Italy

The Italian shelf leans sweet, and unapologetically towards the things Italians actually eat on a normal Tuesday rather than the ones that photograph well.

Balconi snack cakes are the anchor — the individually wrapped sponge cakes that turn up in every Italian lunchbox, in full size, mini, and the coconut Mix Max. Antonelli filled croissants come individually wrapped and are made in Italy, the breakfast pastry sold at every autogrill on the motorway. Piacelli brings Sfogliatine Glassate, the glazed puff-pastry hearts, and Tiramisù Speciale ladyfingers — savoiardi firm enough to hold their shape when they meet the coffee, which is the whole difficulty of making tiramisù at home.

On the savoury side, Cara Mamma potato gnocchi are gluten free without tasting like a compromise: potato and rice flour, ready in the two minutes it takes them to float.

European Food Store has imported Italian groceries to Santa Rosa since 2011. This shelf is shelf-stable and ships anywhere in the United States.