Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine (pronunciation: /ɪˈtæl.jən kʊɪˈziːn/) is a style of cooking originating from Italy. It has developed through centuries of social and economic changes, with roots stretching to antiquity.
Etymology
The term "Italian cuisine" comes from the Latin word coquere, meaning "to cook", and the Italian word cucina, meaning "kitchen" or "cooking".
History
Italian cuisine has its origins in Etruscan, ancient Greek, and ancient Roman cuisines. Significant changes occurred with the discovery of the New World with the introduction of items such as potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers and maize, now central to the cuisine but not introduced in quantity until the 18th century.
Ingredients
Italian cuisine is noted for its regional diversity, abundance of difference in taste, and is known to be one of the most popular in the world. It is characterized by its simplicity, with many dishes having only two to four main ingredients. Italian cooks rely chiefly on the quality of the ingredients rather than on elaborate preparation.
Notable ingredients of Italian cuisine include pasta, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, basil, and various types of meats and fish.
Regional Variations
Italian cuisine varies greatly by region. The Northern Italian cuisine is characterized by a lesser use of olive oil and tomato sauce and a heavier reliance on butter (or lard), rice, corn (for polenta), and cheeses for cream sauces. Southern Italian cuisine, on the other hand, relies heavily on tomato sauce, garlic, olives, olive oil, seafood, and capers.
Related Terms
- Pasta - a type of Italian noodle made from an unleavened dough of wheat flour mixed with water or eggs.
- Pizza - a savory dish of Italian origin consisting of a usually round, flattened base of leavened wheat-based dough topped with tomatoes, cheese, and often various other ingredients.
- Risotto - a northern Italian rice dish cooked with broth until it reaches a creamy consistency.
- Tiramisu - a popular coffee-flavoured Italian dessert.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Italian cuisine
- Wikipedia's article - Italian cuisine
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