An Italian deli is typically a business that sells authentic prepared Italian food as well as many grocery items and delicacies that are a large part of Italian culture and cuisine. People visit Italian delis to dine and to shop and the most popular Italian delis tend to have very loyal customers. If you have never been to an Italian deli but plan to visit one soon, consider purchasing the following items:

Cheese

An Italian deli is an excellent place to pick up amazing imported or handmade Italian cheeses. Many Italian delis make fresh mozzarella and ricotta on site to sell to their customers. You will also likely be able to buy lesser known cheeses like pecorino Toscano, taleggio, robiola piedmont, and Fontina d'Aosta, which may not be easily found in a regular grocery store.

Italian Sausage

If you want to purchase freshly made Italian sausage, one of the best places to do so is at an Italian deli. Many Italian delis are family-owned, and the sausage sold is often made according to old family recipes that have been around for generations. A lot of Italian delis offer several different types of Italian sausage for sale.

Italian Meats

What goes great with Italian cheeses? Delicious Italian meats! Whether you plan to make sandwiches or are creating a cheeseboard for a party, an Italian deli is a great place to pick up all of the meats that you need. When you visit an Italian deli, you can pick up meats like mortadella, prosciutto, soppressata, and Genoa salami. 

Sandwiches

Some Italian delis are well-known for their amazing sandwiches. Many Italian delis serve both hot and cold sandwiches made with the high-quality ingredients sold in their shop. If you want a hot sandwich, consider Italian beef or Italian sausage and peppers. Cold sandwiches often incorporate a variety of Italian meats and cheeses. Popular variations of cold Italian sausages include fresh bread, salami, pepperoni, mortadella, provolone, mozzarella, and roasted peppers.

Gelato

Gelato is an Italian frozen treat that is similar to ice cream. But gelato tends to be denser and more flavorful, and it is becoming an increasingly popular dessert. You may find that a lot of Italian delis are now selling gelato that is either handmade or imported from Italy. If the Italian deli that you visit sells gelato, it is something that you should definitely try. Gelato is typically available in dozens of different flavors. 

To learn more, contact a market like Scittino's Italian Market Place.