| s one of the oldest countries in the world, and thanks | | | | Italian-Asian fusion restaurants are even beginning to |
| to the geographical boundaries of the Mediterranean | | | | evolve. |
| Sea and the Alps it has remained largely unchanged | | | | Italian food has captured the hearts of people around |
| throughout history. Even during the Roman Empire, Italy | | | | the world. People in Italy have a gastronomical affair |
| was set apart. Legions that had been abroad always | | | | with food. Eating is a passion and an integral part of |
| knew when they had returned to the mother country. | | | | the culture in Italy. So when you are in Italy, expect to |
| Italy's food history, however, reaches far beyond the | | | | add a few pounds to your frame. Italian food finds it |
| country's borders. From the height of the Roman | | | | roots back to different regions and is influenced by |
| Empire to modern-day Italy, food has played a crucial | | | | various factors. If you are looking for healthy and |
| part in cultural traditions and is a part of the Italian | | | | cheaper food, then you must venture into South Italy. |
| experience that many travellers to the country relish | | | | The world famous and supremely popular Pizza was |
| above all else! And where better to experience the | | | | born in Campania along with tubular pizza and the |
| beauty and delights of Italian cookery than in the | | | | various tomato based pizza and pasta sauces. Even if |
| country's vibrant and imposing capital Rome. | | | | you are one of those few people who do not like |
| The spread of Italian food diversity began after the fall | | | | pizzas, you should try one. The reason the Italian |
| of the Roman Empire when individual city states | | | | pizzas are popular is because of its simplicity and its |
| began to uphold separate identities and traditions. Each | | | | fresh ingredients. Pizza margherita is the most popular |
| region began to display its own unique way of cooking, | | | | pizza in Italy named after Queen Margherita. |
| right down to the formation of a meatball to the | | | | No body can deny that, Italian dishes are some of the |
| characteristic cheeses and wine produced in a locale. | | | | tastiest preparations in the world. Along with including |
| The north developed Tuscan beef, while black truffles | | | | various healthy ingredients like fresh vegetables and |
| were very popular in Marches. Provolone and | | | | grains, a large number of Italian recipes are served |
| mozzarella cheeses developed in the south, as well as | | | | best with different types of specialized sauces and |
| a host of interesting citrus fruits. | | | | condiments. Among the rest, meat sauces, prepared in |
| Even today, Italian food history continues to evolve. | | | | a variety of ways, form some of the most common |
| Much of the changes now, though, take place beyond | | | | parts of a variety of Italian recipes. From pastas and |
| the shores of Italy. In America, for example, chefs like | | | | spaghetti preparations to lasagna and meatballs, meat |
| Mario Batali have fused classic Italian dishes with | | | | sauces are served with a wide variety of Italian dishes. |
| American cuisine to come up with dishes that combine | | | | Italian desserts are probably the most unusual, at least |
| the best of both worlds. In cities and towns all over the | | | | to Americans. They include things with names like |
| country, chefs are taking traditional ingredients and | | | | spumoni and tortoni. If you don't know what they are, |
| combining them in new ways. In what could perhaps | | | | find yourself a good Italian restaurant and experience |
| be called a "full-circle" journey for pasta, some | | | | them. |