Introducing Italian Food
Introducing Italian Food
The basis of the Italian diet today is a mixture of all kinds of ideas passed down the centuries from the Ancient Greeks and Romans as well as from China and other eastern countries.
Italian Breakfast!
Breakfast is the least important meal of the day to the Italians. They eat a 'continetal' breakfast, that is coffee, hot chocolate or tea with bread, butter and jam. Breakfast cereals are becoming more popular in some Italian households, particularly with the children, but cereals such as muesli and wholemeal bread, have not yet caught on widely in Italy.
Colazione (The midday meal)
Lunch is the most important meal of the day. Offices usually close from noon or 12.30 pm until 3 pm to allow plenty of time for the people to go home for lunch. The pasta, soup or, in the north, risotto (a rice dish) is eaten first (although in a reatuarant an hors d'oeuvre may be served beforehand). This is accompanied by crusty bread cut off long, thin loaves. After that comes grilled or fried beef or veal with a simple green or tomarto salad, well dressed with olive oil, vinegar or lemon, salt and pepper. A bottle of wine and a jug of water are always on the table. After the meat course, most families will simply have fruit, although cheese and desserts may be eaten in restaurants
Dinner!
Although Italy is not a rich country, the people enjoy eating out, whether it is a matter of a quick bowl of spaghetti or a celebratory feast. One of the most popular types of restaurants is the pizzeria. The pizza (which means 'pie') and the pizzeria were invented by the Neapolitand, although now pizzas can br eaten all over Italy and aboard. Other restaurants offer a first course followed by a pasta dish, then a main dish and then a sweet and sometimes, cheese.
Tourist menu
Pasta in brodo - (clear soup with little pieces of pasta floating in it)
Prosciutto e melone - (melon with thin cut smoked ham)
Spaghetti alle vongole - (spaghetti with baby clams)
Vitello a limone - (veal with lemon sauce)
Petto di pollo e patate fritte - (little pieces of fried chicken and chips)
Fritto misto di mare - ( mixed fried seafood)
Insalata verde - (green salad)
Gelato - (ice cream)
Formaggio - (cheese)
Caff`e - (coffee)
Try these Italian recipes
Crostata di Zucchine (courgette tart) | Pizza | Spendido | Back to Map
Italian links on the Internet
Lots of recipes - good selection
More recipes from Napa Valley