Italian Food

Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines on the planet. People everywhere love Italian dishes like pizza, pasta, and gelato. Italian cooking uses simple, fresh ingredients to make amazing flavors. Olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and cheese are used in many Italian recipes.

Popular Italian Dishes

Pizza was first made in Naples, Italy, and is now eaten everywhere. Pasta comes in hundreds of shapes like spaghetti, penne, and lasagna. Risotto is a creamy rice dish from northern Italy. Gelato is Italian ice cream that is smoother and softer than regular ice cream.

Italian Food Traditions

In Italy, meals are a time for family and friends to come together. A traditional Italian dinner can have many courses, starting with appetizers and ending with dessert. Italians believe in using the freshest ingredients they can find. Each region of Italy has its own special dishes and recipes that have been passed down for generations.

Fun Facts

• There are over 600 different shapes of pasta in Italy.
• The first modern pizza, the Margherita, was made in 1889 and named after an Italian queen.
• Italians eat about 60 pounds of pasta per person every year.

Did You Know?

In Italy, throwing spaghetti against the wall to see if it is done is actually a myth. Real Italian cooks taste it!