The Superb Variety Of Italian Cuisines
Italian dishes have quite a reputation of being regal and enriching. Best known for pizza and pasta, Italian food also includes many exemplary meat and seafood dishes, along with excellent cheeses, and fabulous desserts.
Food in Italy is a means of spending quality time and bond with family and friends. Italian cuisine is all about attention to detail that goes to making each dish just perfect. Italian food varies from region to region and are generally simple and easy to prepare. A few of the favored ingredients used in lots of Italian recipes include potato, bell pepper and tomato. Cheese is regarded as a necessary ingredient and is utilized most Italian dishes.
Italy was only united in 1861 and thus has great diversity in culture. It is also reflected in its cuisines. Over the centuries Italy has been invaded many times by different countries, Italy has also been involved in heavy trade and indeed this shows in the variety and origin of its cuisines.
Some of the regional variations that you may encounter include:
- Northern Italy’s native products include balsamic vinegar, bolognese sauce (ragu), lasagna, mortadella (a heat-cured pork sausage, served as a cold cut) parmigiano (parmesan cheese) polenta (a dish made out of boiled cornmeal), prosciutto (dry cured ham) and tortellini (stuffed pasta). Rice is grown in both Lombardy and Piedmont (although they differ in these two regions), and used in making risotto.
- Tuscan cuisine used white beans, meat and bread.
- Pizzas and Mozzarellas originated from Naples.
- Roman cuisine often uses pecorino (cheese made from sheep’s milk) and offal. Rome is also known for its ultra-thin pizzas
- Calabria (the region likened to the “toe” of Italy) is renowned because of its spicy variety of salami
- Pecorinio is a sweet dish and is common and famous in Italy. It is basically a kind of cheese and is made from sheep’s milk. Its especially favored in Sardinia.
- Touch of Arab influence is noticeable in Sicilian cuisines that use lots of pistachio and lemon. seafood is especially good here with swordfish and tuna based delicacies being more prominent.
For additional information and videos on pasta recipes and other Italian dishes please visit Italian Cuisines