An Italian Christmas from Diforti:
Founded in 1875, Diforti originates in Caltanissetta, Sicily. Michele Diforti, the great-great-grandfather of the current owners, started his business collecting harvesting and preserving olives. That business was expanded by his son Luigi, who added vegetables and almonds to the range of products available…and then by HIS son Salvatore who expanded the business, sourcing products from all over Italy to distribute in restaurants, homes, delis and shops in Sicily. He opened three delis of his own too, in Strada Foglia, a food market in Caltanissetta. With nine children, he managed to build quite an empire and opened the first supermarket in Caltanissetta.
By 1981, Giuliano Diforti had taken over – he decided to enter the UK market – keeping production in Italy but bringing authentic Italian food to the UK. Then, in 2005, a new generation of the Diforti family took the reigns, current owners, Carlo, Andrea and Francesca. Today, you can buy Diforti products online from anywhere in the UK – and bring a little bit of Italy into your home!
I have to confess I’ve tried some of the Diforti products before, but I’ve never had such a wonderful selection to play with. I’m really rather thrilled with the hamper that was sent to me which included a whole range of sweet and savoury treats. Panettone just in time for Christmas and pistachio aragostine (something like a fried pastry with a pistachio filling, classic almond cantucci and what seemed to me (yes I have eaten them already) to be very seasonal fig and walnut cantucci. There’s gluten-free spaghetti made with maize and a wonderful little jar of fennel and tomato sauce. Tarelli with chilli and sweet peppers stuffed with cheese and a bottle each of white truffle extra virgin olive oil and classic Italian extra virgin olive oil. I’m going to be cooking and playing around with some of the ingredients over the next few weeks.
In the meanwhile, and partly because I was curious about the gluten-free spaghetti, I’ve already tried that, with the really rather delicious Cherry Tomato Sauce With Wild Fennel – a Sicilian cherry tomato sauce which is packed with wild fennel (the leafy sort, not the bulb). I put together the simplest of lunches by adding the sauce to some fresh prawns, fried in olive oil, and seasoned the whole thing with a little lemon juice and basil and some freshly ground black pepper and sea salt.
The aniseed notes of the wild fennel complemented the fresh prawns perfectly and I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be buying more jars of this so I can make more of this pasta with prawns.
A simple dish using Diforti cherry tomato and wild fennel sauce
- 70 g spaghetti I used gluten-free
- 1 tbsp Diforti cherry tomato and wild fennel sauce
- 2 tsp Diforti Italian extra virgin olive oil
- 8 Raw peeled and deveined prawns
- 1/2 Lemon
- 1 Fresh basil optional
- Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt
Prepare a pan of boiling water and cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions
Warm the olive oil in a small skillet
Toss the prawns in the warm oil coating thoroughly
Add the tomato and wild fennel sauce and heat until the prawns are cooked and the sauce is bubbling
Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the cooking water
Season the pasta well with salt and pepper and put in a shallow bowl
Stir a little pasta water through the sauce and use to top the pasta. Squeeze over a little lemon juice and garnish with fresh basil
Now when you see this kind of recipe you realise how useful it is to keep a few Diforti ingredients in your larder. The cherry tomato and fennel sauce is a real cut above my normal ‘open a can of tomatoes and add a splash of wine or a bit of chilli’ as I did in this. And, I’m pleased to say the gluten-free spaghetti was really perfect.
Meanwhile, if you’d like to make this recipe later, why not pin this post for later
Looking for some more Italian recipes? Here are a few ideas for you.
How about my recipe for a perfect homemade pizza
Or a simple pasta arrabbiata
Or even truffled mushrooms with quail eggs.
Here’s a recipe using Parma Ham to make an Italian style potato and ham gratin
And, just in time for Christmas here are some Italian inspired canapes
Pasta, I would try out your pasta with prawns recipe
I would buy a panetone and some of the antipasti such as the artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes
would try out your pasta with prawns recipe
spagetti ,for spagboll
Truffle oil, for carbonara!
Truffle oil…for lobster linguine
I would buy the Truffle Mortadella and use it to make traditional christmas pigs in blankets with an italian twist.
Truffle oil as I have never tried it before.
Would buy the Classic Antipasti Selection for my wife. Her grandfather came from Rijeka, a city that then spoke Italian with Italian culture, and her father was in the 8th Army in WWII and helped liberate Italy. The net result is considerable subconscious Italian culture and taste and love of all things Italian.
Great recipe with true Italian flare.
Artichoke cream. I tried spinach and artichoke dip on holiday for the first time recently and enjoyed it, so I’d like to have a go at making my own.
I would try the truffle oil and use it for pasta dishes.
Truffle oil to make a seafoof linguine!
Definitely the panettone
I would buy the Truffle Mortadella
Chilli Tapenade; I love chillies!
Sounds amazing!
The caper berries to go with the side of salmon I will be doing for Boxing Day lunch.
