Confused about caponata? Puzzled by pappardelle? Mystified by melanzane?

The Chew’s got you covered! Check out our easy Italian food glossary, and you’ll be cookin’ like Mario in no time!

A – Amatriciana: This spicy pasta classic is made with tomato sauce, bacon, onions and chiles. (Mario's Spaghetti all'Amatriciana)

B – Bucatini: Bucatini is a thick spaghetti-like pasta with a hole through the center.

C – Caponata: A sweet and sour eggplant dish, often described as the Sicilian version of ratatouille.

D – Delizioso: What your friends and family will exclaim when you make these Italian masterpieces tonight! (Mario’s Turkey Meatballs, Cauliflower Fritters, Chestnut-Apple Ciambella)

E – Enoteca: Enoteca is an Italian word, derived from a Greek word (Kudos to Michael!) meaning “wine repository.” It is also used to describe a type of local wine shop or restaurant.

F – Fagioli: Beans. Check out Mario’s Pasta e Fagioli.

G – Guanciale: Guanciale is made by drying the meat from a hog’s jowls. This rich and flavorful meat can be used in place of pancetta or bacon in most recipes.

I  - Involtini: An Italian version of a roulade; a thin slice of meat or vegetable that is stuffed and rolled with a filling.

K – Kaiserscharrn: A dessert from Trentino-Alto Adige; similar to a crepe with a stewed fruit filling, often served warm with fresh cream.

L – Luganega: A traditional mild pork sausage made throughout Italy. Mario suggests pairing this sausage with soft polenta or risotto dishes.

M – Melanzane: Eggplant. Try Mario’s fresh take on Eggplant Parm here.

N – Negroni: A Classic cocktail of an Italian bitter aperitif (such as Campari), gin, and sweet Vermouth.

O – Orzo: A small barley or rice shaped pasta.

P – Pappardelle: Pappardelle are flat broad pasta noodles. Try Mario’s Fresh Pappardelle with Ramps and Lobster.

Q – Quartino: A small carafe used to pour wine. A quartino is also an alternative to serving glasses or bottles at a restaurant, it is a quarter of a liter, 250mL.

R – Rotini: Wheel-shaped pasta.

S – Speck: A type of smoked prosciutto.

T – Taleggio: Taleggio is a buttery cheese made from cow’s milk.

U – Uova: Eggs. Check out Mario’s U’Ova All’Inforno.

V – Vongole: Small clams commonly used in soups, pastas, and salads.

Z – Zeppole: These simple sweet fritters are similar to doughnuts. Mario’s Fried Zeppoles.