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Nonna Box Subscription Box Review + Coupon – April 2016

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseMay 24, 2016 | 12 comments

NonnaBox-May-2016-Box

Nonna Box
4.4 overall rating
5 Ratings | 1 Reviews

Nonna Box sends a carefully curated selection of full-sized, gourmet Italian products.

Each box spotlights a different region of Italy.

NonnaBox-May-2016-Open

Every Nonna Box also features the story and recipes of a local nonna from the featured region.(Hence the name!) Some of the recipes utilize items from the box.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

NonnaBox-May-2016-Contents

The Subscription Box: Nonna Box

The Cost: $69.95 per month (less with a longer subscription commitment)

COUPON: Save 20% off your first box with code NONNALOVESMSA!

The Products: Each box contains “6 artisanal gourmet products from a different region of Italy.”

Ships to: US

Check out all of our NonnaBox reviews and find other international food boxes in the Food Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

NonnaBox-May-2016-Envelope

Nonna Box includes an envelope that contains lots of supplemental info cards. On the front of the envelope, Guido, Nonna Box’s founder, pens a handwritten note for subscribers.

NonnaBox-May-2016-IntroCard

This month’s featured region is Tuscany!

NonnaBox-May-2016-MapCard

I received a map of the region that pinpoints the origins of the items in the box.

NonnaBox-May-2016-InfoCard

Information about each item came printed on a thick, two-sided card.

NonnaBox-May-2016-NonnaCard

Another card provided the history and background of this month’s featured nonna- Nonna Gabriella!

NonnaBox-May-2016-RecipeCard

Three of her favorite recipes were included, as well. 

NonnaBox-May-2016-Pasta

Morelli Black Truffle Pasta (8.8 oz)- $8.50

Morelli’s Black Truffle Pasta is made with real black truffles, egg, and wheat germ flour. The linguine’s manufacturer, Antico Pastificio Morelli, has been producing regional Tuscan pastas since 1860.

NonnaBox-May-2016-Oil

Primolio Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Giachi (.25 liters)- $16

This olive oil is made in Tuscany from a blend of Moraiolo and Leccino olives, all of which are harvested within a 10 day period in November and then immediately cold pressed to preserve the freshness of the olives. This oil is “saporito” (flavorful) and is great with hearty meats and in salad dressing.

NonnaBox-May-2016-Salt

Il Bocchetto Grigliata (200 g.)- $12.30

Grigliata means “grilled dinner” in Italian, and this herbed salt is a great addition to grilled meats and vegetables. This bottle is so pretty that I’m hesitant to open it! I think I’m going to have to put this blend in a clear-sided grinder to show off the lovely mix of spices.

NonnaBox-May-2016-Confiture

Confettura di Pere (400 g.)- €5.90 (approximately $6.62 USD)

I couldn’t find Confettura di Pere for sale online, so I’ve linked to a similar product from the same brand. Marmalade is a very popular product in Italy, and it’s eaten on toast, bread, and cake. I don’t think I’ve ever had pear marmalade before, so I’m thrilled to see it in this box!

NonnaBox-May-2016-Panpepato

Panpepato Bonelli Masoni (250 g.)- $12.48

I’m familiar with panpepato, but this is the first time I’ve actually tried it. It’s an Italian confection that dates back to the 13th century, and it’s described by Nonna Box as a “spiced, nutty, chocolaty, and fruity bread (which is perhaps more akin to a cake).”

NonnaBox-May-2016-PanpepatoOpen

I’ve always thought of it as a kind of fruitcake, which I suppose is fairly accurate. I’m glad that I got the opportunity to try this product, but I have to be honest that it’s not really my favorite.

NonnaBox-May-2016-Biscotti

Antonio Mattei Biscotti di Prato (250 g.)- €6 (approximately $6.73 USD)

In the US, “biscotti” refers to a very specific kind of twice-baked cookie that Italians refer to as “cantuccini.” (In Italy, “biscotti” can mean any type of cookie or cracker.) The biscotti that we Americans know was first made in 1858 by Antonio Mattei, so it’s very cool that the very same brand is included in this month’s box!

NonnaBox-May-2016-BiscottiOpen

The cookies are made with lots of whole almonds and they have a fantastic sweet almond flavor.

Linguine al Tartufo e Funghi

NonnaBox-May-2016-PizzoccheriRecipe

I LOVE truffles, so I couldn’t wait to try the truffle linguine from this box. One of the provided recipes was for Linguine al Tartufo e Funghi (Linguine with Truffles and Mushrooms), which sounded great, so I made it for dinner one night. The recipe was easy to follow and written very well. (The only potential issue for American cooks is that the ingredients were listed in grams vs. ounces.)

To make it, I boiled the truffle linguine and cooked porcini mushrooms and garlic in some butter. When everything was ready, I mixed it all together. That was it! So easy!

