Food of Italy has a definite taste quite distinct from the Italian cuisine in America or western Europe. Italian food comprises of main ingredients and what characterizes food here is the immense variety . Here you may find a sandwich outlet which offers 4 different types of ham sandwiches and you may have the only variant in them the type of ham or cheese. The food of Italy also depends on the region from which they originate.
Some of the popular variations are ribbon-shaped pastas in the northern region of Italy. While the southern part excels in macaroni with tomato sauce. Risotto, a rice dish with vegetables and all time favorite Pizza is much loved food of Italy. Wine is served with every meal other than breakfast. Then there are two variations of sandwiches lapped well by tourists and locals ,Rustichella and panzerotti. In Italy instead sandwiches are small, flat and are not piled with many items.
If you are having a traditional Italian meal then you will find it is divided in two segments. There is antipasto comprising of marinated vegetables, etc, primo which can be pasta or rice dish, secondo that is a meat course which also includes salads and ends with dolce or dessert. Food of Italy also includes pasta where you will find whole range of sauces along with tomato and alfredo.
As is the case with language and culture , food of Italy is also varies from region by region. In southern Italy Pasta and olive oil are the essence of dining while in the north rice and butter are liberally used. Then Italian food also comprises of local ingredients like say citrus and fresh fruits in Naples used both in food and liquor, while fish forms important component in Venice. What is going to amaze you is the kind of pizza found in Italy. It is quite thin,flexible and healthy as it is prepared from fresh natural non-preservative ingredients.
While dining in Italy you will find that breakfast mostly consists of coffee with a pastry (cappuccino e brioche) or bread accompanied with cold cuts or cheese as well as cornetto a light pastry stuffed with cream . Dinners and lunches are big affair ,In fact one hour is devoted for taking lunch . The food of Italy is considered an art in itself and here each restaurant has its won specialties.
Some of the specialties of the food in Italy are
Risotto - Rice sautéed and cooked with stock, in it meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and cheeses are added.
Arancini - This comprises of balls of rice with tomato sauce, eggs, and cheese which are then deep fried.
Polenta - A preparation of yellow corn meal cooked with stock.
Gelato : You must have this Italian version of ice cream. You will surely love the lip smacking flavors like coffee, chocolate, fruit, tiramisu
Tiramisù :Dessert consists of layered sponge cake dipped in coffee, mascarpone and garnished with cookies and cocoa powder .
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Travel.mapsofworld.com provides detailed information of Food of Italy
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