Whether you’re hitting up an Italian restaurant Napa CA or just spending a night cooking at home, nothing comforts quite like a hot plate of Italian food. Italian food has become a staple in the United States over the past several decades, and for good reason. If you love Italian food, you may be interested in these fun facts about where it came from, how it got so popular and why it’s spread all across the world.
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Spaghetti and Meatballs Doesn’t Exist in Italy
When many Americans think of the stereotypically “Italian” dish, they may think of spaghetti and meatballs, a classic beloved by kids and adults alike. However, Italians don’t actually put meatballs on spaghetti! Despite its fame around the world, spaghetti and meatballs seems to be an American invention. In Italy, pasta dishes aren’t usually topped with meat.
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Italians Only Drink Cappuccinos in the Morning
If you’ve been enjoying the newly available Italian cappuccino drink at your local coffee shop as an afternoon pick-me-up, you may be interested to know that in Italy, coffee with milk is usually reserved for the mornings. While it’s true that many Italians will drink coffees in the afternoons or after dinner as a palate cleanser, it will usually just be a simple espresso.
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You Can Use Bread for Sauce
While in many American restaurants, it’s common to see the bread bowl served at the start of the meal as an appetizer, in Italy, bread actually serves a different use. It’s usually used to mop up any sauce left after finishing a dish!
For many Americans, and for people around the world, Italian cuisine is not only a delicacy but a beloved staple that soothes and satisfies cravings like nothing else. With its delicious flavors, simplicity in preparation and widespread popularity, Italian food looks to remain an important part of the world’s gastronomic landscape for years to come.