Delicious Facts About Italian Foods – 14 Dishes You Must Eat

Last Updated on March 18, 2021 by Tia

In this delicious facts about Italian foods article, you will find 14 mouthwatering dishes you simply must eat in Italy and the history behind them.

After all, Italian cuisine apart from being delicious carries a long and celebrated history! So on your next trip to Italy, make sure you devour these dishes! And savor the real taste of Italy with every delicious bite.

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Delicious Facts About Italian Foods – Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? And what better place to eat it, than its birthplace; Italy.

History: The first Italian pizza restaurant, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, began baking pizzas in 1738 in Naples, Italy.

The modern pizza was born in 1889, when pizzamaker Raffaele Esposito created the “Pizza Margherita” in honor of the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy.

Of course, pizza in Italy is entirely different than what we are eating in our hometowns. In Italy, you will find authentic pizza, as thin as a piece of paper!

The original Mozzarella is as authentic as you will find, and it’s so thin it cooks in less than 10 minutes! Utterly delicious crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with olive oil, garlic, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

And not a dollop of ketchup in sight!

Tia’s Tip: Never ask for ketchup in Italy. No Italian in their right mind will serve you that, and you will be insulting them if you ask! If you do find ketchup, I suggest you walk out! That place will be a place for tourists, and tourists alone 🙂

Pasta

History: Noodles existed in China and Asia long before pasta appeared in the Mediterranean world! The legend says that Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy from China in 1271 and specifically, to Venice.

The name ”pasta” was invented from the pasty texture of the dough when it is first mixed 🙂

An iconic traditional Italian dish that deserves its fame. The type of pasta you will eat will vary significantly according to the location and region.

Each region has a local specialty, and each as delicious as the next! In Rome, the Pasta a la Carbonara is incredible. No mushrooms, cream or bacon (as we eat in our home cities) will be found here!

Simply eggs, Pecorino cheese, guanciale (a type of Italian cured meat made from pork cheeks) and black pepper. My favorite spot for Carbonara in Rome is Angelina a Testaccio – a restaurant I go back to time and time again!

Delicious Facts About Italian Foods -Gnocchi

History: The humble potato Gnocchi originates in Northern Italy, where the colder climate was better for growing potatoes than grain.

This dish dates back to the 17th century after Spanish explorers brought potatoes from South America and introduced them to Italian kitchens.

Gnocchi is a dumpling dish, that is made out of potatoes and flour. In Italy, you will find Gnocchi served as a portion of pasta, with sauce and fresh parmesan on top.

Every region in Italy, especially in the north, has its own gnocchi variation! Really, really yummy and a great dish for kids who like potatoes!

Delicious Facts About Italian Foods – Risotto

History: The story of risotto began thousands of years ago, specifically in the 14th century B.C., when the Arabs brought rice to Sicily and Spain during their rule.

Italy became the ideal place to grow short-grain rice due to its humid weather and flat land. Soon after, rice became the main part of Italian food culture. Now, Italy is the largest rice-producing country in Europe!

Another Italian classic, that also originates from Northern Italy specifically from Milan. Risotto is made of rice, wine, broth, butter, and parmesan cheese, and is topped with either seafood, mushrooms or pumpkin. Delicious!

Pannetone

History: Pannetone has two history legends behind it! Both equally fascinating and deserving a spot in the facts about Italian foods. Both legends include a baker named Toni and you can read both here

Panettone is an Italian type of sweet bread originally from Milan. It is a Christmas and New Year favorite but you can find it in Italy throughout the entire year. This dome-shaped cake that has been leavened with yeast, has a light and airy texture, with a rich and buttery taste, and is not very sweet.

As a filling, anything goes. Traditionally, its filled with dried raisins, candied orange, and lemon peel, although there are dozens of other variations!

Panettone also keeps and transfers very well – so makes the perfect present to take back home! After all, its popularity is growing! Nowadays,10% of panettone is exported to France, Germany, the United States, Canada, Britain, and Spain.

Delicious Facts About Italian Foods -Arancini and Suppli

History: Arancini originated in Sicily when the Arabs ruled during the 10th century.  The first documented form of arancini dates back to the 19th century.

They were sweet instead of savory (with spices, sugar and ricotta cheese). The ”New World” brought new exciting ingredients to Italy, like tomatoes!

Soon after, arancini took its current savory taste with ragu and tomatoes.

Crisp and golden brown stuffed rice balls or as I like to call them, little balls of heaven! The Arancini are small balls of rice, coated in breadcrumbs and fried at the end.

Again, arancini fillings vary from region to region! Some examples include the arancini con ragù (containing tomato sauce, rice, and mozzarella), arancini con burro (made with creamy béchamel sauce), arancini con fungi (mushrooms) and arancini con melanzane. (eggplant).

These rice balls, appear in bars, restaurants, and market stalls all over Italy! Supplì is a Roman specialty you can find in pizzerias and as antipasti.

They are oblong in shape, and contain only rice, tomato sauce, and a large piece of mozzarella in the middle. One of my favorite things to eat in Italy, for sure!

Lasagne

History: Shock and horror, Lasagne was NOT invented in Italy! That’s right! Technically, Italy is not the birthplace of this dish, as it is traced back to Ancient Greece! The name Lasagna comes from the Greek word ‘Laganon’; the first known form of pasta.

