Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! If you are reading this post, you have found my tenth blog, or in Italian, il mio decimo post sul blog. And if that is not music to your ears, then today’s topic will surely get you movin’ to the beat. Just like in America, music is a staple of Italian culture. Yet the Italians take the melody to a completely different realm than the pelvis-shaking pizzazz of Elvis Presley and the booming bass of Drake. Come along with me as I unfold the symphony of the big boot’s rich music taste.

It may come as no surprise that much of the traditional popular music in Italy took its roots in opera. Even entering the 1900’s, many songs relied on the bellowing talent of an opera singer. Perhaps one of the most iconic songs, O Sole Mio (1898) features the profound, elongated melodies and the large octave range of an opera song. Songs like O Sole Mio are well-known even among young children today and have been covered by Italian greats like Luciano Pavarotti and even Elvis himself. Fast forward to the mid and late 20^th century, and artists still marched to the beat of the same drum. Lucio Dalla’s Caruso (1986) and Andrea Bocelli’s Con te Partirò (1995) are just a few songs that mimic this iconic style. In addition, many of these famous pieces have been covered by various artists and groups over the years. Namely, the young trio Il Volo remasters several classics, causing songs like Caruso to hit a high note.

Just like everywhere else in the world, however, Italians’ music tastes evolved over the years. In the 1950’s and 1960’s the Italians decided to jazz up their songs with stylistic elements from jazz. Popular hits like Tu Vuò Fa’ L’Americano (1956) and Volare, Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (1958) carried swingy melodies and jazzy percussion elements. And if that’s not enough of a change in tempo, the music once again shifted to conform to the rising style of pop in the 1980’s and 1990’s. It was during this time that some of the catchiest Italian songs were released. Personally, one of my favorite singles, Totò Cutugno’s L’Italiano (1983) was released during this period. This song truly embodies Italian culture, as it describes common “stereotypes” and expresses pride in these commonalities. Lines like “Buongiorno Italia, Buongiorno Maria” resonate with many, especially because it seems like a third of Italian women have some variation of the name Maria. And while a song about being Italian seems like it would be tone deaf, the entirety of Italy and I assure you that it is worth its legendary status.

Nowadays, Italian music has diverged into two prominent categories: pop and hip-hop. Names like Irama, Fedez, and Ana Mena thrill the younger population with upbeat tunes. If you enjoy songs like Danza Kuduro, chances are, you will like the similarly styled Italian songs, like Irama’s Una Cosa Sola and Fred De Palma’s TUTTO QUELLO CHE HO. If you are a larger fan of hip-hop, may I interest you in Sfera Ebbasta? His songs may not be to the same beat as those of Lil Baby, but his songs have gained traction internationally. As a matter of fact, he has even collaborated with Offset and Diplo. In short, Italian music has everything needed to please a broad audience. If you are interested in listening to a song, I will link a few below. With that, I will be signing off once more. Arrivederci!

Songs:

O Sole Mio

Volare

L’Italiano

Una Cosa Sola

Mezzanotte

Famoso

Sources:

Top 13 Italian Songs

Caruso Story

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! I hope you came to this blog hungry. Before you stop reading here because you anticipate this to be the billionth blog about food and drinks, hear me out. Today, we are talking about Italian grandparents and their legacy. And what does Nonna love to do most? To put it simply, she loves cooking for her grandchildren. Still, I am sure that some are still not interested in today’s talk. Really, who wants to hear about grandparents? What you must understand is that there is more to the story than that. Seeing Nonni (Italian grandparents) as old people is like reading the first chapter of a novel and believing you understand the whole book. Trust me, you will want to read all the chapters to get the whole scoop (of gelato).

What separates the classic Nonno and Nonna from the rest of the grandparents on Earth is their lasting impact on their families. As a member of an Italian immigrant family myself, let me assure you that the love of an Italian grandparent extends way beyond anything else. A key attribute that grounds their passion for family is resilience. After the second World War, Southern Italy was left in shambles. A solid meal for an entire family was a loaf of bread, and townspeople lived among their livestock. For our young Nonni, their lifestyle was painful, and as they grew up, they became determined to prevent the same from happening to their children. Many thus moved to America for its promise, while others were not fortunate enough to leave. Regardless of their circumstances, however, Italian grandparents all faced hardships beyond imagination. Yet they never complained. They never took a day off. And most importantly, they never quit.

