Italian
Food
La cucina italiana with its appetizing medleys of aromas, flavors, colors
and textures continues to gain magnitude as the world's favorite way of
cooking. Italian food is doubly appealing for its healthful nature, for
the olive oil, grains, vegetables, herbs, fish, cheese, fruit and wine of
the ancient Mediterranean, the elements esteemed as ideal for a modern diet.
The pleasures of pasta, pizza, prosciutto, risotto, balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano
Reggiano and Grana Padano, mozzarella, gelato and espresso are so popular
abroad that it's hard to imagine that Italy doesn't have a stereotyped national
cuisine. Instead, cooks over the ages have created a monumental repertory
of dishes that vary from region to region and town to town.
What sets the cooking of Italy apart from that of any other country is the
variety of ingredients and the spontaneity of preparation that makes a recipe
not a routine but a point of reference for a creative experience. The keynote
of la cucina italiana is individual expression
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Northern
Italy The eight regions of what is loosely defined as northern Italy boast the nation's highest... see more |
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Central
Italy Art and literature have emphasized the extravagant banquets of Renaissance courts... see more |
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Southern
Italy and Islands Most of the basic elements, olive oil, wine, cheese, grains, fruits... see more |
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Italian
Cookbooks Visit Barnes and Noble Booksellers online for a wide variety of Italian cookbooks... see more |