Even if Food is the most common subject when we talk about Italy, this is also a Huge subject, with a lot of nuances.
I am writing this post in reply to Steps closer to becoming an Italian by @KarenVChin
The aim of the post is to give a general introduction about Italian Food, to follow with a series of post that #TeamItaly will write about specific subject
To understand Italy we need to know what Italy is. Even if smaller than California (116,630 vs 163,696 square miles), Italy is hugely diverse. âItaly is ⊠the Long Boot, with the head in Europe and the tip in Africaâ just to mention what I said in my introduction post. It means different food, different climate, different tradition, even different languages. Diversity of cultures due also to a historic tradition of commerce that the Italians had. Probably the most famous Italian in China is still Marco Polo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Polo (Venice - 1254 - 1324).
But of course we have also a long series of âcommonâ elements. The way to eat is for sure one of that.
Food is probably the most universally known element of âItalianityâ.
The sequence of dishes, as explained in the video shared by @KarenVChin , is an important aspect of the âItalian way to eatâ too, and need to be respected if you want to âEat like an Italianâ.
Every course should have the correct wine (do not believe in the tale regarding to not mixing red and white wines with a meal). The alcohol content should usually increase from the appetizer to the main course.
The classic Italian Meal:
Aperitivo: the aperitif is a drink that is considered a âmust haveâin an Italian meal for at least two reason:
- Socialization: an aperitif can be drank in a restaurant / house where you have the meal, but is very common to drink an aperitif with friends in a bar, before going home for dinner
- Cleansing the mouth before dinner: the aperitif doesnât have to contain alcohol, but it must be sparkling. The action of the CO2 is to remove other taste from your tastebuds, to give you the opportunity to better enjoy the meal.
Antipasto: the appetizer is the ouverture of the dinner, and should be coherent with what will follow with the main course (usually fish or meat) but can also be neutral, e.g. based on fried battered veggies.
Small pieces that can be eaten with your hands (finger food), and shared with friends. Actually you can go in an italian restaurant, and order only appetizers, like tapas, in Spain, to share, eating a bit of everything. If you donât know a restaurant, this can be a great way to learn how the restaurant is.
Primo Piatto: the first course (primo piatto) is a base of carbohydrates so, depending of the area you are at, the first course can be pasta (made with wheat or corn), rice (most famous is risotto) or gnocchi (made with potatoes).
Pasta can by dried or freshly made, in a lot of different shapes. Long pasta, like spaghetti, short pasta, or special plain pasta (lasagne), or stuffed pasta, like ravioli. Depending on the shape of the pasta, it will be combined with a particular kind of sauce.
Secondo Piatto: the second (main) course is usually based on protein even if we have a lot of regional variations that not include meat.
The main course is the most important part of a meal. It can be meat (on the internal area) or fish, along the coast.
The preparation can be classic (stewed, grilled, roasted) or regional, like for âFegato alla Venezianaâ (Literally translated as âVenetian Liverâ, a recipe based on liver and onions, very common in Venice). Regional (local) recipe are usually the best food that you can find in the area
Contorno: The side dish is always composed of vegetables, and can be eaten raw (insalata, with lettuce, tomato, etc.) or cooked. The side dish is always served with the main course
Formaggio: (cheese) In several parts of Italy, a cheese platter is served at the end of the dinner, but cheese is also an important ingredient in lots of dishes.
We produce a huge variety of cheeses, that to simplify can be classified as:
- âA pasta filataâ - mozzarella, provolone and caciocavallo
- âMolleâ - like gorgonzola
- âa pasta semiduraâ like most of the italian cheeses,
- âa pasta duraâ like parmigiano
Bread: bread is not a dish, but it is always served with an Italian meal. In a restaurant, you donât need to order it, as it is already included in the price. In Italy, we have a huge variety of breads which I believe deserves a detailed, separate Connect post
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Dolce: The end of an Italian meal is always sweet (dolce). Italy has, together with France, a long tradition of cakes, the most famous is probably the TiramisĂč (did I tell you that TiramisĂč was invented in Treviso?). A cake is always served together with a white sparkling wine (like Prosecco).
This is the classic Italian sequence of a meal. You can skip one or more steps, but the order must be always followed. The sequence is one of the âcommon elementsâ of the Italianity.
Do Italians always eat this way?
Of course no. Stay with #TeamItaly, donât miss the next post about the Piatto Unico
What about the content of the dish?
Until now, I just gave you a panoramic vision of the classic Italian way of eating. But the most important point is: What will you find inside your dish?
What do you know about the Classic Italian product? Again, stay with us to know the excellence of the italian food
Have you been invited for a dinner in Italy?
Do you have an Italian friend you have known around the world? If you come to Italy, for sure your friend will invite you for dinner. This is great, but please remember that there are unwritten rules to follow. Curious? A post is coming about this subject
Are you travelling in Italy as a tourist?
If so, just remember the most important rule: to search for âlocal recipesâ when you go in a restaurant. Donât ask for Alfredo sauce (doesnât exist in Italy).
Let yourself be surprised by the Italian flavors. I am adding for you a partial list of my preferred restaurant. Feel free to check it
Bookmark this post for the news.
What do you know about Italian Food? What is the Italian dish that you like more? Do you have an Italian restaurant in your area?
We will be happy to look at a photo, watch a video, learn or exchange a recipe, and/or exchange our contents with you
Have a fun on Local Guides Connect
This is a collaborative post by #TeamItaly included in the #TeamChallenge proposed by @ermest. The post is part of the series about Italy: Italian culture between ancient and modern.