Italian Cuisine

Italian Cuisine is a style of cooking that originated from Italy. It has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots stretching to antiquity. Italian cuisine is known for its regional diversity, especially between the north and the south of the Italian peninsula. It offers an abundance of taste, and is one of the most popular in the world. It influenced several cuisines around the world, chiefly that of the United States.

History

Italian cuisine has a rich history that dates back to ancient Rome. Foods and cooking methods from the Roman civilization gave rise to many of the techniques and ingredients used in Italian cuisine today. The introduction of maize, tomatoes, bell peppers, and potato from the Americas in the 18th and 19th century brought profound changes.

Ingredients

Italian cuisine is noted for its regional diversity, abundance in taste, and is known to be one of the most popular in the world. The primary ingredients used in Italian cuisine include tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, pasta, cheese, and wine. The cuisine also heavily relies on fresh vegetables, fruits, and legumes.

Regional Variations

Italian cuisine varies greatly by region. The cuisine of Northern Italy features a lot of butter, rice, corn (for polenta), and cheeses for cream sauces. Southern Italian cuisine primarily uses tomatoes, olives, olive oil, capers, garlic, artichokes, aubergine, peppers, and fish.

Dishes

Some of the popular dishes that are a part of Italian cuisine include Pizza, Pasta, Lasagna, Risotto, and Tiramisu. Each dish has its unique preparation style and taste, which is influenced by the region it originates from.

Influence

Italian cuisine has had a significant influence on various cuisines around the world. Italian dishes have been adapted and cooked in various styles in different countries, especially in the United States, where dishes like pizza and pasta have become staple foods.

See Also

• Pizza
• Pasta
• Italian Wine
• Italian Cheeses