Italian food customs and traditions

1. Italian Food Customs and
Traditions

2. MEAL TIMING
• Lunch is served at 1.00 PM and
dinner at 8.00 PM.
• In northern Italy it can be a little
earlier and a little later towards
the south
• In summer time, in the southern
part of Italy dinner can be very
late, like 9 - 9.30 PM.

3. ITALIAN FOOD MENU
• A complete menu is composed
of an “antipasto, primo,
secondo, contorno, dolce,
frutta e formaggi”.
• On a ordinary day nobody is
capable of such a feat.
Workdays meals are composed
of two courses, usually a
“primo” (pasta or rice) and/or
a “secondo” (meat or fish) and
a “contorno” (side dish).
• Every dish is served in a
different plate, mixing is
strongly discouraged.
• Salad is considered a side dish,
not a starter.

4. DRINKS
• Acceptable drinks
during a meal are
wine, mineral water,
beer and, only for kids,
sodas.
• Most Italians drink
WINE. Wine is very
important part of the
Italian gastronomic
culture and Italy is
home to some of the
world's most famous
vineyards

5. Italian cuisine
• Italian cuisine has a great variety of
different ingredients which are commonly
used, ranging from fruits, vegetables,
sauces, meats, etc.
• Italian cuisine is well known (and well
regarded) for its use of a diverse variety of
pasta. Pasta include noodles in various
lengths, widths, and shapes. Most pastas
may be distinguished by the shapes for
which they are named like pennette,
spaghetti, fusilli, farfalle, bucatini,
lasagne,etc., and many more varieties that
are filled with other ingredients like ravioli
and tortellini.

6. ITALIAN CUISINE
• Each area has its own specialties,
primarily at a regional level, but also
at provincial level. The differences
can come from a bordering country
(such as France or Austria), whether
a region is close to the sea or the
mountains, and economics.
• Italian cuisine is seasonal, based on
the use of fresh products.

7. GUEST ETIQUETTE
• When eating at
someone’s home,
guests are expected to
eat everything on their
plate.
• When invited for
Sunday lunch, it’s good
etiquette for guests to
bring a dessert or a
bottle of wine.

8. EATING IS A
CULTURAL
EXPRESSION
• For the Italians food is not
considered mere nutrition, it is
above all else pleasure. Good
company at the table fosters
conversation and is the place where
friendships are born.
• At Sunday lunch Italian families take
time out of their busy lives to gather
around the table to enjoy good food,
good wine and good company.

9. And remember, in Italy
you
• NEVER ask for cheese on
fish dishes
• NEVER ask for pineapples,
mayonnaise or ketchup on
your pizza

10. Images: Pixabay, licenza CC0 (Public Domain)