The Colosseum. The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Leonardo da Vinci. Galileo. Machiavelli. Columbus. Pizza. Wine. Pasta. What do all these remind you of? Undoubtedly, of the country called Italy!
Italy is famous for its architecture, literature, music, theatre, paintings, cinema, fashion, etc. But the most popular thing about Italy is its cuisine – the food. Now, we all know about pasta and pizzas. But Italy is a lot more than these! It is about cheeses, wines, coffee, and much more. Italy is a food lover’s paradise. And that is why food lovers flock to Italy.
Italian cuisine has developed over the ages and become what it is today. Its roots can be traced back to the 4th century BC. Significant changes occurred with the introduction of the New World. But the dishes are still prepared in the traditional ways. And because of this, a large number of dishes can be cooked at home. This is one of the major reasons for the elaborate popularity of the Italian cuisine. Due to the difference in ingredients across regions, the taste and dishes vary across Italy. Cheese, wine, and coffee are a major part of the cuisine.
The cuisine earlier was not Italy’s own but derived from various other regions of the world due to the invasion and the socio-political changes in Italy. There are various books about the history of Italian cuisine written by Maestro Martino, Bartolomeo Scappi, Bartolomeo Stefani, Giovanni della Casa, Antonio Nebbia, Vincenzo Corrado, Francesco Leonardi, Giovanni Vialardi, Gian Battista, Ippolito Cavalcanti, Pellegrino Artusi, and many others. Their works talk not just about dishes but also about the ingredients and their work varies as they depict various regions.
The ingredients of Italian cuisine include fruits, vegetables, sauces, meats, fish, potatoes, rice, corn, sausages, pork, basil, nuts, olive oil, and different types of cheeses. However, the use and popularity of a dish or an ingredient varies according to the region. While one region might use sardines and tuna, the other may not. The pasta comes in a variety of shapes – penne, macaroni, spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, lasagne, etc. It can be made of durum wheat or semolina. The various parts of Italy are popular for various dishes as the cuisine of each part differs.
Italy has a proper meal structure and consists of 3-4 courses. On holidays, however, the meals can stretch for hours and every region has its own holiday cuisine. Also, there are various establishments or eateries all of which have defined roles and stick to them.
Italy is the home of coffee, beer, and wines with a huge variety of all. There are also various other drinks which are quite popular. And not to forget, Italians simply cannot be beaten when it comes to the ‘sweet tooth’. Their variety of desserts is remarkable! They are the home for gelato, tiramisu, confetti, etc.
So the next time you talk of Italy, don’t just brag about the pasta and pizza. Go on and let the world know about the true flavours of Italy!
Photo Credits: Google
Shubhra Vats 