What’s even more fascinating though, is that the name traces back to Ancient Greece, the first recipe to Britain, and generations of perfecting the dish to Italy!

Everyone has eaten lasagne from time to time but the original method comes from Naples. Lasagne is made by baking sheets of lasagne pasta.

You then layer the pasta layered with cheese, ground meat, and vegetables. Lastly, you top with different varieties of sauces, such as the ragù, bechamel or tomato sauce.

Hearty, creamy, and utterly delicious.

Delicious Facts About Italian Foods – Ossobuco (Veal)

History: The Italian dish originated from the city of Milan in the late 19^th century. As with arancini, the dish evolved with time, specifically when the ”New World” ingredients came to Italy.

The older version, ossobuco in bianco, is flavored with cinnamon, bay leaf, and gremolata. Tomatoes and carrots like the one today did not exist back then!

Ossobuco is made with slowly braised veal. The dish is cooked in white wine, seasonal vegetables and ”gremolata”, a garlic and lemon sauce.

Eat with crusty Italian bread, to soak up all the delicious marrow of the veal. Drool!

Proschutto and Aperitivo

History: The history of this cured ham that is also one of the best-known Italian foods stretches back to pre-Roman times.

It was in 100 BC that Cato the “Censor” first mentioned the extraordinary flavor of the air-cured ham made around the town of Parma in Italy! The hams legs were left to dry, greased with a little oil and could age without spoiling.

You cannot visit Italy and miss this local favorite! Prosciutto is dry-cured ham, served uncooked (Crudo) or cooked (Cotto) and cut in thin slices.

Prosciutto Crudo is light, savory and airy, and is a staple in every Italian table. Served in sandwiches, on top of pizza or pasta, or wrapped around slices of cheese or melon. But more importantly, it also serves as part of Aperitivo.

Aperitivo in Italy is a religion; a kind of ”pre-dinner” affair with drinks and food ranging from a plate of snacks to a full-on buffet. Cured meats, fresh mozzarella, olives or cold pasta dishes. A piece of authentic Italian culture, and an experience you cannot miss.

Tia’s Tip: Aperitivo is NOT dinner. Eat a small amount of food only, or you will get stared at- it’s considered rude! When you come across an aperitivo buffet, remember the general rule for good etiquette. One drink equals one plate of food.

Delicious Facts About Italian Foods -Buffalo Mozzarella

History: The origin and history is again, long but fascinating and you can read it here in full detail

Oooohhh I’m drooling as I write this! Buffalo Mozzarella is not like regular mozzarella, and the authentic one in Italy is out of this world!

Buffalo Mozzarella is made from the milk of the water buffalo. It is creamier, softer, and far more flavorful than the cow-milk stuff.

You can eat it on its own, on top of Bruchetta, salad, pizza and everything in between. Try it, trust me!

Italian Gelato

History: Ice-cream was first developed in China, and not in Italy! But that version had no milk or cream in it (basically Sorbet). And in fact, many countries used the same practice for their own sorbet for hundreds of years.

When milk and cream were introduced in the 18th century, the Neapolitans in Italy created the first gelato!

You can’t possibly visit Italy without a scoop (possibly 10, who are we kidding!), of smooth, creamy gelato. The differences between Italian gelato and ice cream make its flavor and texture so different!  

Gelato is made with milk, whereas ice cream is made with cream. The milk in the gelato gives it a much softer, smoother texture and intense flavor! Pistachio is an Italian favorite, which I personally don’t like so I stick to everything else.

I’ve visited Italy 6 times now, so it’s safe to say I’ve had every flavor under the sun! This article is great if you want to know where to find the best gelato in Italy.

Delicious Facts About Italian Foods – Torrone

History: The first appearance of Torrone was in Cremona in 1441. It’s said to be created as a dessert for the marriage of Francesco Sforza and Maria Bianca Visconti by the court’s pastry chefs.

Torrone took its name from its inspiration, the city’s famous Torrazzo tower!

Torrone looks like a creamy, sticky cereal bar, but its made with honey, egg whites, toasted nuts, and citrus zest.

You can find these bars in cafes and candy stores all around Italy. You can find many versions of Torrone, but the original is the best!

Tiramisu

History: With a great dish, come many legends. And such is the case, with tiramisu, although the origins date back to 1891. Read the tiramisu legends here

Light and creamy, with ingredients like ladyfingers, coffee, and mascarpone cheese. This is the perfect finish to any Italian dinner, and perfect with coffee!

Seafood

Ok, I admit it, there’s no ”interesting fact” about Seafood in Italy. But the taste impressed me so much I just had to include it in!

Being a Greek Cypriot, I have had my fair share of incredible, fresh and delicious seafood in my lifetime! So I didn’t expect to be so blown away by the seafood in Italy.

A meal I am unlikely to forget was by the beach in Ostia a city just outside of Rome on a glorious summer day. Baby calamari, cold seafood pasta, huge prawns in Italian fresh tomatoes, octopus salads…insane!

If you are visiting Italy in the summer and are near the beach, indulge in seafood. I so very highly recommend it!

I hope you have enjoyed my facts about Italian foods! If you are a foodie like me, I am sure you will be looking forward to trying these historical dishes.

In their original, authentic form.. in gorgeous Italy!

Bon Apetito! Tia x

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