Italian Tears

The latest find in our quest for all things Italian? Onions. World Variety Produce, under its Melissa’s label, is importing cipolline--small, flat, sweetish onions grown in Northern Italy. The company recommends grilling them on skewers, but cipolline are also very good braised. Just the thing for adding that special sapore to your holiday New England creamed onions. About $3.50 for half a pound.

Corn on a Rope

The frost isn’t on the pumpkin yet (and odds are it won’t be, in Southern California), but nothing says fall like the faded hues of dried Indian corn. These linked cobs, at about $40, are ready for decorating from Smith & Hawken stores (Pasadena, Beverly Hills, South Coast Plaza).

Sweet Acidity

These French fruit vinegar bottles come with little taps so you can draw off only as much as you need. They come in orange and lemon and have a very nice soft acidity that would be great in winter salads. Be careful, though; somehow, one of ours started leaking, apparently spontaneously, while sitting on the kitchen shelf. From $45 to $60 at Malibu Colony and Laguna Colony Co.