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