With the values of faith and family, they instilled the importance of hard, honest work into their children’s minds and nurtured them beyond their best ability. A story that particularly resonates with me is one that my aunt told me. As a teen, she had a mall day planned with her friends, but she needed money. Consequently, my aunt proceeded to ask my grandfather for money, and after some coaxing, he gave her a few dollars. Little did she know, that was the last of his money, and he selflessly gave it to her. This encounter demonstrates the tenderness Italians have towards family, especially those of younger generations. It is evident that this love has lasting impacts, as well. Compared to other cultures, Italians are known to have strong family bonds, and this is thanks to Nonna’s extensive care. Yet Nonni have a tough side harder than the volcanic rock of Mount Etna. When it comes to their children’s and grandchildren’s success, Italians are sticklers of good practices and conduct. However, due to their strictness, Italian Americans often have better experiences than preceding generations. And this leads me to my last point: as Italian Americans, we must never forget what our grandparents did for us. Words cannot express the adversity that out Nonni faced, nor can it express the debt we owe them. So whether you are Italian or not, let this inspire you to work harder and give more than what you think you can. Someone down the line did just that to guide your destiny; don’t let that hard work go to waste! Grazie e ci vediamo presto!

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! It is grind season here in State College, and that got me thinking of grinds (as in coffee). To some of us, there is nothing better than a warm cup of joe to help power through a long night of studying. If you are a coffee enthusiast, you have probably fallen victim of the lines at one of the university Starbucks. After a week of hard work and little sleep, I too found myself ordering a cup of the limited-run Apple Crisp Macchiato. As a coffee lover who does not normally go to Starbucks, this was an exciting experience for me… until I took the first sip. The macchiato was entirely too sweet, and I questioned if the liquid inside my cup was even coffee. Frustrated, I decided that I needed to inform others of better coffee. Why waste money at Starbucks when you can make it on your own? By the end of the blog, you’ll be a star and save a ton of bucks! So let’s take a trip to Italy and experience a quality brew!

Of course, Italian coffee is not quite the same as American coffee. In Italy, venti and trenta mean twenty and thirty, not Starbucks sizes. In reality, the coffee comes in smaller cups than a tall. How could this be better than what we have in America? An Italian would respond to that by saying “Nella botte piccolo fa il vino buono,” which figuratively translates to “good things come in small packages.” The true forte of Italian coffee is its richness; despite coming in a shot glass-sized cup, espresso packs the same punch as an entire cup of brewed coffee. Because the flavor is much denser, espresso tastes more high-quality than your standard cup of coffee. And that’s just one of the perks of Italian coffee (that joke could have bean better)! Brewing espresso is also an awesome experience. Traditionally, Italians make espresso in a moka, a small pot with an iconic shape. Mokas consist of three parts: a bottom container, espresso tray, and top pot. To make coffee, you pour water into the bottom container. Then, that rises through the espresso tray (which is filled with coffee grounds) when the water boils. And finally, the hot espresso trickles into the top pot. If you do not have the patience for a moka, there are even professional machines that simply require you to place the coffee in a tray. The final product varies between these two methods, but both create an authentic flavor.

This sounds great, but what if you dislike the strong, bitter taste of espresso? Fear not, because you have a latte of options when it comes to sweetening your coffee (and latte is not one of them). The most iconic is a cappuccino, which adds milk and milk foam to a standard espresso. The coffee absorbs some of the sweeter taste of the milk, and it creates a delightful balance between sweet and bitter. The problem is, Italians do not tend to serve cappuccinos after 11 A.M. No need to worry, though, because you can also choose from options like the macchiato and caffèlatte (which feature less and more milk than a cappuccino, respectively). Of course, adding sugar is always an option, but some Italians strongly believe against using sugar to sweeten their espresso. Really, it comes down to whatever floats your gondola. This is all I have time for today, but if you are still curious, I have a link below that will show you some more variations of espresso that are worth trying. Arrivederci e buon caffè!

