Italian cuisine is the most popular in the world.
Perhaps every inhabitant of the globe knows at least one Italian dish.
The basis of the cuisine was formed due to the cultural influence of the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Lombards and other peoples who lived in the country. Fish, seafood, beef, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, olives, olive oil, pasta, rice, legumes, porcini mushrooms, a variety of cheeses and spices, as well as fruit and wine are the pillars of traditional Italian cuisine.
Pizza and pasta are the favorites of almost all tourists who are lucky enough to be on the Apennine Peninsula, as well as in Sardinia and Sicily. However, Italy is also rich in other delicacies, and the inhabitants of each region have their own culinary traditions. In total, there are 20 regions in the country (from north to south)
So, for Piedmont, the birthplace of the famous panna cotta dessert, some traditions of France and Switzerland are characteristic. In neighboring Lombardy, where mascarpone, gorgonzola and grana padano first appeared, they cook freshwater fish, risotto, polenta, and stew meat in wine. The region of Trentino-Alto Adige has been influenced by the culinary traditions of Austria. Emilia Romagna gave the world parmesan, mortadella, Parma ham, balsamic vinegar and many types of pasta. Ligurgia is characterized by various spices, fish and seafood dishes; the popular pesto comes from this area. In Tuscany, meat is more popular than fish – beef, veal, lamb. The cuisine of Molise and Abruzzo are similar, the inhabitants of these areas often cook lamb, smoked meat products. Campania, or rather its capital, Naples, is the birthplace of pizza and sun-dried tomatoes, but in neighboring Puglia, closed calzone pizza, mussels and oysters are popular. In Calabria, they prepare specific dishes from swordfish and tuna, from lamb and goat meat, as well as various desserts from figs, almonds and honey.
The islands of Sardinia and Sicily stand apart in Italian cuisine. Sardinia is characterized by gourmet seafood and fish, and for the holidays they traditionally cook a suckling pig on a spit. The cuisine of Sicily has an imprint of Arabic, Greek and Spanish culture. Spices, fruits, vegetables, fish and, of course, pasta are very popular here.
I must say that the culinary traditions of different regions of Italy are very different. Each region has its own types of pastas, meats, cheeses and wines, just as each region has its own recipes for salads, soups, casseroles, breads, pastries and desserts.
They are all delicious!