Eating
in Italy is a gustatory delight. You will
eat far more and far more frequently than
planned and not regret a cent spent. The
common specialities of food obviously include
all the regular pizza's, pastas, cheeses,
hams and various breads but these actually
originated in different regions of Italy.
Try to find out the local speciality.
SPECIALTIES
Formaggio (cheese) - numerous kinds. Prosciutto(ham) - numerous kinds.
Foccaccia and panini - sandwiches. Pane (bread) - various kinds but most
Italian bread is designed to be eaten the same day. Gelati (icecream) -
numerous kinds including Baci (chocolate), amarena (cherry), straciatella
(vanilla with chocolate chips) etc. Tiramisu - very rich chocolate desert.
Pastries - various, very sweet and sugary. Pastas - numerous kinds including
tortellini (round and filled), ravioli (square filled), spirals, macaroni,
tagliatelli. Sauces - are numerous, the main ones are arrabiata (spicy with
onion and tomato), ragu (meat), pomodoro (tomato), funghi (mushrooms).
Pizza - margherita (tomato and onion), stagione (four seasons), quattro
formaggio (four cheeses).
However in different regions there are specialities. Tuscany: Tuscan Bread,
Wild Rabbit, Wild Boar, soups cooked with bread.
HOW IT'S EATEN
Food is always served in a particular order
and as a series of courses starting
with an antipasto (usually just cheeses,
vegetables or prosciutto), primi piatti
(first plate which is usually pasta, rice
or soup), secondi piatti (second plate,
usually sliced meats and vegetables or salad)
and then dolci (sweets) followed by cafe
(coffee). Each is completely separate. The
only thing that is always on the table is
bread and wine. Never order tea or cappuccino
after dinner, they will serve it but Italians
have espresso (a small very strong serve
of coffee).
HOW TO ORDER IN A RESTAURANT
Food is served in courses as outlined above
and you can usually order these as you go.
The bill is normally produced for you and
you pay at the table. In some restaurants
you have the option to stand at the bar
to eat, this way you can avoid the table
charge. In some cafes the same system applies.
Most people drink their coffee standing
anyway.
SHOPPING FOR FOOD
Italian shopping centres are an experience
in themselves. Shoppers are required to
wear a plastic glove when selecting fruit
and vegetables and to weigh each purchase
at the machine and add the sticky stamp
to the bag. At the paying counters themselves
it is painfully slow as everyone packs their
own shopping, the supermarket assistants
are in no hurry, old women are continually
pushing in (guard your spot and keep your
elbows out). Italians shop with a siege
mentality. If the shopping centre is to
close on Wednesdays then Tuesdays are best
avoided. It will be bursting at the seams
with people fighting for the last produce
as it is not restocked.
HYGIENE
Italians are particular about hygiene but
food preparation and service may differ
from what you expect. They will not always
wear gloves or hair nets, and may even finger
the food, but the produce is generally very
fresh and clean so there is no threat of
disease. In many restaurants the families
running them actually eat the food themselves
so it is almost like a home cooked meal.
FOOD BUDGET PER DAY
If you eat out three meals a day you can budget on: Breakfast - Euros 3 a
coffee and pastry. Lunch - Euros 5 for a panini and drink. Dinner - Euros
15 - 20 for a main course and wine.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is usually consumed with every meal
eaten out. Even in the morning it is not
unusual to take an alcoholic drink for breakfast.
Wines - Chianti. Grappa - white wine from
rice. Spumante - champagne-like bubbly drink.
Mirto - sweet Sardegnian wine. Lemoncello
- lemon flavoured strong alcoholic drink
designed to be sipped slowly.
COFFEE
The cafe scene in Italy is an integral part of culture and has a distinct
and complex system to ordering, there are also drinks for different
occasions and other taboos most travellers don't know about. Breaking any of
the drinking rules below will quickly expose you as a tourist. In most cafes
you order the coffee and pay for it when you leave the shop, other places
require you to prepay at a different bar and with the receipt you order your
coffee. Cafes are also not places for lingering, most locals will have
downed their coffee standing and be out the door before you have taken a
sip.
There are several kinds of coffees. Espresso: the basic coffee drink served
in a tiny cup or glass. It can be drunk at any time of the day, but is the
ideal after-dinner drink. A ristretto (extra strong espresso) and corretto
(espresso with a shot of grappa) are slight variations of this. A caffè
macchiato is a cross between an espresso and a cappuccino. A latte macchiato
is hot milk with a dash of espresso. An americano or doppio is an espresso
topped up with hot water. Cappuccino's are morning drinks only, they are
considered a meal in itself as this much milk is considered bad for the
stomach at night especially after a big Italian dinner. They are also served
luke-warm so they can be drunk quickly and standing up. If you sit down to
drink your coffee it will cost a lot more than it would at the bar.
Variations on the cappucino include cappuccino senza schiuma (without the
foam), also called a caffè latte. If you want a long glass of cold black
coffee, ask for a caffè freddo.