 

13 Types Of Coffee In Italy | A Sprinkle Of Italy

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! After writing two hat tricks of previous blog posts, our focus today shifts to Italy’s favorite sport—soccer. While this may not surprise you, what will blow your mind is that soccer in Italy is not denoted by some linguistic variation of football. Rather, Italians refer to the sport as calcio (pronounced CAHL-cho). Italian soccer has a history decorated with passion and excellence. From the national team, called ­Gli Azurri, to the clubs, like Juventus and AC Milan, calcio is a prominent part of Italian culture that cannot be kicked to the curb. My gooooooal here today is to familiarize you with some of the basics of calcio, a few of the greatest to play on the pitch, and a handful of the rising soccer stars playing in Italy.

If you watch the World Cup, you may notice that Italy wears blue and white instead of their national colors of red, white, and green. In fact, this azure blue lends to the name Gli Azurri. I bet that blue your mind! But why are the national team’s colors different from their flag? Unknown to many, the Italian flag was mainly “savoy blue” until the end of World War II. At that point, Italy had already won two World Cups, and the team decided to keep their blue uniforms. And if this was not enough to knock your socks and shin guards off, let’s talk domestic calcio. Italian soccer functions in a hierarchy of leagues, ranging from the local to national level. The main league, Serie A, consists of the top 20 club teams in Italy. What are the stakes of being in Serie A? If a team is a bottom-three finisher, it is relegated to Serie B (a lower league) and, if a team is a top-four team, it gains a spot in the next year’s UEFA Champions League (the most competitive, highly anticipated competition in soccer). Knowing what is at stake, teams compete fiercely during the 38-matchday Serie A season.

But there is more to the story than just the teams. What about the players? When considering the all-time greats of Italian soccer, Paolo Maldini (left) often comes to mind. A tall, athletic defender, Maldini, aka Il Capitano, had a decorated career, lifting the Champions League trophy and multiple league titles. Unlike many in the sport, he played until the age of 41. Another noteworthy player, Argentine midfielder Diego Maradona (right) contends for the title of greatest of all time due to his dominance on the pitch. While playing for S.S.C. Napoli and the Argentina national team, he won two Serie A titles and a World Cup. His footwork is regarded as some of the best, and his “Hand of God” goal is the most famous in the game.

Does the talent in Italy stop there? By no means! Rising stars in Serie A are more numerous than the stars in the sky. Names like Giacomo Raspadori, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Chiesa, and Rafael Leao are bringing a new age of dominance to calcio (now that’s a mouthful). A key part of both Juventus and the Italian national team, Chiesa’s (top) ball control and finishing skills make him a top contender in Italy and the entire world. Meanwhile, Rafael Leao’s (bottom) speed, agility, and footwork causes severe troubles for defenders. Overall, the influx of young talent has made calcio highly competitive, rejuvenating the Italian spirit after heartbreaking drought years. And as this spirit lives on, a large portion of Italian culture stays lively. Grazie for reading along, and as always, ci sentiamo presto!

Paolo Maldini: stats and matches | AC Milan

Diego Maradona

Ciao e Benvenuto a tutti! I hope you brought your wallet for this post, because we are about to enter the store of style! Surely, you have all heard about companies like Gucci, Prada, and Versace. If this level of attire is your thing, you may want to visit Milan. Like I always say—you can take fashion away from Milano, but you can’t take Milano away from fashion. And I am sure you can name a menagerie of famous Italian products, like the Gucci belts, Prada bags, and Versace dresses. I could talk all day about the stuff you already know, but I want to knock your Gucci flip flops off. So, let’s scrap that idea; all of that is too expensive anyway. What do average Italian people wear?

