A taste of Italy

Basic Facts

  Italian food is very simple and easy to make.  It usually only includes about four to eight ingredients.  Italians often cook the food based on the quality of the ingredients.  Most recipes from Italy have been passed down through families. 

  The passing down of the food is a tradition in the Italian culture. The different dishes vary in different regions.  There are many ways to make Italian food.  The most basic Italian food is long noodles with regular tomato sauce, formally known as spaghetti.  Cheese and wine is usually served with the dish.

The Italian AmericanTradition

            Many Italian-American's take pride in their Italian traditions.  The most important Italian tradition is the cooking of Italian food.  Also, most males in the Italian tradition are the cooks of the family.  In American culture, many people stereotype women as being the cooks in the family, but in Italy, the men are the chefs.  Italian-American Ray Rotella explains his traditions on American cooking.

  "I love cooking for my family," said Rotella.  "We all eat together as a family and share the food with one another.  It brings the family together and keeps our Italian traditions alive."

  Rotella cooks his own sauce for pasta.  He is also able to cook lasgna and any type of pasta.  He learned  cooking from watching his mother cook growing up.  When asked how Rotella learned to cook, he explained the different ways by which he learned.

  "I watched my mom, Roger [an Italian who grew up with the family], and I lived alone for over 10 years, so I learned by trial and error."

  Another Italian tradition is called Feast of the Seven fishes.  This is served on Chirstmas Eve.  The seven fishes represent the seven Sacraments. 

  "On Christmas Eve, we have about 20 people from the Rotella family come over and I make the seven different fish for the feast," said Rotella.  "It is a tradition we have done for many years."

  Some traditions have 13 different types of fish for the 12 appostles and Jesus Christ.  The tradition is very religious.

  Many American-Italians take great pride in the Italian traditions.  Families are very important to the Italians, and making food and preparing food is what brings the Italians closer together.

  Some of America's favorite dishes come from Italy such as spaghetti and pizza.  The Italian-Americans bring these different kinds of foods to America to carry on the Italian-American traditions. 

Spaghetti Directions

1. Brown beef over medium heat.  Drain off fat.
2. In large pot combine beef, salt, sugar, pregano, pepper, garlic powder, onion flakes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.  Simmer at a low heat setting for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Serve sauce over spaghetti.

**Note that regular spaghetti does not have to be made exactly as these directions.  These directions are just a guideline.  Most italians each serve their pasta as their own. individual way.

Easy Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce Ingredients

• 12 ounces of spaghetti
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic pepper
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
• 2 1/2 cups shopped tomato
• 6 ounces cans of tomato paste

The History

  Italian food originated from the country Italy, of course, but there are many different ways Italian food is made.  It mainly consists of pasta with some sort of noodles and a sauce is poured overtop of the pasta.  Sometimes there are certain foods that can be mixed with the pasta. 

  Different types of pasta include spaghetti, fettucini Alfredo, linguini, rigatoni, pizza, and more. 

  Italian food is more known for its pastas and noodles than any other type of food such as pizza or even Italian sausage. 

  Italian food has developed through centuries of political and social climates, dating all the way back to the 4th century of BCE.  It was heavily influenced by Etruscan, Ancrient Greek, Ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish, and Arab Cusines.