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