"Cucina Antica represents the union of traditional flavors and the
pursuit of new gourmet combinations. In recent years we have renewed the line based on market trends and demands. This is how various tasty recipes such as Citrus Pesto were created. We have also reduced product weights both to meet the needs of increasingly smaller households and to limit waste, with a view to environmental sustainability," said Mattia Monti (pictured), Normal Trade manager of Cucina Antica.
Cucina Antica is the new brand of Menù Srl, a company engaged in the production of specialty foods for professional catering.
Quality, goodness and homemade aroma are the characteristics of Cucina Antica, a line of preserves dedicated to lovers of good food. Menù, an Italian company based in Medolla (MO), has been producing food specialties for professional catering for more than 90 years. The products have a high organoleptic profile, and are made according to authentic and traditional recipes, with refined ingredients and carefully selected raw materials processed at low heat stress, thanks to state-of-the-art technology.
"Special attention has been devoted to renewing the packaging and communication of the entire line, through social media and a renewed website, that promote recipes developed by our chefs and food-bloggers, and a map with all our growing retailers," explained Mattia Monti.
"The concept of quality is not an abstract idea. We are talking about raw material processed from fresh using high-quality ingredients, which means vegetables harvested and processed in-season. The new label design will also make it easier to communicate these values to the consumer. Despite the not easy times, we have embarked on this path of renewal that will bring many more innovations during 2023."
The range
The sauce-based condiments are made from ripe tomatoes grown in the open field and in a short supply chain, in an area very close to the plant. The range includes chunky pulp, fine pulp, tomato puree, and a series of traditional Italian sauces: 'Spaghettina,' 'Amatriciana,' 'Arrabbiata,' 'Zingara,' 'Boscaiola,' 'Funghi Porcini,' (Porcini Mushrooms) and 'Melanzane,’ (Eggplant). The flagship of the production is a tomato sauce, 'Sugo alla Pomodorina,' which is a true icon of Menù's production and which, to this day, is produced following the Barbieri Family's recipe from 1967.
"Tomato is an integral part of Menù's history, it is the basis of its most appreciated products and has contributed to the company's success. The 2022 campaign, which ended in early September, proved to be complex, but of good quality. Despite a low yield, brought about by the particularly high temperatures of the summer months, the tomatoes show a high level of quality. The Brix degree, specifically, is higher than in previous campaigns, thus heralding a particularly sweet product."
The assortment includes condiments with meat and fish, for making pasta dishes. There is a wide range of pestos, ranging from the more traditional ones, such as 'Pesto alla Genovese' and 'Pesto Rosso,' to the more sought-after ones such as the innovative citrus-based 'Pesto di Agrumi.'
The wide range of sauces and spreads includes: ‘Red Radicchio Sauce,’ ‘Profumata’ (Truffle-scented Cream of Prataioli Mushrooms), ‘Salsa di Fuoco’ (Chili Pepper Vegetable Sauce), ‘Artichoke,’ ‘Porcini Mushroom Cream,’ ‘Black Olive Cream,’ ‘Organic Chickpea Hummus.’ ‘Home-made Mayonnaise,’ ‘Green Sauce,’ ‘Salsarancia con Cipolle,’ (Orange sauce with onions), ‘Red Onion Sauce with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP,’ ‘Salsafichi,’ (Fig Sauce), ‘Pear and Ginger Sauce,’ and ‘Sweet and Sour Pepper Sauce.’
The Appetizers are ready-to-serve specialties, which are ideal for accompanying main courses, cheeses and cured meats: ‘Cipolline in Agrodolce’ (Sweet and sour onions), "Cipolline All'Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP’ (Onions in Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI), ‘Funghi Prataioli piccoli e interi (Small and Whole Prataioli Mushrooms), ‘Carciofini Interi trifolati’ (Whole Artichokes Trifolati), ‘Spaccatelli Trifolati’ (Spaccatelli Trifolati Artichokes), and the tomato lines ‘Pomodori soleggiati’ and ‘Pomodori Tutto Sole.’
Finally, the Pietanze Pronte line, namely traditional dishes that are ready to serve, such as ‘Minestrone di Verdure’ or ‘Peperonata della Casa,’ made of vegetables.
The commercial channels of the gourmet line are the retail segment and Private Label (PL) processing. The products are available throughout Italy and abroad including Germany, Austria, France and Spain.
For more information:
Cucina Antica
Via Concordia, 25
41032 Cavezzo (MO)
Tel: +39 0535 49711
info@cucinaantica.it
www.cucinaantica.it