20 ITALIAN REGIONAL CUISINES
BY: Leon J. Radomile / www.leonradomile.com
Italian cuisine is noted for its regional diversity and variety of tastes. It is now considered by many as the most popular cuisine in the world.
Ragazzi e Ragazze, after finishing this awesome quiz about Italian regional cuisine, I can promise you three things, First: you will be salivating, Second: you will be overcome with the urge to devour something created in an Italian kitchen and Third: not only will you never forget this quiz but Italian cuisine will become your favorite cuisine if it is not already. By the way, one of your most treasured books will be, How Italian Food Conquered the World by John Mariani. Now you may begin reading this delicious quiz. But remember, no cheating. Answers listed below list quiz questions.
1] This Italian region draws as heavily from its Germanic roots as it does from
its Italian heritage. Resulting in a unique blend of the two cuisines. Goulash is
served with cornmeal polenta. Pizza and pasta are as likely to be on the menu
as sauerkraut. Think Canederli
2] This region’s cooking is known as a composite of sophisticated Venetian
food, influences from the Austrian/Slavic cultures and Friulian peasant fare.
Despite these vastly different styles of cooking, this region has merged them
successfully. Think Gulasch con polenta
3] Today, the diet of this region is comprised of grains, vegetables, seafood,
meats, dairy, olive oil, and plenty of fresh produce. The Greeks left
flatbreads that would later develop into the popular focaccia loaves.
Think Pasta con le sarde
4] Region’s location is ideal for fresh seafood and harvesting food from the
land. Brodetto, or fish soup, may contain any number of types of fish and are
often seasoned with vinegar, garlic, or saffron and thickened with flour.
Think Maccheroncini
5] The climate in this mountainous region is mild and perfect for growing
vegetables, olives, and grapes. Its unique sauce takes basil and blends it with
extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmigiano Reggiano and is used in
pasta, soups, or rice dishes. Think Pesto alla Genovese
6] This large and wealthy region is rich in meat products and super-eggy
pasta. Best known for their prosciutto and the “king of cheese”, Parmigiano
Reggiano. Think Tortellini Pasticciati all Bolognese
7] The cuisine of this Italian region remains a rural one, deeply anchored in
peasant traditions. Mutton and lamb are the favorite meats in this region’s
cuisine. Think Pignata di pecora
8] The food of this region is simple dishes that are quick and easy to cook
and based on fresh ingredients that are available to all. Specialties such as
spaghetti alla carbonara, or Coda alla Vaccinara, (braised oxtail), or gnocchi
alla romana, are known throughout the world. Think delicious!
9] The most famous of this region’s meats features a three-inch Porterhouse
steak. It is marinated simply in olive oil and garlic, grilled over hot coals, until
medium rare, and served over a bed of arugula or grilled vegetables. Their
cuisine is known throughout the world. Think Bistecca Alla Fiorentina.
10] This region's cooking uses fava beans to make hearty soups seasoned with
pork rinds and rosemary. Onion soup is flavored with tomatoes, salt-preserved pork,
fresh basil, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Think Pollo in Potacchio
11] French, Swiss, and Piemonte influence has created its cuisine, an entirely
unique set of dishes despite being the smallest region in Italy. Here, pasta is
not a staple food. Think Minestra di castagne e riso
12] The rolling plains of this region make kid and lamb a staple. The region’s
location between the two Seas ensures a steady supply of seafood. Oysters and
mussels are the preferred shellfish, but octopus, squid, sea urchins, and fish
dishes are renowned throughout the peninsula. Think Polpi arricciati
13] Pezatta is a dish of stewed mutton with tomatoes and onions flavored with
rosemary and hot peppers. Like Abruzzo, this region’s recipes often contain
hot peppers affectionately referred to as diavolino, or the little devil.
Hint: became its own region in 1970.
14] Known for their immense variety of antipasti, their famous bagna càuda
begins the meal with pieces of raw vegetables served with a heated sauce of
garlic and anchovies in mixed olive oil and butter.
Think Insalata di carne cruda
15] The region's cooking uses generous amounts of butter, cream, and lard, but
recently has been converting recipes to olive oil. The first dish most people
would say is a hallmark of this region would involve risotto.
Think Risotto alla Milanese
16] This region produces a fourth of Italy’s olive oil. Not only used in their
cooking, but also for preserving food such as mushrooms, vegetables and fish.
Known since ancient times for their Luganega sausage.
Think Pesce alla Marinara
17] The cuisine from this region is regarded as exotic and exciting. Their
recipes often call for seafood, such as prawns, crabs, clams, mussels, scallops,
octopus, sea snails, and many kinds of fish. When it comes to wine, think
Soave, Bardolino and Pinot Grigio. Polenta Pastizada
18] Their pizza and pasta, cooked from local wheat, became famous
throughout the world. Their unpretentious pizza is usually either pizza
marinara, topped with tomato, garlic, and oil, or pizza Margherita with tomato,
basil, and mozzarella. Think Ziti al Ragù
19] Their cuisine is famous for using artichokes and cardoons, legumes, and
potatoes. Many meals from this region begin with a pasta course like
Maccheroni alla chitarra. Other recipes feature fresh seafood from the
Adriatic. Think Porchetta
20] The heart of this region's cooking is said to be the humble meals of the
peasants, primarily roasted and preserved meats, aged cheese, and wines. The
region's cooks are masters of cooking over the open flame. Herbs and woods
are used in the flame to flavor the food. Think Bistecchine di Cinghiale
QUIZ ANSWERS: 1] Trentino-Alto Adige, 2] Friuli Venezia Giulia, 3] Sicilia,
4] Marche, 5] Liguria, 6] Emilia-Romagna, 7] Basilicata, 8] Lazio, 9] Toscana,
10] Umbria, 11] Valle d'Aosta, 12] Puglia, 13] Molise, 14] Piemonte,
15] Lombardia, 16] Calabria, 17] Veneto, 18] Campania, 19] Abruzzo,
20] Sardegna
