History Of Italian Food
When most people think of Italian food, they think of things like pizza, pasta, and tomatoes. What most people do not think of is the diverse history of Italian food and the traditions that go along with it.
Dating far back to the days of Roman control, the history of Italian food truly begins. Ancient Romans were well known for their extravagant feasts and for their wine. Exploration was beginning and the Romans would send ships to far off lands, like China, and bring back a variety of spices and foods. When the Roman Empire fell, their way of cooking virtually disappeared. It was not until the medieval times that Italian food, similar to the food of today, developed.
Since much of Italy was divided in medieval times, many distinct flavors and cooking styles emerged from different areas of the country. The different regions began to develop their own ways of preparing food, and many new customs began to appear. Much of this new way of life was centered around foods that were readily available to the people of a particular area, as it was very difficult to leave one's region.
The history of Italian food really takes shape once the different regions of Italy began to thrive. Northern Italy became a large center for trade, which brought in spices, butter, eggs, cream, and grains. Wealthy citizens usually purchased these ingredients, as they were expensive. A combination of grains, butter, eggs, and cream led to the development of pastas. Over time, pasta began to spread throughout the rest of Italy and to surrounding countries, however northern Italy is still credited as being the home of some of the best pasta recipes in existence.
The renaissance period plays a major role in the history of Italian food. During this time, food and the arts really took off. Wealthy citizens began to experiment with ingredients and designed elaborate dishes that they presented on fancy tablescapes. This period is credited with the birth of Italian cuisine.
However, while northern Italy was enjoying a prosperous time, southern Italy was not. This part of Italy was poverty stricken and this is where many "traditional" Italian dishes originated. The citizens of this area had no means to purchase expensive ingredients and were forced to use only what they had available. Pizza was developed here and was often sold by vendors on the streets. Southern Italians also created the process of drying pasta so that it would keep longer and could be traveled with easily.
Today the history of Italian food can still be felt in many of the dishes we all enjoy. The importance of using only the freshest ingredients is still key to preparing great Italian food. Taking time and care in the cooking process, as well as the tradition of sharing the feast with loved ones is a tradition that will continue to live on for ages.
