subject: Types Of Italian Cuisine: Explaining The Regional Differences [print this page] Various Kinds of Italian cooking Various Kinds of Italian cooking
Generally, Italian cuisine is associated with minestrone, lasagna, tortellini, and spaghetti; however, if you were to take that narrow view of Italian food into Italy, you would be astounded with the myriad of different foods eaten by Italians.
There are 19 regions in Italy, all with its unique cuisine that is based on the seasons of the year. What's important in an Italian kitchen is fresh ingredients; due to this, you'll notice that summer and winter cuisine are incredibly varied.
Northern Italian Cuisine characteristics
Americans are most accustomed to the typical cuisine of northern Italy, where there are heavy dishes with lots of cheese and decadent sauces.
While some northern Italian cuisine will be a bit familiar, you will still find that there are many unique and different foods unique to each individual region.
Southern Cuisine in Italy
Southern Italy has different cuisine because the citizens of south Italy have a diet that contains more fish. Generally speaking, the cuisine of Southern Italy is lighter and healthier. Because of this, southern Italy boasts some of the most healthiest people in the world. The use of extra virgin olive oil is a big reason that the diet of southern Italy is as healthy as it is.
Italian food is delicious and unique, not just spaghetti and meatballs, with a variety of seasonings used for Italian recipes including garlic. Because most Americans have never been to Italy for vacation, many are under the false pretense that Italians use an over abundance of spices in their food.
Spices in Italian food
Since spices enhance the natural flavor of food items, Italians use spices exclusively for this purpose but they do not rely a lot on spices because they depend a lot on seasonal foods that have a lot of taste. A fresh flavor exists in all of their meats, pasta, and sauces. Those who visit, though, have found out that in northern Italy more spices are used in foods than in southern Italy, particularly on the meat dishes.
When dealing with Italian food, it is necessary to know there isn't any regular Italian cuisine. Since there are 19 regions, this means 19 different types of Italian cuisine are available. Every area specializes in a different cooking style that features local produce and meats. Despite regional variations, travelers in Italy will find comfort in the familiarity of the cuisine. This feeling of comfort has made Italian cuisine one of the most celebrated in the world.
