Al mercato compro spinaci e parmigiano per fare una torta salata.

Al is a contraction of a + il.

• a = to / at
• il = the

So al mercato literally means at the market or to the market, depending on context. In this sentence, it is understood as at the market.

Both can exist, but they are not used in exactly the same way.

• al mercato is the most natural way to say at the market / to the market in a general everyday sense.
• nel mercato means in the market, emphasizing being physically inside it.

So in this sentence, Al mercato compro... sounds like At the market, I buy..., which is very natural.

Italian often leaves out subject pronouns when they are already clear from the verb form.

• compro already means I buy
• So io compro is possible, but io is usually unnecessary unless you want emphasis or contrast.

For example:

• Compro spinaci = I buy spinach
• Io compro spinaci, lui compra pomodori = I buy spinach, he buys tomatoes

Compro is the first person singular, present tense of comprare = to buy.

The present tense forms are:

• io compro = I buy
• tu compri = you buy
• lui/lei compra = he/she buys
• noi compriamo = we buy
• voi comprate = you all buy
• loro comprano = they buy

In Italian, when talking about some quantity of food in a general way, articles are often omitted, especially in simple everyday speech.

So:

• compro spinaci e parmigiano = I buy spinach and parmesan

You could also hear:

• compro degli spinaci e del parmigiano

That version makes the idea of some spinach and some parmesan more explicit.

Both are correct; the version without articles is very common and natural.

Spinaci is the plural form of spinacio.

In everyday Italian, spinach is usually referred to in the plural:

• gli spinaci = spinach

This is similar to how some foods are naturally thought of as multiple pieces or leaves. So even though English usually says spinach as an uncountable noun, Italian commonly uses the plural spinaci.

Here parmigiano means Parmesan cheese.

In everyday Italian, parmigiano is often short for Parmigiano Reggiano, though technically that full name refers to the specific protected cheese.

So in this sentence, parmigiano simply means the cheese ingredient.

Per fare means to make or in order to make.

• per = for / in order to
• fare = to do / to make

So per fare una torta salata means to make a savory pie or in order to make a savory pie.

This is a very common Italian structure:

• studio per imparare = I study to learn
• vado al supermercato per comprare il latte = I go to the supermarket to buy milk

After per when expressing purpose, Italian normally uses the infinitive.

So:

• per fare = to make
• not per faccio

This is similar to English:

• I buy spinach to make a savory pie
• not I buy spinach to I make a savory pie

Torta salata literally means salty cake, but that literal translation is misleading.

In real usage, it means something like:

• savory pie
• savory tart
• sometimes something close to a quiche, depending on the recipe

It is a common Italian dish made with pastry and a savory filling such as vegetables, cheese, eggs, etc.

Because salata agrees with torta, which is a feminine singular noun.

• torta = feminine singular
• adjective must match it
• so: salata

Compare:

• un piatto salato = a savory dish
• una torta salata = a savory pie

Una is the feminine singular indefinite article, meaning a or one.

• una torta salata = a savory pie

It is used because torta is feminine singular and the speaker is referring to one savory pie, not savory pie in general.

Yes. Italian word order is flexible, although some orders sound more natural in certain contexts.

The original sentence:

• Al mercato compro spinaci e parmigiano per fare una torta salata.

A very natural alternative is:

• Compro spinaci e parmigiano al mercato per fare una torta salata.

Starting with Al mercato puts a little more focus on the place: At the market, I buy...

The Italian present tense can do both, depending on context.

So compro can mean:

• I buy / I usually buy
• I am buying, in some contexts

Without more context, this sentence could describe:

• a habit: At the market I buy spinach and parmesan...
• a current action in narration: At the market I’m buying spinach and parmesan...

Italian often uses the simple present where English might use either the simple present or present continuous.

Yes, absolutely.

• per fare una torta salata = to make a savory pie
• per preparare una torta salata = to prepare a savory pie

Both are correct. Fare is very common and general; preparare can sound a little more specific or slightly more formal.

No. It is at the beginning here for emphasis or natural flow, but it can appear elsewhere.

For example:

• Compro spinaci e parmigiano al mercato.
• Al mercato compro spinaci e parmigiano.

Both are correct. Putting Al mercato first gives the sentence a setting-first feeling, like At the market...