Mainly, we will focus on the clothing in Gianni Versace’s homeland: the deep south. Regions like Calabria, Sicily, and Campagna are known for having a much less wealthy, agrarian demographic (They are Farmers bumbumbumbumbumbumbum). In other words, the people down south wear fits that are simpler than the haughty designer clothes seen in the north. Okay, I know I am a big hater of the northerners, but my goal here is to Puglia (pronounced pull-ya) away from the basic culture you see in a travel magazine. Anyway, if there is one general rule of thumb for men’s style in the south, it is that everything is TIGHT! I have no clue how the guys put on some of their clothes, but they really pull off the style. For casual occasions, the men sport polos, V-necks, and button downs unbuttoned at the top. They tend to like skinny jeans (what a surprise) and chinos, which they pair with causal sneakers and sometimes loafers. If the guys feel Burberry-esque, they may even rock (I mean really rock) a scarf, experiment with colors, and sport a hat. In Italy, even the men look so fresh and so clean.

For the women, it may be a bit more convoluted, but I’ll do my best to paint you an accurate picture. Additionally, the ladies do tend to buy more designer products. Before we get into that, however, let’s start with hair. We all know that dark Italian complexion lends to some lush, dark hair. Many Italian women embrace their inner paesana and choose not to color their hair completely blond. In terms of brands, guys and gals alike wear Lacoste, Fila, Guess, and Tommy Hilfiger. And for the attire itself, women wear clothes slightly different what is worn in America. You will see less crop-tops and high-cut tops. Not to mention, leggings would be a stretch. Overall, their style is slightly more formal than American women’s casual clothing, but many of the same ideas apply.

Now for my realm of expertise: bags. Apart from the infamous Gucci and Prada bags, Italian females love more budget-friendly purses. One of my personal favorites is the Y Not? brand bags. These purses are offered in a variety of sizes and feature prints of cities. Their colorful designs distinguish them from the boring brown Louis Vuitton bags they resemble. Another interesting bag option in Italy is the O Bag. Some key features of this brand are the modular design and recycled rubber material that is used to make the bags. As weird as it sounds, a rubber purse can really be trendy. Still not convinced” Take it from me, an Italian woman without her purse is like a pizza without the cheese—neither work properly. I hope you found this guide very useful and consider these trends if you go to Italy. But for now, I am signing off; ci vediamo presto!

Useful Bag Links:

Shopping Bags da Donna Online | YNot? Milano | Borse Shopper Online

O bag | Official Online Shop | Check out the new collection

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! If you have made it this far in my Italian blog, consider yourself in the secondo phase (refer to the Pienissimo blog if confused) of the meal. Today, we are changing course in our trip across Italy and making a stop in the vacation section! A wonderful Italian vacation—it is something we would all love. Just imagine traveling around the peninsula in spaghetti-shaped fashion. Surely, your trip would be no bore, as there is plenty to do in Italy. Really, there is too much to do. Whether you take a jaw-dropping a trip inside the Colosseum or sail in the seas off the coast of Portofino, your eyes will have as much to feast on as your stomach. But what if you want to escape the rush of the city and the company of other tourists? I mean, who really wants to have a basic vacay? Fear not my friends, for I am going to spotlight some destinations that will give you a unique, thrilling trip!

First and foremost, I would like to inform you about the island of Sardinia (Sardegna for my real Italian folk). This island rivals Sicily in size, but it seems to be forgotten by many. And while Sicily is my personal favorite, I am a little biased. It is truly a surprise that Sardegna is overlooked in the grand scheme of Italian tourism, as it is extremely beautiful. The beaches there are white and sandy, and the culture is as intriguing as the rest of Italy. Doesn’t sound attractive enough? May I introduce you to L’Archipelago Maddalena. If the name isn’t enough to grab your attention, certainly the attractions are. This chain of 7 islands furnishes visitors with snorkeling and clear seas. And if you want to prolong your stay, you can stay in the 5-star Ma&Ma hotel. If you aren’t amazed by that, towns such as Alghero reflect Catalan influences, while other destinations show Greek culture as well. What I believe is the best part, however, is the small-town experience, where you can truly immerse into the culture of Sardegna.

