Some interesting things about Italian cuisine and Italian restaurants (1 photo)

1. “Italian wedding soup” - such a dish does not exist in Italy

It's hard to say exactly where this dish came from. It is likely that this is the result of a fusion of Italian and American cuisines. For those of you who have never heard of it before, soup consists of rich broth, meat and vegetables. This is a tasty soup, but if you ask for the dish on Italian soil, the waiter will likely be puzzled.



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2. Italians don't use a lot of garlic.

Garlic bread seems to be a staple in many Italian restaurants around the world, but you'll be hard-pressed to find it in Italy itself. As for bread, it is usually served plain without soaking in garlic butter. When it comes to seasoning and flavor, true Italian cuisine uses minimal spices. Italians rely on the combination of flavors of fresh ingredients in their dishes.

3. Italians drink coffee differently than many people think.

The proliferation of coffee shops offering coffee with fancy Italian names is misleading people. In Italy, café au lait is a breakfast drink; you will never see an Italian drinking a cappuccino after 11 am. After a meal, they usually drink espresso, and usually at a bar, while the foam is still fresh.

4. Spaghetti and meatballs are not Italian dishes

Probably the most famous "Italian" dish in the world is spaghetti and meatballs. Unfortunately, these are not authentic Italian dishes. You won't find many pasta dishes with meat in Italy, and such dishes are typically cooked "al forno" (baked). And if we talk about meat and pasta, chicken is something that you will never see in pasta in Italy; it is generally not a very popular meat among Italians.

5. Bread is not a snack for you.

You entered the restaurant, sat down and placed your order. Soon the waiter returns and brings a basket of bread. WAIT! Put down the bread! In Italy, bread is used to “mop up” any excess sauce left on the plate after a meal. If you want to dine Italian style, leave the bread until the end of the meal and savor it with the sauce. In Italy it is called "Fare la scarpetta".

6. Either eat or walk

In Italy, eating on the go is considered disrespectful. Someone took the time and effort to create food so that you can be satisfied and enjoy it, which cannot be achieved if you are in a hurry. This fits well with the general food mentality in Italy: it's important to take your time, laugh with friends and family, eat well and relax.

7. PEPPERONI PIZZA? Not in Italy

Fun fact: the word "peperoni" with one P is Italian for pepper, so don't be surprised if you order a "pepperoni pizza" and get something significantly more vegetarian. It is believed that pepperoni originated from the USA, and the sausage included in the recipe is not Italian at all.

8. Bar In Italy may come as a surprise to you

In general, if you encounter a bar in Italy, it will not be like bars in most other countries. For the most part, these are places where people go to have a breakfast of pastries and espresso. Of course, in more touristy areas you will most likely find the types of bars you are used to, but when searching for the nearest bar in Italy, be careful.

9. Real Italian pizza is easier than you think.

In Italy you can only find pizza with a thin layer of dough, but the thick and fluffy crust variety was invented outside of Italy. The fillings are also usually much simpler than what you're used to, with the most popular being the simple margarita. Also, in Italy they don’t serve pizza in restaurants, that’s what pizzerias are for, so don’t be surprised if “pizza” isn’t on the menu.

10. Salad is not your snack.

Believe it or not, salad in Italy is not an appetizer, although many people think the opposite. Italians eat salads after meals, as roughage helps with digestion. Salad dressing in Italy doesn't require any special ingredients, all you need is good olive oil and vinegar.