How to Eat Like an Italian
Breakfast:
Italian breakfast is very different from American breakfast. You won’t see breakfast sandwiches with sausage, egg, and cheese and you won’t find any bagels. Many Italians have a quick bite and coffee and a bar. A “bar” in Italy is what we would call a “cafe” in America. So when your walking down the streets and see signs for bars everywhere don’t think all Italians are alcoholics, they might just be addicted to coffee. When you walk into the bar don’t expect it to be like your local Starbucks, here are some tips of how to make like and Italian and get breakfast. Most Italians stand up and drink their coffee at the bar, this is the cheapest and fastest way to get served. When you sit down you will most likely be charged with a service fee. In most bars it is best to go to the cash register first to order and pay then keep your receipt because that is what you will hand to the server, to get served. Not every bar enforces this rule but it is good to keep in the back of your mind. Before you order your coffee it is good to educate yourself of what it is because it can get confusing. For example if you go in and ask for a latte you will probably be served warm milk. Here are some types of coffee:
- Cappuccino: This is simply espresso topped with hot, foamed milk
- Caffè: This translates to “coffee” but Italians consider this a shot of espresso. For example my dad was visiting me and ordered a coffee and was given a espresso shot, not what he wanted or thought he ordered.
- Caffè macchiato: This translates to “spotted” or “stained” coffee, so it is mostly coffee with milk
- Latte Macchiato: This translates to “spotted milk”, so it is mostly milk with coffee
- Caffè Americano: This does not really exist in Italy so if you order it you will most likely get a shot of espresso with hot water
- Caffè Lungo: This translates to a “long” coffee, so with more water but is different from the americano because the espresso machine slows down the process and twice as much water is involved.
When ordering your coffee know that if it is after noon and you order a cappuccino you might get a strange look. This is just not done in Italy, some say it might be because a Cappuccino contains milk and could be used as a replacement for a meal. While you are standing at the bar drinking your coffee pair it with a warm croissant or any pastry that the bar has to offer.
Lunch:
Lunch in Italy is normally the main meal of the day in which the family will return to the house to eat together. Students normally have an hour or so off from school to go eat lunch and some stores such as pharmacies close around one for a couple hours for a lunch break. The first course, “primo”, is most likely a pasta that can be cooked in various ways and using different sauces. You could also have a risotto as an alternative to pasta. The second course or main course, “secondo”, usually consists of a meat or a fish. The meat or fish is usually served with vegetables or salad. For dessert, “dolce”, you could have anything from cake to ice cream but most commonly will be fresh seasonal fruit. Traditionally Italians will drink wine with their meals and is though to be beneficial and needed in the Mediterranean diet. Italy is home to some of the best vineyards in the world and wine is a large part of the Italian culture. Red wine is preferred over white and then sometimes a sweeter dessert wine will be drunk. If you are out and about during the day and don’t have time to sit down for a full course meal I suggest stopping and getting a quick panini to go.
Dinner:
Traditionally diner is not the main meal of the day so after having a big lunch diner is a much lighter meal. Things like soups, salad, cold meats, cheeses, vegetables, and fruit would be served. Or Italians will have either il primo or il secondo but not both. Another thing Italians might do if they do not feel like making something is to go out to a pizzeria or get carry out from a restaurant. In larger cities it is sometimes harder for the family to get back home for lunch so they will have a lighter lunch and make dinner the main meal of the day. At the table the family will discuss the days events and how everyone is doing much like family dinners back in America. In the more rural areas and outside of the cities Italians will still follow the more traditional path a treat lunch as the main meal of the day. It is still customary to drink wine with dinner within moderation because of its many beneficial properties.
Dessert:
Italy is home to a wide variety of decadent desserts, or in Italian “dolce”. From biscotti to tiramisu to gelato, Italians defiantly have a sweet tooth. Tiramisu which translates to “pick me up” is an espresso-spiked treat. You can find it almost anywhere and it is fairly simple to make if you are feeling up to it. Tiramisu is made from ladyfingers dipped in coffee, then layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, and often topped with cocoa. This is a perfect desert to have after dinner. Mascarpone is an Italian cheese that is cream based and used in many desserts such as tiramisu and mascarpone and dark chocolate cream. Biscotti is also an Italian made dessert. They are almond biscuit cookies that originate form the city of Prato. They are twice-baked and very crunch, it is common to dip the biscotti into a dessert wine. Gelato is an Italian phenomenon and is eaten by just about everyone. Wether you are a tourist or a local, old or young, everyone enjoys a nice cup or cone of the creamy, rich, refreshing desert that is gelato. There is probably a Gelateria on just about every corner so it will never be hard to find. The hard part is finding the best gelato wherever you are staying in Italy. Usually the best gelato is not in the touristy areas or the places with the foot-tall mounds of gelato in the display case. The best gelato is usually down a smaller side street and its display is understated. The really touristy areas will also charge you 5 euro for a small when it should really only be 1,50 or 2 euro. Gelato is like ice cream but has a much smother texture. There are many flavor of gelato that range from rich, dark chocolate to fruity, refreshing lemon.
Where ever you are in Italy chances are you will not have trouble finding amazing, mouth watering food. I have lived here for three months and have yet to have a terrible meal. While you are traveling around Italy leave your worries about how many calories and carbs you are eating at home because chances are you will walk them all off anyways. Buon Appetito!
Works Cited:
“How to Drink Coffee… Like An Italian.” Walksofitaly.com. N.p., 27 Sept. 2012. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.
“Eating the Italian Way.” studyinitaly.it. Cineca, n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Defilippo, Anna. “Why Italians Prefer Drinking Wine: In Vino Salus!” Lifeinitaly.com. N.p., 20 Jan. 2013. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Burgess, Helen. “Eating in Italy.” Just Landed. N.p., Oct. 2015. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