If you are more like me, however, you would like to see every inch of Sicily. And to do so is not as easy as pizza pie. Personally, I have been to Sicily 5 times and have only seen a few snippets of the island. No matter who you are, Sicily can cater to your desires. The natural scenery and appeal of the island looks like it came out of a Da Vinci painting. First, Mount Etna, one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, will give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the natural landscape. Not only will the mountain itself amaze you, but it also formed breathtaking landmarks, like Gole Alcantara. Not to mention, the Sicilian coastline itself is worth seeing. But if you are not into the natural stuff, rest assured that there are tons of towns to visit. Some of my favorites are Cefalù, Taormina, and Siracusa. Other towns I have heard good things about are Noto, Agrigento, and Trapani. Overall, you can’t go wrong wherever you go. I hope this helps you out if you are considering an Italy trip. And to that I have to say buon viaggio! Ci vediamo presto!

Below are linked to more resources on travel:

What to see in Sardinia: towns, beaches and must-see attractions (charmingsardinia.com)

22 Best Places to Visit in Sicily – a guide by Untold Italy

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! Welcome back to the fourth entry of Il Passionato. Once again, today’s upload will focus on food! No, just kidding, that would be more sickening to you than a bowl of undercooked pasta. In reality, my focus is a religious feast that will certainly satiate you hunger to learn about Italian culture. Let’s take a trip to my family’s hometown of Castel di Lucio, Sicily. Yesterday, October 5^th, marked the feast day of the town’s patron saint, San Placido. Now I am sure to many of you, what I just wrote sounds like something from a foreign language, and let me assure you, it is totally Italian. Allow me to explain:

As you may be aware, many small Italian towns are predominantly catholic, and Castel di Lucio is no exception. What you may not be aware of, however, is that many these towns select a patron saint, who they honor. Please do not get patron confused with Patron Tequila; I assure you the two are very different. Rather, a patron saint is essentially a “representative” who connects the town members to God himself. For today’s blog, I will focus on Castel di Lucio. A faithful monk and martyr, San Placido reflects the religious values of the citizens of the town. For this reason, the community gathers to honor the saint not once, but twice a year. These celebrations are unlike anything you have seen before, so sit tight and imagine you are there!

To honor San Placido, the townspeople participate in a large procession—a religious parade. On August 20^th every year, the entire town, along with returning families living in other parts of Italy, follow a large float carrying a statue of San Placido. And if this wasn’t enough, they do it yet again on October 5^th for the saint’s feast day (a feast is the church’s version of a birthday). What amazes me the most, however, is that the entire community sacrifices something for the procession. Whether it be a strong man carrying the float, a musician playing in the band, or a woman baking dozens of cookies for the walkers, everyone contributes. I personally find it nice that you can do whatever floats your boat.

Ok, enough with the cheesy jokes; let’s get back to the blog. On the day of the procession, everyone attends a catholic mass, in which the statue is raised up by a few angels. Afterwards, families gather and prepare for the excitement of the evening. Later, the procession itself starts. The float is carried out of the church, and a group of sixteen men lug it around town on their shoulders. Accompanied by the music of the band, the carriers travel at slow walking speeds and swift near-running speeds. Yet the most exciting part is the dance, in which the float bearers align in the town square and run to mimic a dancing motion. You must give them props for this, as the float weighs over 2,000 pounds (and is uncomfortable to hold). Overall, this tradition is truly remarkable and symbolizes the spirit of the town. And as much as I would love to talk about it all day, I shall process no more. Ci vediamo presto!

If you are interested, here is a link to a video of parts of the August 2022 procession. There is a dance at 11:00!

Castel di Lucio (ME) – S. Placido 2022 – YouTube

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! I am sure you are feeling full after the last two food-focused blogs, so I am storing the leftover food for thought in the fridge. Today, we shift our focus to a topic that is penetrating headlines: civic life. I mean, we cannot have RCL without the CL, right? Like in America, Italy’s political sphere is facing some turmoil. Just this week, Italy’s parliamentary election concluded with the unofficial victory of the first-ever female prime minister. Why is this controversial? To put it simply, many distrust her identity as a “right-wing” politician. Funny enough, Italians seem to be unable to escape oil, whether it be turmoil or olive oil. But before we get into all of that, let’s talk about how modern civic life started in Italy.

