When it comes to Italian food, you need to understand that it wasn’t just the Italians who determined the taste or appearance of the food. There are many other influences that have shaped the Italian food we know today, and if you look hard enough, you can see the hands-on work of some other countries and the imprints on the cultures of Italy. Being good and practical neighbors, the Greeks have had a hand in Italian food culture, and although they did not always get along throughout history, the Italians and the Greeks shared many recipes and improved them. The same may also be of help to the Persians, as the Arabs invaded the regions within Italy and left their mark as well.
Seafood is a new development
While Italians have a lot of seaside, in the early days Italian food culture didn’t really include seafood as one of the best options. It was the Greeks who showed the Italians that seafood abounds and that truly amazing dishes can be made from shellfish and finned fish. There is now a large Italian fishing industry, and it is most evident in the number of people you will find at the local fish markets on Saturday mornings. The Greeks introduced the Italians to fish recipes with white sauces and fine pasta, and the country of Italy embraced and practically adopted this dish as its own. Today you will find many great Italian restaurants that use seafood as their first choice and sales of seafood dishes are through the roof.
The grain that changed a culture
If you had to look at the thing that has changed the Italian culture the most with respect to the best italian restaurant, it would be the introduction of rice by the Arabs. When the Arabs arrived in Italy, they brought with them a grain that is now known as rice. This was brought to Italy via Spain and Greece and actually worked quite well in Italy when installed. The country of Italy was well equipped to grow rice as it required low, flat land near major water sources. Over the years, Italians have used rice to forge some of the most famous recipes available today. And if you dine in Italian at a restaurant, you’ll notice that many dishes are served with rice as the main course or with the rice as a side.
What could be more romantic than a dinner for two, with candlelight and wine? When it comes to eating love, Italian is one of the most common options. But where exactly does this story and this holiday come from? And how can you make that romantic evening even better? That is how.
The wide scope of the kitchen is undeniable.
When it comes down to it, the magnitude of good Italian food is undeniable. Italian restaurants can be found in almost every major city in the world today, and this says a lot about the quality and appreciation of the food that Italians enjoy on a daily basis. It will be hard to find a dish on the Italian menu that doesn’t stand out and make you curious to try it.