NonnaBox-May-2016-PizzoccheriStirred

I think this recipe is a testament to how great ingredients are able to stand on their own. This pasta was phenomenal. The texture was perfect and the truffle flavor was pleasant but not overpowering. The simple addition of garlic, mushroom, and butter highlighted and enhanced the flavor of the pasta without overpowering it.

NonnaBox-May-2016-PizzoccheriPlated

Looking back, I think the dish would have been great with a little parmesan, black pepper, and fresh basil, but I can’t really complain about the simplicity of the recipe as it was sent. It was delicious and so easy to make.

Verdict: This is my second Nonna Box, and I’m really enjoying the subscription so far! I like that Nonna Box features items from a different Italian region in every shipment, and I really enjoy trying gourmet Italian food products. My favorite part of this subscription, though, is that each box is built around a different Nonna and includes some of her favorite regional recipes. It’s such a sweet concept and a really great way to introduce subscribers to authentic Italian foods and recipes. By my count, the retail cost of the items in this box totals $62.63. I typically like to see the retail value at least break even with the cost of the box, but I have to make an exception for this box. Since all of the items are made in Italy (and most are unavailable or difficult to find online), I think it would be impossible to purchase the items in this box for $54 (unless you were shopping in Tuscany). Given this, I think the price is definitely fair.

What do you think of Nonna Box?

Starting at $70.00
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Nonna Box is a box subscription that each month features a different Italian region and six of its traditional products from producers of that region. In showcasing each part of Italy, Nonna Box brings foodies closer to the country via its flavors, gastronomical history, and the story of a regional... read more.
Lindsey Morse
Lindsey Morse

Lindsey is a professional baker, cold brew coffee addict, and rosé aficionado who loves writing about food and wine. When she’s not sharing her love of subscription boxes with the world, you’ll find her in the podcasting studio, perfecting her cake decorating techniques, or cursing her way through the New York Times daily crossword puzzle. 


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12 comments

Tom Diamond

I think I ordered seven times from this service. Still nothing. I submit an order and there is just a cut off so you do not know if your order was submitted right after you put in your credit card information. So do you do it again? I did because I had not confirmation in an email.

Finally, My seventh attempt I think I got a confirmation only to not get the gift. This is such a good idea and looks promising but a crappy website that leaves you in the dark right after you put in your credit card information. Now I have to go back to my bank and see if my card was charged one two three seven? times? who knows?

That is very frustrating and I have no problems ordering on other services such as amazon or ebay so I know it isn’t on my end.

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The drawback of this club is they don’t really have a gift giving option… yes, you can pay & send to someone.. but you must remember to cancel.. when I give a 3mo subscription I don’t really want to have to remember to go in & cancel.
Additionally the recipient in this case is not getting an email that says ‘Mrs. X has purchased a 3mo subscription for you’ Happy Birthday.
It would simply be delivered.. & I would have to let them know I got them an 3mo subscription.. otherwise, it just randomly arrives & randomly stops.
That’s a huge flaw… monthly, yes I understand cancelling.. but purchasing 3mo or 6mo should have an easy start stop~ not an auto renewal.

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Go to your account panel here and click on the “EDIT” button at the bottom of the left side menu and then on “CANCEL”. Subscription cancellations need to be made prior to your next renewal date:
For the 3- and 6-month plans, it would be on the 28th of the first month after your plan’s months have concluded.
What? ….

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Julia

I’m surprised you could taste the truffles in the pasta. They look like specks, and were dried into the dough.

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Venifica

wow! awesome box and great review!

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Kelly

Wonderful and thorough review.I’m lucky to live near Italian and international markets, but if not, to would be a nice option. Thank you.

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Emily

This looks like a very fun box to receive and as always the meal you’ve made looks amazing. Pear marmalade sounds fantastic!

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Katie

I always love reading your reviews and seeing your pics of the food. Can tell that you are a great cook (great photographer too;)

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KBC

It drives me batty that few of ANY reviewers on this site take into account the printing cost for the recipes and or inserts for this or other boxes. My background is procurement, including print, and it is expensive to source the quality card stock that many boxes use. Perhaps I should start pointing out when boxes don’t include a note to help you understand the cost savings?!?

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Mary K

I guess I’m one of the oddballs (no surprise, lol) because I DO value those cardstocks that list and describe the items. I read them all — and save them! They are great reference material for me. I hated that Ipsy never included one; it felt cheap and lazy. It’s true that an often overlooked value of any box is the box itself, packaging materials, cardstock and of course the shipping costs. Presentation matters! 🙂

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Emily

I can only speak for myself, but printed materials in any box I receive end up in the recycling bin. I don’t count that towards value because to me it has none.

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Julia

I read them for the entertainment value – the spelling and grammatical errors. THEN they go into the recycling bin. Thank you, ipsy, for limiting the insert to a generic postcard.