Certainly, you have all heard about Benito Mussolini and his ruthless governing. However, you may be wondering what happened before and after him. Things must have been alright—we wouldn’t have Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Barilla pasta if the big boot simply kicked the bucket. It all started in 1848, when King Charles Albert of Sardegna-Piemonte drafted a constitution and formed a bicameral parliament (basically 19^th century copy and paste). This system deserves some credit, as it remained in place until 1922 when it was replaced by the Fascists (dun-dun-dun). The notorious party of Mussolini disregarded the constitution set by the late king, yet they formed a sense of nationalism and strengthened industry. Despite this, the conclusion of World War II prompted the Italians to form a new government. And by process of referendum, the Italian Republic was formed, and a new constitution was drafted. Once again, the Italians seemed to steal a few pages from America’s book, with freedoms such as speech and press (20^th century copy and paste). However, what is most remarkable about this whole affair is that social tensions did not become unbearable. I think this shows us the power of homemade wine.

Ok, so we have our parliament and America-esque government. Let’s fast forward to 2022. It will come as no surprise to you that Italy has adopted modern political perspectives on gender, economics, and so on. Yet with this new wave of ideologies, it seems as of much of Italy’s national pride has diminished. The values of faith and family that make Italians special fail to resonate with the young population. This is what new prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, plans to revive in Italians. And while this sounds like a positive goal, many associate the new leader with fascism. What concerns many is Meloni’s intent to further Christian values. Not surprisingly, Italy is significantly less religious than before, so her agenda lives at the heart of political debate. Yet at this point, it is difficult to tell just how beneficial or harmful Meloni’s governing will be, especially among the riffraff of news outlets. As my Nonna always says, “dove c’è vita, c’è speranza.” Certainly, it is a new era in Italian politics, and there is much to look forward to. In bocca al lupo, Italia.

Resources:

Italy – Government and society | Britannica

U.S. media erupts over Italy’s first female prime minister with Mussolini comparisons: ‘Return of fascism’ | Fox News

Ciao a tutti! Welcome back to my blog on everything Italian. Today, we splurge yet again into Italian food. But this time, we will investigate a few dishes on the menu. You may be wondering why I am spending two blogs discussing food while various other topics can be explored. I’ll put it to you this way: food is a significant part of Italian culture, and it is as diverse as the student body of Penn State. If I did not cause you to salivate at least once in a blog about Italy, I would be referred to as an im-pasta. Speaking of which, let’s fork into one of my favorite pasta dishes: pasta carbonara.

I mean, just reading that name makes you feel more Italian. If you are an Olive Garden enthusiast, you may be wondering where the Fettuccini Alfredo is (c’mon, you really thought I would do you a disservice like that?). On this blog, we discuss real pasta. Now back to carbonara. For the pasta, this dish is traditionally served with long pasta, like spaghetti, linguine, or tonnarelli. As an Italian, however, one must dress the pasta with some sauce, otherwise sacrilege! Carbonara “sauce” is relatively simple, as it consists of guanciale (Italian bacon), egg yolks, salt, and pepper. One cuts and sautés the guanciale while boiling the pasta. It is essential that your spaghetti is al dente, a term describing a soft, slightly wet consistency that is ideal for serving. When those ingredients finish cooking, the final step entails beating the egg yolks, adding the salt and pepper, and pouring the mixture over the hot pasta and guanciale. Finally, garnish the meal with some grated cheese, and you have a masterpiece.

