Nutmeg

This spice is a particular favorite in the kitchens of Modena, where it may be found in pasta stuffings, cream sauces, meat dishes, and desserts. Used in moderation, fragrant nutmeg is a key ingredient in pasta cookery. Many gourmet shops sell whole nutmegs from Italy, packaged with a little grater. These make nice gifts for authentic pasta cooks, since freshly grated nutmeg is superior to commercially packaged ground nutmeg.