Slow Food - 5 gennaio, 2014

Like most Americans, I have always loved "Italian food". It didn't take me long to realize that my experiences at Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill did not truly prepare me for the dining experience here. I have yet to be served garlic bread or even seen anyone dip their bread in olive oil. It is true that pasta is a true basic and the first entree for most full meals but there much of the similarity ends. I am sure I will always love American-Italian food but I am really enjoying my education in Italian cuisine.

One of the first things I learned here is that one does not ever rush a meal. This is as true in the little neighborhood trattorias as it is in the fancier places.  Restaurants don't generally open for dinner until 7 or 7:30 PM and once you sit down, no one hurries over to take your order. It appears that restaurants don't expect to turn over a table during the dinner hour because no one will ever present "il conto" (the check) until it is asked for. It is not unusual for people to sit for 3 or 4 hours at the table, even when children are present. Everything is slower and more relaxed.

The meal generally starts with an antipasto course, followed by a first entree of pasta (primo piatto) and then a second course of meat or fish (secondo piatto).  Bread, without butter, is provided at the table. Often there is only one item, such as a piece of meat or fish on the plate. If a salad is desired, it is served after the main meal as a digestive. Dolci (sweets) are offered at the end and followed by coffee. If you ask for any form of coffee other than espresso, they know you are a foreigner!

On Christmas, we took our daughter Annie to an agriturisimo which is an inn located in a farm environment and where locally produced items are served. Since it was a holiday meal, there were even more courses (seven) and they were served at a pace that spread over four and half hours. We found out you can eat a lot when you have half a day to do so. There were several large family groups in the room with us and we enjoyed seeing the interaction between generations. We were rather conspicuous sitting at our little table of three but a number of the other guests reached out to us as if they wondered why we had been abandoned by our own family. When they found out we were Americans living in Italy, they were gracious and friendly. The meal had begun at 12:30; by the time we left happy and satisfied, it was already dark. 

Antipasto plate

Fiochetti Emiliani in broth

Primi piatti:Tagliolini and Risotto

First of two Secondi Piatti: Veal with veggies

 

Ist dessert: Cake with apple and chocolate

Traditional Christmas cake: Panettone