Where can I buy Italian food in Ny?

[pillonuovo]

Hi everybody,

I just moved to NYC and that's amazing! I wanted to cook Tagliolini with lemon and Parma ham, but I don't know where to buy Italian food here. I also read on a magazine that it's full of fake Italian products. I am not sure what does fake Italian products mean, so I was wondering.. is that so difficult for an American to recognize an original Italian pasta or ham? I think the taste and the packaging are different, aren't them? I am super curious! Thanks in advance for your answers, I will post the recipe soon!

[duonyte]

Hi and welcome. Italian delis might be your best bet. New York is a really large place and I think you might be better off asking for recommendations of stores that carry Italian goods in or near to your neighborhood on something like chowhound - http://chowhound.chow.com/boards
Local knowledge is best for a question such as this.

[Dee514]

I agree, NY is a huge place (I'm originally from the Bronx, currently living upstate in the Adirondack area)....you didn't mention which boro you are in, therefore it makes it difficult to narrow down your local choices. I would suggest doing a google search for Italian import stores or delis based on your address (or neighborhood). Then, before running out to the store, give them a call to find out if they carry the items you are looking for.

Many supermarkets have "ethnic" sections where they carry Italian, Mexican/Latin and Asian products. Many supermarket deli departments carry things like prosciutto di Parma, from Parma, and prosciutto di San Daniele, and their cheese departments carry many imported Italian cheeses. As for "fake Italian products", I'm not sure I know what you mean. Do you mean American made "Italian" products/brands? Some of them are just as good or better than some of the imported products.
As for packaged goods, read the labels - there will either be an address of the company in Italy that makes the item, or it will say "Imported and distributed by: "so - and - so USA." Sometimes the labels of imported products are printed in Italian, but some companies change the packaging for the US market.

As you know, true Italian cooking (as in all cooking) revolves around using the freshest, and best quality ingredients you can afford (or grow). Most "authentic Italian" dishes are simple dishes, it is the technique used in the prep and execution of a dish/meal that makes it what it is.