| If you've rented a villa or apartment in Italy, no | | | | - Aceto (vinegar: balsamic or wine) |
| doubt you'll be trying to sample all the foods of Italy | | | | - Aglio (garlic) |
| you can-- dining out and eating in. Here's a quick and | | | | - Basilico (basil) |
| easy guide for getting food in Italy, whether you're | | | | - Olio di Uliva (olive oil) |
| ordering your first Italian meal at that sumptuous | | | | - Limoni (lemons) |
| restaurant down the street or buying produce at the | | | | - Pomodori (tomatoes) |
| local market to create your own authentic Italian | | | | - Capperi (capers) |
| food. Shopping for Italian Food | | | | - Porcini (mushrooms) |
| One of the great delights of renting an Italian villa or | | | | - Other vegetables: potatoes, onions, carrots, green |
| apartment is shopping for produce at an outdoor | | | | beans, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, and everything |
| market. Virtually all towns in Italy have an outdoor | | | | else! |
| market, usually once a week (ask around to find out | | | | - Tonno (canned tuna) |
| which day). But regardless of whether you're at a | | | | - Uova (eggs) |
| market, a small grocery, or a supermarket, there is | | | | - Frutta (fruit) |
| just one rule to remember when shopping for food in | | | | - Pollo (chicken) |
| Italy: DO NOT TOUCH THE PRODUCE. We're quite | | | | - Vino (wine)Italian Cooking - Recipes |
| used to handling our apples and oranges in the US, | | | | What could be better than cooking in Italy with all |
| but in Italy it is considered very rude! In an outdoor | | | | those delicious fresh ingredients? Here are a few |
| market, you should indicate which fruits or | | | | simple Italian food recipes you can make at your |
| vegetables you need, and the seller will pick out the | | | | rental. If these tried-and-true favorites get old, eat |
| best specimens for you. Don't try to indicate that | | | | out and then experiment to see if you can duplicate |
| you don't, for example, want that slightly green | | | | the recipe.1. Tortellini in Brodo con Petti di Pollo: Make |
| lemon-- picking out produce is a point of honor for | | | | a broth using bullion and add tortellini, chopped |
| sellers, and rejecting his/her choice is an insult! | | | | chicken, and veggies. Serve with local parmigiano |
| Another thing to note about open markets in Italy is | | | | cheese, mixed salad, and local bread. |
| that there is no bargaining. In Italy, a price is a price.In | | | | 2. Pasta al Pomodor: Otherwise known as spaghetti, |
| a small grocery, you still can't touch the produce (no | | | | this is delicious with fresh Italian ingredients! Buy fresh |
| matter how much you want to)! Instead, wait until | | | | pasta at the market, heat sauce (or make your |
| an employee comes to help you. Indicate you choices | | | | own), mix in garlic and basil, and add: a can of drained |
| and the employee will pick the produce and put it in a | | | | tuna, olives, or artichoke hearts. Serve with |
| bag. If you really need control over your produce | | | | parmesan, insalata mista (mixed salad), and bread. |
| selection, try a large supermarket: here you will be | | | | 3. Minestrone: Saute onions and garlic in oil. Add |
| provided with plastic gloves so that you can pick | | | | broth, bring to a boil, and add vegetables (carrots, |
| your own fruits and vegetables! Weigh each bag and | | | | zucchini, peppers, etc.). Just before the vegetables |
| punch a button for that particular item, whereupon a | | | | are cooked, add pasta and spinach. Season with your |
| machine will dispense a sticker that you should put on | | | | herbs of choice. Italian Dining Customs |
| the bag before taking it to the checkout line. Another | | | | When you go dining in Italy, remember this: Italy is a |
| great place to pick up some traditional Italian food is | | | | food culture! If you're looking for fine Italian foods, |
| a deli. There are no special rules here (although you | | | | it's not going to be fast. Meals are a social event to |
| might have to "take a number" or wait in line). Pick up | | | | be enjoyed, one delicious course at a time. Let's |
| delicious marinated meats, prepared olives, artichoke | | | | begin with the courses, in order:1. Primi - A pasta |
| salads, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, and | | | | dish2. Secondo - The main course: meat or fish. This |
| everything else you might find at a full-service | | | | course may also include the contorno, or side dishes, |
| American deli-- only better!Here's a list of some | | | | which are usually vegetables.3. Fromaggio - Cheeses4. |
| delicious common foods in Italy:- Pane (bread: get it | | | | Frutta - Fruit5. Dolce - A sweet6. |
| fresh in the morning!) | | | | |