Italian Food

italian-food-miamiThe world knows Italy because of its appetizing food.  Well-made Italian food does a great job of balancing nutrients and fresh ingredients. Thanks to the creative talents of Italian chefs, every meal is simply cooked and rich with various flavors and Italian seasonings.

Typical Italian Meals

In Italy breakfast (colazione) is a light meal of either cappuccino or espresso with a sweet pastry (brioche).  Lunch (pranzo) and Dinner are similar in style.  They start with a starter (antipasto), which usually consists of pasta, soup or rice.  The next course (secondo piatto) consists of either meat or fish with salad (contorna) and fresh fruit.  Espresso then tops off the meal.

Italian Pizza

Italy is known for its pizza, which is a spin on traditional bread.  The first pizza originated in Naples and called “Neapolitana pizza.”  It was made of bread dough, topped with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.  There is also “pizza Margherita,” which was named after Queen Margherita.  This is because she was offered a pizza that had tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and oregano on it in order to symbolize the Italian flag.  The Queen loved this pizza.

Italian Pasta

Of course, Italy is also known for more than its pizza.  It is also known for its pasta.  There are a lot of different types of pasta to choose from, including fettuccini, lasagna, macaroni, spaghetti, and tortellini.  There are also an endless number of sauces to choose from including Bolognese, carbonara, marinara, and pesto.

Italian Wine

There is a lot of wine grown in Italy as well.  This is because Italy has the soil, climate, and traditions that are beneficial to wine making. These things make Italy a natural place for the production of large quantities of great tasting wine.  What wines are made vary depending upon the region and vineyard that they are created in. 

Italian Coffee

Another popular drink in Italy is Italian coffee.  Most American cafes use terms to describe their coffee that have been coined by Italians.  So, even though Italy didn’t create coffee, the coffee industry, as we know it today, does have its origins there.  Italians are quite picky with their coffee.  Oftentimes they will opt to visit their favorite café or bar in order to have true Italian coffee.

There are a lot of great Italian restaurants (ristoranti) throughout Italy. These include fancy, formal, and even family-ran ones. The less formal ristoranti (known as trattoria or osteria) are where you will find the local specialties.  If you want a quick meal, then you may wish to check out either a sandwich bar (panienerias) or a pizzeria.

To eat at a family owned and run Italian restaurant, you can go to Mama Jennie’s in Florida.

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