Would love the Parmigiano Reggiano 24 months for on my pasta dishes
Gorgonzola, I love this cheese and it would be the centrepiece of my Christmas cheeseboard
Sicilian Cannoli with Pistachio Cream, Always wanted to try a cannoli
Truffle Oil. I have never tried it before. I would drizzle it over spaghetti and Parmesan cheese
Truffle Oil – I have been meaning to try it and haven’t yet
Bottega Prosecco Gift
Rigatoni to make pasta alla genovaise
Pasta with prawns for me… 😉
I’d buy some crostini to make up canapes with some antipasti like sun-dried tomatoes, chargrilled artichokes, olives and goat’s cheese. Great for Christmas get togethers.
some wholemeal spaghetti for a nice homemade spag bol!
I would use the Italian Porcini Mushrooms Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a wild mushroom risotto
Antipasto Misto I’d add it some pasta
Truffle oil for a yummy italian pasta dish
with some of the leftover Christmas Turkey, would use the Rummo Gluten-Free Penne Regate to enjoy a nice tasty pasta dish
I would buy the Sicilian hot cherry tomato sauce to make a lovely chicken and prawn fiery pasta dish.
Sicilian Salted Anchovies In Oil – I would use with Rosemary and garlic to make a marinade for roast lamb
I like the sound of the Cherry tomato with fennel sauce and would try in a veggie lasgna
I love the Parmigiano Reggiano for my spaghetti bolognaise x
i would buy some sun dried tomatoes mmmm
Panettone and truffle oil!
I’m totally unable to resist the Sicilian Cannoli with White Chocolate Cream , so that’s what I’d get
Spaghetti, bazil pesto, parmesan and red pesto to make Chicken Pesto Meatballs!
Oooops – Meant Hot Cherry Tomato Sauce and not red pesto….
Truffle oil for mushroom ravioli
Limoncello di Amalfi Costiera and I would use it to make a Limoncello and clementine trifle! (we always have a trifle at Christmas…)
I’d get the Sicilian Cannoli with White Chocolate Cream – so sweet – perfect for christmas
Love this recipe too!
The panettone
The panettone and I would serve with tutti fruit ice cream for a lovely alternative Christmas pudding
I’d buy mascarpone and use it to make a mince pie cheesecake. I have no idea whether that would taste good or not, but I think it would be fun to find out!
truffle oil as i’ve never had it but not sure what i would put it with
The antipasti selection to go with cold turkey on Boxing Day
Truffle oil
I’d get the Truffle oil to make Crab Linguine, I personally prefer it to Lobster
Panettone and would make Panettone trifle with muscat ricotta cream
Truffle oil for my carbonara! This oil looks delicious so i think it would go well with loads of pasta dishes
the Grande Savoury Hamper Festive looks amazing and just what we need!!
I would buy the Fontana Carnaroli Rice 1kg to make a risotto with the left over Christmas turkey! x
Antipasto Misto 120g would pair really well with the Mozzarella Di Bufala 125g as a starter
the Grande Savoury Hamper Festive
The Festive Hamper looks lovely xx
The Mix Italia Olives 1kg wouldn’t last long in our house as we all love olives before dinner and as part of a salad with feta or soft mozzarella.
Sicilian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a wonderful spaghetti aglio e olio
Looks tasty
actually try some of their octopus, i love seafood so id make a lovely salad with it
Truffle oil for my pasta dishes
I’d buy Ricotta and anchovy fillets to make Pasta alla Norma , the vibrant colours make it look like Christmas on a plate.
Truffle oil as I have never tried it before, id make some yummy meatballs
I would buy the Panettone
So much to choose from but Bottega Gold Prosecco Brut would be a bit special on Christmas day in the morning.
Panettone and arabica coffee to serve it with
I’d use the stuffed squid with parsley and garlic to create Christmas Eve canapés
Sicilian Cannoli with Pistachio Cream,
I’d buy the truffle oil to make a pasta dish
Truffle Oil for a touch of luxury at Christmas
I would buy the chilli tapenade and use it on my home made pizza, carefully.
As i used to live in Italy nothing better than a classic Italian Panettone at Natale (Christmas) sliced and served with Panna (Cream )
So my pick from Diforti website would be the Panettone
I would buy spaghetti for seafood pasta – a dish traditionally cooked in my family on Christmas Eve as is traditional in Italy
I would use the Black Venus Rice and mix in some shredded turkey and cheese.
The truffle oil
Truffle Oil for a nice seafood marinara
Whole Fennel Salame to make some delicious canapes to serve with Christmas Eve drinks.
Commenting again to add stars – it looks good but with a seafood-allergic husband I won’t be ithis.
*sigh* the page refreshed as I was posting and the stars vanished!
I love the sound of the Green Olive Tapenade – I’d mix it into pasta with some chicken and extra olives. YUM!
truffle oil fo rLobster Tagliatelle
The black olive tapenade would be perfect with dipping veggies and flatbreads I put out for the family to nibble on Christmas Day before and after lunch.
A rich tomato and fennel sauce to make a “good king Wenceslas”pizza – deep pan , crisp and even ! – sorry my favourite cracker joke 😂
Panettone, reminds me of happy times with friends in roma.
