. This pasta was phenomenal. The texture was perfect and the truffle flavor was pleasant but not overpowering. The simple addition of garlic, mushroom, and butter highlighted and enhanced the flavor of the pasta without overpowering it.
Looking back, I think the dish would have been great with a little parmesan, black pepper, and fresh basil, but I can’t really complain about the simplicity of the recipe as it was sent. It was delicious and so easy to make.
Verdict: This is my second Nonna Box, and I’m really enjoying the subscription so far! I like that Nonna Box features items from a different Italian region in every shipment, and I really enjoy trying gourmet Italian food products. My favorite part of this subscription, though, is that each box is built around a different Nonna and includes some of her favorite regional recipes. It’s such a sweet concept and a really great way to introduce subscribers to authentic Italian foods and recipes. By my count, the retail cost of the items in this box totals $62.63. I typically like to see the retail value at least break even with the cost of the box, but I have to make an exception for this box. Since all of the items are made in Italy (and most are unavailable or difficult to find online), I think it would be impossible to purchase the items in this box for $54 (unless you were shopping in Tuscany). Given this, I think the price is definitely fair.
What do you think of Nonna Box?
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