The original name for spaghetti was maccheroni. The word spaghetti actually means strings. Before the existence of pasta factories, people made their own spaghetti and would hang it outside to dry. But that is not all Italians are known for! Traditional Central Italian cuisine uses ingredients such as tomatoes, all kinds of meat, fish, and pecorino cheese.
So lets check out some facts about their cuisine and eating habits!
1. Italians take their food very seriously. The main meal of the day is at lunch time.
2. The word for ‘the lunch ‘ is il pranzo.
3. Il primo is the course that is served first which is pasta or minestrone.
4. Il secondo is the main course which is meat or fish with salad or vegetables.
5. After dinner, Italians love to enjoy fruit and perhaps a dessert along with espresso coffee.
6. You only drink milky coffee, like cappuccino and caffelatte, first thing in the morning for breakfast.
7. Spaghetti and meatballs is actually not an Italian dish!
8. In Italy walking whilst eating is considered disrespectful.
9. The word for ‘the breakfast’ is la prima colazione.
10. Sea food is called frutti di mare, meaning fruits of the sea.
11. Italians often say that ‘a good appetite develops whilst you are eating’ – ‘L’appetito vien mangiando.’
12. The pizza was invented in Naples during the 18th century. Originally, it was just a dry, flat bread and was considered food for poor people.
13. At Christmas, Italians eat a special bread cake called il panettone.
14. On the 1st. of January, Italians eat lentils for good luck in the new year.
15. At Easter, they eat a special bread-cake in the shape of a dove. It is called la colomba.
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