The History of Italian Cuisine Essay Example

Italian cuisine has evolved over the centuries and has influenced cultures around the world. Italian food is now the world’s most popular cuisine, and its most well-known dishes are different types of pastas and pizzas. Although the country of Italy was not officially formed until the 19th century, Italian cuisine dates all the way back to 4th century BC. The Romans of the early ages did not have an appreciation for high quality ingredients and the majority of their cuisine was on the more basic side. The earlier stages of the modern era of Italian cuisine were affected by the courts of Florence, Rome, Venice, and Ferrara which all held crucial parts in contributing to the creation of fine cooking in Italy that we all know and love today. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, large waves of Italians migrated to the United States with a large number settling in New York. The newly Italian-Americans, especially those from Campania and Sicily, influenced the food industry and culture that would have a lasting impact that still stands today. In the following paragraph’s, we will look into the evolution of ingredients and food in Italy over the years, as well as its influence on the widely popular Italian food in America. 

During the years of the Roman Empire, Italian cuisine resembled similar ingredients to what is now known as the Mediterranean diet. Wine, olive oil, bread, vegetables, legumes, and cheeses were all very popular during this time period. Other dishes consumed consisted of barley or wheat cooked into a type of porridge along with wild greens, vegetables, fruit, and occasionally honey (Toscana). The borders of the Roman empire allowed for spices like cumin, sesame, coriander, oregano, olive oil and saffron to be acquired. The Romans were also considered to be the masters of preservation techniques in a time where there was no such thing as refrigeration. Meats and fish would be smoked, dried, or kept on ice; brine and salt would be used to preserve items like pork meat and pickles as well. As time went on, the northern regions of Italy started to resemble a combination of German and Roman culture while the southern regions reflected more of an Arab culture as they controlled the majority of the Mediterranean trade. After the fall of the Roman empire, the region we now know as Italy was conquered by many different groups from the Byzantines to the Arabs. These different groups of people left a mark on Italian cuisine that we still see today. For example, during the Middle Ages, Sicily was occupied by Arab Muslims and as a result many different spices and fruits were introduced into the peninsula. Religion also played a large role in Italian cuisine during this time. In Christian faith, many dietary restrictions were placed, and as a result meat was eaten infrequently and the popularity of fish, bread, cheese, eggs, legumes, and fruit rose rapidly. Cuisine was reborn during the Renaissance time period, as there was an increase in communication and trade among neighboring countries in Europe, as well as the introduction of new ingredients from the new world, the Americas. With heavily populated urban centers as the main sites of trade, Italy shifted away from isolated agricultural traditions. Food started to become a source of enjoyment and cultural exchange. During this time period, different spices and ingredients began to pass through Italy’s ports, and the kitchens of the upper class were staffed with professional cooking staff. It was at this point that the tomato was introduced to Italy by the Spanish, who controlled Naples at the time. The tomatoes came from Peru, and it did not take long for them to become a staple in Italian cuisine that still stands today. Other foods that came from the new world or the Americas included zucchini, peppers, squash, beans, corn, and chocolate; these ingredients are still very popular and relevant today (Toscana). The next time period of massive change to Italian cuisine and ingredients is the unification of Italy in the mid-19th century. Italian cuisine took a great diversification in this age as each region of Italy had their own proud specialties. For example, spaghetti and pizza come from the central region of Italy, while the North region of Italy was known for fish, potatoes, rice, sausages, pork, and different kinds of cheese. The South of Italy’s dishes were prepared mainly using tomatoes, either served fresh or cooked into sauces that included these ingredients: capers, peppers, olives/olive oil, garlic, artichokes, eggplant, and lastly ricotta cheese. Italian cuisine has evolved so much over the years, and the different regions of Italy have continued to take pride in maintaining their own food culture.

When the wave of Italians immigrated from their regions in Italy to the United States in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, they brought their cuisine culture with them. One of the most notable ways Italian foods changed in the United States was the incorporation of larger quantities of meat. Italian immigrants earned higher wages in America compared to Italy, which allowed them to purchase more meat. This is why meatballs are so much bigger in the United States than in Italy. Along with the incorporation of more meat, Italian Americans also made greater use of sauce. The deep red pasta dishes that are across America are very rare in Italy, where the use of noodles play a bigger role. When using sauce, Italians choose other sauces over the classic red sauce. Although Italian Americans brought over a lot of their meals and food culture, they did leave some behind as well. For example, Oxtail which is common at restaurants in Italy, is never really seen in America (Abbott). When comparing the difference in how meals are consumed between the two cultures, it is very obvious that dinners in the United States are much faster as the majority of the food is served at one time. The popularity of pizza has become so widespread in the United States that many Americans claim it for themselves. Along with that, the Italian Americans were able to buy more milk in America than they were in Italy, which resulted in the introduction of mozzarella, parmesan, and other premium cheeses on a grand scale. This is why those cheeses are now very popular in the United States. Southern Italian immigrants also helped make seafood more popular in the United States, as Sicilians loved clams and found new ways to prepare them when they reached the shores of America. “During the 70s and 80s, many Italian-inspired regional dishes became popular in America – Eggplant Parmigiana, Fettuccini Alfredo, Penne alla Vodka, Shrimp Scampi, Fried Calamari, and more” (Mancuso). Something I found very interesting is how chicken parmigiana, and penne alla vodka are 2 of the most popular Italian dishes in the United States, however, they are not on any menus of restaurants in Rome. Italian Americans have been known to experiment more with their Italian dishes leading to some interesting foods that have become quite popular. Today, pizza is a staple of American food as more than 3 billion pizzas are consumed each year, accounting for a staggering $38 billion spent annually on pizza (Links). States like New York, Connecticut, and Chicago are all well known for their different styles of pizza, and even attract crowds of pizza each year who just want some good pizza. 

Overall, being from New York and growing up around Italian food for most of my life, I have found it so interesting when comparing popular foods to their roots in Italy. Two of my absolute favorite dishes, chicken parmigiana, and penne alla vodka, are not even popular in Italy. Although popular Italian food started in Italy, the dishes and styles of the food are their own different pieces of art. The history of Italian cuisine is filled with a rich history that dates all the way back to the 4th century BC and has been filled with so many different groups of people and cultures over the years. This is why Italian food is the most popular food in the world. When looking at the popularity of Italian cuisine, one can’t help but notice that a lot of the dishes contain simple ingredients and recipes that don’t go over the top. This is a big reason why the dishes are so loved and enjoyed as they aren’t impossible to make and taste so good. When looking at all the different time periods that took place in Italy over the years it is astonishing to see all of the different impacts they made. I personally love how far Italian cuisine has come from the years of the Roman empire where the food was more basic and simpler. In recent years, the United States has started to have an influence on Italian cuisine as fast-food chains, like McDonalds, Burger King, and many more have been popping up everywhere. It will be interesting to see if the United States will continue to influence Italy through social media, films, television shows, fast food and more in the years to come.