Pasta carbonara is a nationally adored staple of Italian cuisine. But if we were going to be basic, you would be reading this post fusilli reasons. Let’s instead grill up two quirky dishes: stufato di trippa and stigghiola. Stufato di trippa translates to tripe stew in English. Tripe may also sound like another language to you, as it is not commonly consumed in America. This eccentric cut of meat is part of a cow’s second stomach! If that doesn’t gross you out, its fecal matter-laced aroma certainly will. Despite its nasty description, however, tripe makes a killer stew. In rural towns, farmers sell the meat fresh, and Nonna’s to-die-for tomato broth combines with passion to form a culinary masterpiece. Who wouldn’t want that! Personally, I had my worries about this one. But let me tell you, do not let the tripe fool you—it is not nearly as disgusting as it sounds.

And to further the topic of odd Italian foods, prepare to stomach the stigghiola, one of my favorite Sicilian street foods. This is like nothing you will ever see: the stigghiola consists of chopped onions and parsley, wrapped in lamb intestines. Yup, you read it right. You are probably shocked right now, but trust me, eating intestines is normal. As a matter of fact, natural sausage casing is made from pork intestines. If you are still grossed out, think about eating hot dogs (which is something you may have done without cringing at all). Now you can realize that eating a stigghiola isn’t that bad. I’m running out of time, so I’ll leave you with this: Italian food, although partially familiarized to Americans, is truly diverse and holds more secrets than meets the eye.

Resources:

Gaia Masiero Contributor February 15, et al. “Classic Carbonara Recipe.” La Cucina Italiana, 15 Feb. 2022, https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/italian-food/how-to-cook/how-to-make-original-carbonara?refresh_ce=.

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! I hope you are ready to give the boot to boredom, because today kicks off the start of my Italian passion blog. Over the next few uploads, we will learn about some interesting quirks of Italian culture, society, food, and much more! Today, we will get a little flavor by discussing food. Now, I am sure many of you have eaten at Olive Garden, Carrabba’s, and your small-town pizza joint before, but we are going to put that experience on the chopping block! Why? I will tell you this: Olive Garden is to Italian cuisine as Rutgers is to skillful football. But before we dive into a pool of Italian dishes, let’s talk meal structure.

You may be thinking, “Well, this can’t be too complicated, between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Wrong. The proper Italian meal is by no means simple, and I too thought the same way until only a few years ago. To start, I will list the basic phases, respectively: l’aperitivo, l’antipasto, il primo, il secondo, il contorno, il dolce, caffè, e digestivo. If I thoroughly dissected all of these, I would be biting off more than I could chew in a blog post. Let’s instead boil this down: l’aperitivo and il digestivo involve consuming liquors, l’antipasto is the appetizer round, il primo, secondo, and contorno are the main courses (go figure), and caffè and dolce are dessert. Some of you may be confused as to why Italians consume alcohol before and after meals. In essence, it is traditionally believed that the alcohol prepares the stomach to digest, but speaking from experience, l’aperitivo and il digestivo are not as widespread as the rest of the steps. Consider this like another form of “pre-gaming,” if that is your thing.

Hopefully you will find l’antipasto more appetizing. This part of the Italian meal more closely mirrors an American appetizer, as you consume charcuterie elements, bread, and vegetables. On the other hand, the main course is a whole different animal­ (or rather three). First, Il primo usually consists of a pasta, stew, or rice dish. Shortly–too shortly–after, il secondo is dished out and normally contains a meat or fish, along with il contorno, a salad or vegetable side. As an American, managing the three courses is a task that can be like building a billion dollars in wealth. For comparison, imagine entering a high-quality version of the commons’ dining halls and filling three plates and a bowl on your tray. At this point in the meal, you probably endure intense nausea and bloating, but you must not forget the most important part: dessert! On most occasions, il caffè and il dolce are merged into a grand finale. And despite your fullness, you persevere to finish a miniscule ten cookies and two cups of potent espresso.

If you were to ask me how Italians could eat so much twice a day (breakfast is not a huge meal), I could not tell you. The fact of the matter is this: In Italy, you do not consume the food; rather, the food consumes you. If you would like to learn more about specific dishes, stay tuned for the next blog post. Ci sentiamo presto!

Resource:

“The Classic Italian Meal Structure.” Learn Italian Online Free, http://www.speakitalian.org/the-classic-italian-meal-structure.html.