Italian Food that isn’t actually from Italy
Pizza, pasta and pesto – Italian heritage all the way! Well, stop right there and think again. Italian cuisine is unquestionably one of the most popular ones in the world. However, as local food becomes popular in other regions, it is often refined with local taste. Exactly that happened with Italian food.
What if I tell you that your last�seemingly traditional Italian food wasn’t even from Italy? How about that? It doesn’t mean those are not tasty dishes (they still can be), but not in Italy. Here is some popular Italian food that isn’t even from Italy.
Spaghetti Bolognese
Famed around the world, this combination you would not find in Italy and definitely not in Bologna. Ask any of Italian ladies about it and they will throw meatballs at you. The sauce itself is real though – it’s called�rag羅 alla bolognese. It is made with minced meat and tomato sauce, however, no one would eat it with spaghetti.
Spaghetti might be the most common form of pasta, but that doesn’t mean you can mix everything with it. There are also�tagliatelle, pappardelle or cappelletti.�However, not all is hopeless. Singaporeans love to enjoy both traditional Italian food as well as fusion.
Neapolitan Sauce
This is another shocker. Try going to Napoli – you probably will get in trouble with the ‘Cosa Nostra’ (although from Sicily). Let’s get the sauce straight. Every family in Italy has its very own recipe. These sauces might include onions, garlic, herbs or not. In the end of the day they are all called Salsa or Sugo – no matter whether you dine in Milan or Napoli.
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Pesto on Everything
Pesto is Italian, don’t worry. However, the international usage of the sauce is quite different than the traditional Italian way. Pesto is normally only used to accompany pasta – Trenette to be precise. Contrary to traditional Italian food, one can find pesto on sandwiches (I’m guilty), as a dip and many other dishes. Personally I believe that this is fine. After all, Italian fusion is increasingly conquering the Singaporean taste.
Pasta Carbonara
It might break your heart, but Carbonara isn’t originally from Italy either. However, like other examples on the list, the dish has been widely accepted as traditional Italian food around the world. The real Carbonara is made with guanciale – most commonly you will find bacon, mixed with yoghurt, there will be onions, parsley and plenty of other ingredients.
Pasta with Chicken
This one is simply not happening. Pasta is considered a proper and traditional meal in Italy – and it is definitely not reduced to a side dish. Asking a real Italian Mama you will probably earn yourself a pair of �angry eyes. Remember that chicken will not be a proper condiment (in Italy).
No need to feel desperate. Even if you dip your entire sandwich in pesto and add chicken to your pasta – that is totally fine. Italian food, like other cuisines as well, will always develop further as they travel around the world. Enjoy.
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