Did you know that there are around 100,000 Italian eateries in the USA right now?
Italian cuisine is more popular now than ever. But how did Italian food captivate American tastebuds and become a staple of our diets today?
If you’re interested in learning about the rich culinary history of Italy, we’ve got you covered. This guide outlines the history of Italian cuisine and showcases some of the best Italian food.
Read on to learn more.
The Origins of Italian Cuisine
For millennia, the highways and harbors of the Italian peninsular have served as a crossroads for civilization, a place where world influences have met and mingled culturally.
The culinary influences of the Roman Empire were vast. As the empire expanded into Europe and beyond, they discovered new ingredients, cooking methods, and food traditions – all of which have played a role in making Italian cuisine what it is today.
The Romans had a rich and important culture of large group meals and banquets. These would include culinary delights from all over the empire – including ostrich.
While you won’t find ostrich in modern Italian restaurants, this spirit of eclectic and experimental cooking is still alive today.
During the medieval period, invaders conquered parts of southern Italy. Fruit sorbet – the forefather of Italian gelato – was introduced by Arab colonists.
Because the Arabs were mariners, they needed dry foods to last them on their voyages. This included vast amounts of pasta, which they introduced to Sicily while it was under their control.
Italian Food Today
Invaders, foreign trade, and immigration have all had an impact on Italian cuisine. As a result, Italian food is rich, varied, and exciting.
Some of Italy’s most famous dishes – like pizza and spaghetti sauce – only exist due to global and cultural influences. Tomatoes have only been on Italian menus for a few centuries, being imported from the Americas.
Pizza was traditionally a fast food dish made up of tomato and flatbread, enjoyed by southern Italy’s blue-collar workers as a convenient snack.
When Italy’s rulers visited Naples in the 1800s, they tried pizza to get a taste for the local cuisine. This led to the dish becoming popular across the country.
Today, American Italian food has its own unique style – combining traditional food from Italy with all the best American ingredients and techniques to create the dishes we know and love.
The Rich History of Italian Cuisine
There’s so much to learn when it comes to the deep, nuanced history of Italian cuisine. We recommend immersing yourself in the culinary delights of Italy by trying Italian food first hand.
Whether you go to an Italian restaurant or cook up some classics at home, the best Italian cuisine should be part of your menu from now on.
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