Religious Food Practices

In Italy on Christmas Eve, it is traditional no to eat meat and on New Years it is traditional to eat Cotechino or New Years Sausage. On Easter Sunday, people usually gather for the traditional Easter lunch. The menu varies from region to region, but a typical Easter lunch will usually consist of at least 4 courses. Some traditional foods in Italy are pizza and pasta, they are also traditional foods in other countries. 

Facts About Italy

• The ice cream cone is an Italian invention.

• The average Italian consumes half a pound of bread evryday.
• The average Italian consumes 26 gallons of wine a year.
• Pinnochio was written by an Italian.
• Italy became a nation-state in 1861.
• The average Italian family has 1.27 children.
• Almost 20% Italy's population is over 65 years old.
• The expresso machine hails in Italy.
• Italy's national dish is Pasta.
• Italy imports over 75% of its energy.

Italian foods in America

The most common food mistaken to be Italian is pizza which originated in ancient Greece. Lasagna is the dish that originated in Italy and is the most well known food found in other countries. Bread has also originated in Italy and is eaten in America.

Typical Meal

A typical breakfast in Italy consists of an Italian omelette and for lunch and dinner it consists of spaghetti bolognese or with meatballs. Common dishes include Pasta e Fagioli (noodle and bean soup), Fettucine Alfredo, Polenta, Saltimbocca alla Romana (Veal scallops with sage and proscuitto), Santa Lucia, Panettone, and Biscotti.

Italy's Meal Schedule

Throughout each city in Italy the mealtimes differ. The most common would start with Lunch at 1:00 p.m. and Dinner at 8:00 p.m. During lunch time, the siesta, many shops and stores are closed so that everyone can eat, sleep or do whatever they want. It lasts for about three or four hours, this is why dinner is so late and most Italians don't eat breakfast.

Seasonings, spices, herbs, sauces, and etc.

Italians use all types of seasonings and spices in their cooking. Basil, also called basilico, is the most common in Italy. It is popular in pasta and salads. Oregano and chile are also used in Italy. Oregano is popular on bread and pizza. Chile is used on foods to make them spicier. Capers are also used for flavoring and is commonly used for salads.

Common Cooking Methods

Italy has many different types of cooking methods. The most common cooking methods in Italy are sauteing, roasting, and braising. Saute is to sear different meats in a pan, take out, and then leave the juices in so one can put other veggies or fruits in to cook. Roasting is a way to slow cook meat or vegetables uncovered in a dry heated oven. Braising is a way of cooking meat or vegetables by first searing it in hot fat, then simmering it, and covering it to finish cooking. Some other cooking methods are barbequing, deep frying, grilling, poaching, preserving, baking, steaming, stewing, and stir-frying.