EarthKosher began with a conscious goal of specializing in kosher certification for smaller companies, making the process of joining the kosher food industry both down to earth and affordable. EarthKosher provides kosher certification to such companies all over the world. We proudly provide acceptable and reliable kosher certification from California to the Canadian Prairies- from Sri Lanka to New York City! Many of the companies that wear the EarthKosher kosher certification logo, began in small warm kitchens, with family or close friends, and were grown with love, energy and a desire to share wholesome traditions. Nestled in a small kitchen in Winnipeg, Piccola Cucina is one of these companies.
Piccola Cucina is a 100% certified woman owned business based in Winnipeg, MB founded by mother and daughter. We have been in business for over 10 years and are the premiere manufacturers of almond based, healthy indulgent creations. Our line includes macaroons & pie shells made with the goodness of almonds as the first ingredient.
We have dedicated our facility as gluten free as well as Kosher & HACCP certified. All of our products are made with almonds first, that are sourced from a 3rd generation family farm in the San Joaquin Valley in California, a BRC certified almond farm. True to Italian tradition, high end premium products require the absolute best ingredients, which is why we have sourced the best almond flour to make our delicious macaroons. When using so few ingredients, the quality of the inputs is just as important as the care and attention taken when crafting the finished product. Because we use only premium and few ingredients, our macaroons are inherently free from many of the top allergens except for tree nuts…making us a leader in the healthy indulgent space.
Our products are sold across Canada in over 300 retailers, on Costco online, on Amazon.ca and we are a preferred vendor to Staples promotional products.
We are a food manufacturing company that puts honesty and integrity first and foremost in everything we do. We believe that products can be made simply, with minimal processing and without the addition of extra fillers ensuring the customer receives a product that they can feel good about eating and feeding to their families. We approach our business holistically so that our impact on people & planet is sustainable. Piccola Cucina manages sustainability efforts by minimizing byproducts, achieving zero food waste, recycling processing and packaging materials, and conserving energy and water.
We are committed to Diversity and Inclusion throughout our supply chain. Whenever possible we source from vendors and suppliers that are committed to diversity in the workplace with a commitment to inclusiveness. We align with organizations that understand the importance of committing to diversity and inclusion and we ensure that our team is made up of people from all walks of life. It is our belief that our diversity is our strength and competitive advantage. 
There is a lot of debate about the exact origin of Macaroons, although many histories believe this confection can be traced back to Italian monasteries. The first macaroons were almond meringue cookies similar to today’s amaretti, with a crisp crust and a soft interior. They were made from egg whites and almond paste (a combination of equal parts of ground blanched almonds and sugar, mixed with egg whites). The name of the cookie comes from the Italian word for paste, maccarone (mah-kah-ROW-nay). Today, these treats are enjoyed all over the world in a variety of styles.
Piccola Cucina offers six delicious, hand- crafted, gluten free varieties of Italian Macaroons: Pistachioretti, Walnutti, Limotti, Chocoretti, Amaretti and Coconutti. All six varieties have kosher certification from EarthKosher kosher certification agency.
Piccola Cucina also offers gluten- free Almond Pie Shells made with the same nutritional goodness of almonds, and all the flavour of a rich pie shell. There are two types to choose from- regular and unsweetened, so you can go sweet or savory with your baking and cooking. Both varieties are sold frozen, and have kosher certification from EarthKosher.
SAVOURY ARUGULA TARTS (MAKES 4 – 4” TARTS OR 1 – 8” PIE)
Ingredients:
3 medium onions (sliced)
2 tbsp + 4 tsp olive oil
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
¼ cup cherry tomatoes (sliced in in half)
¼ cup goat cheese, crumbled
1 cup arugula
15-20 Kalamata or black sundried olives pitted (optional)
Salt & pepper
4 Unsweetened Piccola Cucina Tart shells
Directions:
In a heavy bottomed saucepan, over medium to low heat, combine balsamic vinegar and honey. Bring to a low boil, reduce the heat and maintain a steady simmer, allowing the vinegar to reduce slowly. This will take about half an hour or so, until the desired thickness is reached.
Meanwhile slice onions and sauté with 2 tbsp. olive oil in a saucepan over medium to low heat. This will take about 20-30 min. The onions will caramelize, and natural sugars will be released, making them a golden brown colour. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.
Assembly:
Lay out the tarts and spread onions across them all evenly. Layer the arugula on top of the onions. Sprinkle tomatoes, olives, goat cheese. Drizzle with cool balsamic reduction and a drizzling of good olive oil and serve.
For more amazing recipes, and to read more about how you can purchase these delicious kosher certified, and gluten free delicacies, visit piccolacucina.ca
