5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.

Francine Segan spent a year in Italy eating desserts for her new cookbook Dolci: Italy’s Sweets. Tough gig, we know.

Sure, she found the usual beloved suspects - tiramisu, panna cotta, affogato, cannoli - but she also discovered a sampler platter of regional specialties that have been popular in Italy for decades, centuries even, that we've hardly ever heard of on this side of the Atlantic.

Here's to la dolce vita.

Five Sweet Treats from Italy You Need To Know: Francine Segan
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5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.

Tonight's forecast: cloudy with a chance of meatballs.

Spiced ground meat, shaped into balls, before being braised, baked or fried is well-rounded comfort food at its finest.

But if you're not quite sure how to get the ball rolling, Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow of The Meatball Shop and The Meatball Shop Cookbook can give you a little nudge in the right direction.

Five Tips for Great Meatballs: Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow

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It's July - you've got basil coming out the wazoo - what to do? It's the herb that just keeps giving - and this time of year, the more you pick, the more it grows. Here's an idea: make like the Italians and whip up some bulk pesto to freeze and use throughout the year.

Follow along as one Italian chef reveals the perfect pesto for the proliferation of basil taking over your backyard.

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After opening its doors last year, Eataly has become Manhattan’s newest attraction for Italian food fanatics. However, the gleaming marketplace hasn’t left New York’s historic Little Italy district with empty tables. Both Italian pasta havens are known for serving up authentic Italian food, but the different dining experiences keeps the dough rolling for everyone.

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