ItalianCuisin e

I t a l i a n C u i s i n e

Italian ingredients and dishes vary by region. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated with variations throughout the country. Cheese and wine are a major part of the cuisine, with many variations and Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) (regulated authority) laws are in place. Coffee, specifically espresso, has become important in Italian cuisine.

Italian ingredients and dishes vary by region. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated with variations throughout the country. Cheese and wine are a major part of the cuisine, with many variations and Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) (regulated authority) laws are in place. Coffee, specifically espresso, has become important in Italian cuisine.

OLIVE OIL PESTO TOMATOES

OLIVE OIL PESTO TOMATOES

The “Big Three” in Italian Cooking.

Italian cuisine is also well known (and well regarded) for its use of a diverse variety of pasta. Pasta include noodles in various lengths, widths and shapes. Distinguished on shapes they are named — penne, maccheroni, spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, lasagne and many more varieties that are filled with other ingredients like ravioli and tortellini.

Italian cuisine is also well known (and well regarded) for its use of a diverse variety of pasta. Pasta include noodles in various lengths, widths and shapes. Distinguished on shapes they are named — penne, maccheroni, spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, lasagne and many more varieties that are filled with other ingredients like ravioli and tortellini.

Italy produces the largest amount of wine in the world and is both the largest exporter and consumer of wine. Only about a quarter of this wine is put into bottles for individual sale. Two-thirds is bulk wine used for blending in France and Germany.

Italy produces the largest amount of wine in the world and is both the largest exporter and consumer of wine. Only about a quarter of this wine is put into bottles for individual sale. Two-thirds is bulk wine used for blending in France and Germany.

P I Z Z A

P I Z Z A

An Italian-American pizza with pepperoni (salami), mushrooms, olives and peppers. Pepperoni, also known as pepperoni sausage, is an American variety of salami, usually made from cured pork and beef mixed together.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Most food historians agree that the union of spaghetti with meatballs is an American culinary invention with Italian roots. Usually, Italian cuisine mixes heavy meat sauces with fettuccine and tagliatelle, but not spaghetti.
Spaghetti Bolognese
Spaghetti bolognese (also known as spaghetti alla bolognese, and nicknamed in Commonwealth countries as spag bol) is a pasta dish found outside of Italy, consisting of spaghetti served with a ground meat sauce.

Ravioli

Q U I Z:

Q U I Z:

• What are the three most essential ingredients in Italian cooking?
• Which type of coffee is the quintessential Italian drink for all occasions?
• Which of these is not a pasta as such: penne; spaghetti; ravioli?

Quiz Answers:

Quiz Answers:

• What are the three most essential ingredients in Italian cooking?

Pesto, tomatoes and Olive Oil

2. Which type of coffee is the quintessential Italian drink for all occasions?

Espresso

• Which of these is not a pasta as such: penne; spaghetti; ravioli?

Ravioli are a type of dumpling composed of a filling sealed between two layers of thin pasta dough.