Benvenuto! Welcome!
Can you think of special foods that are unique to your family-- like your Grandma's homemade fudge recipe, or the family Christmas sugar cookies? I know I can think of a few. Well, those foods are special because only your family makes them a certain way. This is very similar to how countries establish their national identities-- through their local cuisine.
Today we are going to learn about the different foods of Italy that help contribute to Italian culture!
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| Insalata Caprese e vino blanco |
This is a common appetizer well known in Italy-- Caprese Salad. Sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil drizzled with oil and vinegar on a bed of lettuce, served with white wine, is often eaten by Italian families before the meal.
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| Pizza |
We all know Pizza Hut and Papa John's, but real Italian pizza is much different (and tastier!) than what we are used to in America. The crust is thin and made in a wood-fired oven, then topped with cheeses, sauces, and vegetables of your choice. The two pictured above are Margerita and Roma.
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| Pasta |
Famous for pasta, Italy is known for many different delicious types of pasta. Pictured above is a pasta stand at a local Florentine food marker, offering tortellini, pesto, ravioli, spaghetti, and more. These types of pasta originated in Italy.
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| Gelato |
We can't forget dessert! Italy is well known for it's unique type of creamy treat, known as gelato. It is very similar to ice cream, but made without air and with fruits, nuts, and natural flavorings to give it a richer and creamier taste. It is also kept at a warmer temperature than ice cream, so it melts in your mouth faster so you can taste the delicious flavors right away!
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| Cannoli |
A hallmark of Italian dessert, cannoli's are pastries with a crunchy outer shell filled with sweet cream and dusted in powdered sugar. There are many variations, like the one above, that has chocolate chips.
Getting to know different cultures is a very important part of becoming a world citizen. The foods we learned about above are distinct dishes in Italy, and while we have variations of these foods accross the world, they are all originally made in Italy. The foods of Italy are what helps contribute to the nations identity and culture.
Now that you know how Italian food plays a role in Italian culture, can you think of foods that you eat in your family that define your cultural background? Post your ideas below with a picture of the foods.
Until we meet again, ciao!