It would be the spaghetti for spaghetti bolognaise as the kids love it x
I’d like to try the truffle oil as I’ve never had it before. Love the history behind the brand, a wonderful story to tell guests over dinner…they won’t have heard that one before!
The Sicilian Pecorino With Black Pepper and it’d go nicely with some crackers x
Recipes look great!
Sicilian yellowfin tuna loins in delicate brine.
I would make some crunchy fishcakes with this tuna, and a side dip with cranberry x many thanks
Sicilian Salted Anchovies In Oil I would use on your homemade pizza recipe
i would simply eat the Amaretti Biscuits – always my favourite!
I’d buy white truffle oil and make a mushroom risotto with it, topped with parmesan crisp!
Truffle oil…I would make a delicious turkey and ham pasta …
Pasta and prawns certainly 5*
I’d buy the Cazzola Acacia Honey which I would use to make honeyed parsnips for Christmas dinner.
I love the sound of your recipe, but personally I would choose the semi-detached cherry tomatoes and then some artichokes. I have this fabulous rich recipe for roasted baby potatoes with sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes. I haven’t made it in awhile, but this post reminded me of how yummy it is.
I’d get a selection of their lovely olives, I’m crazy for them and eat them with everything. Perfect to go with cold Xmas supper,.
I would buy a panettone I love the stuff and could easily sit in the corner without sharing and munch away haha
I’d choose some Italian polenta and use some of the Christmas cheeses to make a Christmassy polenta dish to serve with the rich meats
Wow, I would have panacea, with prawns and chilli
I would buy some limoncello and make a limoncello tiramisu with it as I love this more than the tradtional tiramisu!
the truffle oil sounds very luxurious – not sure what i would make exactly but defo something with pasta and seafood
5 stars
Nibbles and more nibbles including tabila fennel and chilli delights with spreadable salami jam – so much I could make !
Bella! Truffle oil all the way!
Would it be bad to spend it all on cheese?
I love the look of these though:
Aged Pecorino With Truffle
Bontaleggio Mauri
Sicilian White Pecorino
I would make a festive knickerbocker glory using the Fig and Walnut Cantuccini with some mince pie flavour ice cream, meringue and brandy cream.
Truffle oil! i would probably add it to a pasta dish 🙂 x
I would love to try the pasta with prawn recipe
5 star rating for this recipe
I would try truffle oil on my christmas spag bol, make it really special
I would buy the Amaretti Biscuits and make a boozy Amaretto trifle . I make this for our Christmas dessert each year.
truffle oil for spaghetti carbonara
Sicilian cannoli with hazelnut chocolate cream
Sicilian Cannoli with White Chocolate Cream is my fabourite
truffle oil on a veggie pizza
Truffle oil to make a lobster linguine!
I would get the Prosciutto crudo to make the posh ham and potato gratin, looks delicious
Sicilian Cannol
I would get the truffle oil for a nice pasta fish even though it is not very Christmassy
It would have to be the truffle oil for pasta dishes.
Love to try the truffle oil with pasta
It would be the Truffle Oil. I’ve never tried it before but would love to add it to my pasta dishes to see what difference it makes.
Love the sound of this recipe. Am going to attempt it for my husband as this is the kind of dish he would absolutely love.
Truffle oil, always wanted to try. Would make the boyfriend cooks one thing nice and Christmasy!
This looks delicious! I don’t eat prawns very often despite loving them, so I’m going to try this.
I would definitely choose a selection of cheeses for my lasagne which is a cheese extravaganza!
I’d make a porcini pizza topped with Aged Pecorino With Truffle – delicious!
truffle oil over fresh pasta with a little Parmesan
Would love to try the pasta and truffle oil.
I would get the Antipasto Misto 120g, some olives and cheeses and create an evening platter for Christmas day
Bontaleggio Mauri Taleggio Cheese…. I love making stove top saute potatoes with Taleggio cheese, the taste, the texture and the ease of this receipe… I would/could use it as an accompaniment to a meal on Boxing Day or on Christmas Eve.
I would rate it 5 stars as i am sure it is delicious. However I am not a shell fish eater so would have to substitute
Panettone for an italian take on bread and butter pudding
Would love the pasta and prawns, thankyou for the competition x
The truffle salami and I’d make a pig of myself! 😉
Ricotta – I would use it to make a cranberry cheesecake which would be an ideal Christmas pudding.
The truffle oil for my pasta. D -in-law raves about it but not had any yet
Oops. Sorry I forgot to rate that super recipe!
Pasta and prawns sound yummy.
I would buy some Prosciutto crudo and make some delicious Saltimbocca with fresh sage. Delicious
It does look lovely, but I really don’t like fennel, so for me it loses a point ….. sorry
I’d smear a thin pizza base with parley oil then top with a handful of the Seafood Salad With Parsley And Garlic and a light dusting of parmesan, and a whole egg cracked into the the centre before baking.
No idea how to access the recipes with those star ratings in the corner, no instructions for a simple man to follow 😉
I would try truffle oil on a linguine
The Classic Antipasti Selection and make a Saltimbocca
panettone and truffle oil would be top of my list