THE CULTURAL INFLUENCES

ON ITALIAN CUISINE
O Italian cuisine is distinct and renowned,
tracing back thousands of years. As with all
great cuisines of the world, Italian cuisine is
a composite of influences from many
different cultures over a large expanse of
time. Today, we explore the cultural
influences on Italian cuisine – from antiquity
to present day.
 THE BEGINNINGS OF
ITALIAN CUISINE
O The beginnings of Italian cuisine can be
traced back to ancient Rome – both the
food itself and the spirit of eating. The
Roman Empire stretched across a vast area
of the ancient world, from the Middle East to
North Africa to the Mediterranean. As the
Roman Empire conquered different areas,
the spices and ingredients of these lands
were incorporated into Roman cuisine.
ITALY REUNIFIED IN 1860

O When Italy unified in the mid-19th century,

the distinct flavors of different geographical
regions of the peninsula became Italian
cuisine. The regions of Italy, to this day,
showcase the diverse array of ingredients
and flavors.
Italian cuisine
 ITALIAN CHEESES
O CHESSES
-Over 450 types of cheeses are produced
throughout Italy , and they play an important
part in region’s cuisine. While lots of cheeses
appear in many regions, numerous cheeses
are available in the specific regions where they
are made . Grated cheeses is frequently
served as a condiment and functions as an
important flavoring.
Gorgonzola cheese

O You’ll recognize this pungent cow’s milk cheese by its

blue-green veins and creamy texture. Gorgonzola
dolce (“sweet gorgonzola”) has a milder taste,
while gorgonzola piccante (“spicy gorgonzola”), while
not exactly spicy, definitely has a sharper flavor. The
beloved cheese gets its distinct flavor from the bacteria
added during the production process, as well as from
the perfect cold, damp conditions that accelerate the
aging process
 Mascarpone cheese

O This thick cheese from Lombardy claims just two

ingredients: cream, and citric acid. That accounts
for its whipped texture and mild, complementary
flavor. You’ll see mascarpone in both savory and
sweet dishes, from risotto to tiramisù—or even just
served with strawberries for a sweet summer dish.
 Mozzarella cheese

O The secret behind mozzarella’s soft, milky

cheese is the spinning and cutting
process used in its production—which is
where it gets its name from (in Neapolitan
dialect, mozzare means “to cut”).
 Soup

O Soup remains an important part of the diet

in Italy . Of course , utilize any available
ingredients and function as an inexpensive
filling menu item. Italian Menus feature
many soup
 Soup

O Minestrone- italian vegetable soup

 Soup

O Pasta e fagioli – a tomato – based soup

containing pasat and beans; this appears on
menus throughout the county .
 Pizza
O Pizza Margherita-named after the first
queen of italy , topped with basil , tomato ,
and mozzarella , representing the green ,
red and white of the italian flag.
 Pizza
O Napoletana – contains tomatoes ,
mozzorella , anchovies , oregano , and oil.
 Dessert
O Amaretti –the italian version of macaroons,
an almond cookie.
 Dissert
O Biscotti – s twice – baked cookie ; many like
to dip them in sweet wine of coffee.
 Italian Cuisine
Characteristics
O Italy's rich culinary history has developed
with a variety of influences including
geography,topography, climate, and the
skills of the home cooks working with
available ingredients.
 Cuisine from the Italian
Islands
O The sea influences island cuisine, with
squid with pasta, or fried as in
calamari,sardines, pastas sauced with
robust Sicilian garlic and tomato sauces,
and vealchops with rosemary and garlic.