La Italian gastronomy It is one of the best known and imitated in the world. It is considered an art that has been transmitted for centuries from generation to generation. In this article, we explain the eating habits of Italians, as well as some culinary traditions and customs at the table.
Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.
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Feeding Habits
Italians have several customs when it comes to eating, as it is a time of day very important for them. Therefore, they take their time to prepare the menu and usually use fresh and quality products.
In the morning they eat a light breakfast, which usually consists of a coffee accompanied by cookies or a brioche, a sweet bread that is taken alone or filled with an ingredient such as butter.
From one in the afternoon it is lunch. During the week, they usually eat two different dishes and a piece of fruit for dessert. However, if it is a special or celebratory meal, these are the dishes that are prepared:
- Aperitif: a drink such as wine or champagne accompanied by olives, walnuts or cheese.
- Starters: a starter of salami, mortadella, ham, salmon or tuna.
- First: the first main course. It is usually rice or pasta.
- Seconds: an elaboration of meat or fish.
- Side dishes: Vegetable dish.
- salad: a salad that is served in the case of not having consumed too many vegetables.
- Formaggi e fruit: cheese and fruit. Most of the pieces (apple, pear, peach ...) are removed the skin.
- Desserts: a sweet dessert such as a tiramisu, a gelato or a piece of cake.
- Cafe: it is usually served without sugar or milk. He cappuccino reserved for breakfast.
- Digestive: an alcoholic drink like Limoncello o grappa, typical of the country.
In the middle of the afternoon the snack, in which, especially children, eat something sweet, such as a piece of cake or a cake. Dinner is prepared from eight o'clock, which is somewhat lighter than lunch, but also consists of at least two dishes.
Meals usually last at least an hour and are a time to get together with family or friends and talk. The most popular beverages are water and wine.
Culinary art
Cooking in Italy is considered an art that has centuries of development. Its history dates back to the XNUMXth century BC, when there is already evidence of poems and cookbooks that speak of the importance of food. In addition, banquets were held in which they spent a long day.
It is in the XNUMXth century when the first Italian cuisine. This area was influenced by the Arabs, who introduced dry pasta, and the Normans, who contributed other ingredients. Already in the XNUMXth century there were chefs who wrote important cookbooks.
At present, its relevance is such that throughout Italy we find numerous Culinary Arts Schools of high prestige, such as the Barilla Academy. In Piedmont we also find the ICIF, Culinary Institute of Cuisine for Foreigners. Even in other countries there are courses to get to know this gastronomy.
This discipline is not only learned in large study centers, but is traditionally transmitted from generation to generation. It is above all the mothers and grandmothers of Italian families who are in charge of doing this.
When preparing the dishes, balance and proportions are taken into account, and the different ingredients are combined with high precision to achieve unique flavors in the world.
There are some gastronomic rules or traditions that Italians generally follow. For example, each type of pasta is accompanied by a different sauce (Bolognese sauce does not go with spaghetti, but with noodles). Also, this product is never combined with chicken.
Although a great deal of ingredients different, these are ten of the most used:
- Olive oil
- Tomato
- Garlic
- Shellfish
- Cereals
- Jewish
- Leafy vegetables
- Nuts
- Red wine
- Cheese
In the table
La Italian gastronomy it is surrounded by customs. As we have said, when it comes to sitting at the table to eat, Italians spend at least an hour, more if it is a day off or in which something is celebrated. Also, it is rare for someone to eat alone and evenings with large numbers of people are common.
All food is eaten with cutlery: using your hands is bad Education. Also, they should be on the table and you do not have to rest your elbows. A children's menu is not prepared, since children get used to eating the same as adults from a young age.
Unlike in other countries, here it is correct to dip the bread in the sauce. This is called make the slipper, which literally translates to "make the shoe."
If the waiter or the hosts do not offer it, it is frowned upon to ask for Parmesan cheese to add to the dishes, as they seek proportion. In addition, it is a type of cheese that should not go with some preparations.
When it comes to eating pasta, you have to be careful. The spaghettis You are never they are cut and you should not use a spoon to roll them: you only use the fork.
Recipes
There are many recipes originating in Italy. In them predominates pasta. The best-known food in the world is pizza. In order to make the dough, the following ingredients are needed:
- Flour (XNUMXg)
- Water
- Buy
- Yeast
- Sal Island
- Sugar
This dough can be served with various ingredients. The most basic pizza is the Margarita, which has mozzarella, tomato, basil and virgin olive oil. Other of the best known are Cuatro Quesos, Cuatro Estaciones and Bianca.
Another typical dish is lasagna. Several layers of dough are placed, between which minced meat, tomato, vegetables and cheese are put. It is usually accompanied with a bechamel sauce made from milk, flour and butter.
When it comes to rice, the most famous is Mushroom risotto, which has a honeyed texture. These are its components:
- Rice
- Mushrooms
- Onion
- Chicken soup
- Parmesan
If you want to know the rest of the recipes of Italian gastronomy, we recommend you read the following article: Italian food: recipes for typical dishes and desserts.
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