A.
Amaretto – sweet Italian liqueur, that have its origin in Saronno, Italy. According to traditional recapture flavor extracted from bitter almonds. Nowadays few brands using the apricot stones, peach stones, or almonds, as base for extracting the flavor. Those one mention here are natural sources of the benzaldehyde that provides the principal almond like flavor of the liqueur. It generally contains 21-28% alcohol.
B.
Biscotti – Italian almond biscuits that originated in the Tuscan city of Prato. Those oblong-shaped, dry and crispy cookies are perfect for dipping in coffee or hot chocolate. The word Biscotto refer to a biscuit that were baked twice, so they became much drier and could be stored for long periods of time. They come in varieties of flavor combinations, from vanilla, to orange blossom, rose water, pistachio or chocolate and many more. Traditionally the dough is mixed with dry fruits, chocolate bits and nuts.
C.
Colosseum – known also as the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium or Colosseo), is an oval Amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome. Colosseum was commissioned around A.D. 70-72 by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the Roman people. In A.D. 80, Vespasian’s son Titus opened the Colosseum–officially to the public. The construction is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete, it was the largest Amphitheatre ever built. At the time of its glorious days it is held 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. It was primarily used for: gladiatorial contests, public spectacles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Roman mythology. Substantially ruined in an immediate effect of earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum till this day stands as iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.
D.
Digestivo – Digestivi (“digestives”) are often in the class of amari, or Italian bitters. Amari are made by infusing grape brandy with a blend of herbs, flowers, aromatic roots and bark, citrus peels, and spices. The infused brandy is then sweetened with sugar syrup and aged for a few weeks up to a few years. With its Herbal scent, and almost medicinal taste, the mixture itself were originally prescribed as a treatment for Various discomforts ranging from an upset stomach to cholera. Over time, Italians began to serve amari after meals; it was thought that the bitter taste cured the body to accelerate digestion. And thus, the delicious Italian Digestivo tradition was born. Today, Italy produces hundreds of varieties of Amari. Just like most of Italian cuisine itself, flavors tend to vary from region to region. Southern Calabria is known for amari spiked with bergamot flowers, while the rhubarb typical to northern Lombardia is the bitter flavor of choice.
E.
Etna – is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily. is the highest active volcano in Europe outside the Caucasus and the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps with a current height of 3,326 m (10,912 ft), though this varies with summit eruptions. Etna covers an area of 1,190 km2 (459 sq mi) with a basal circumference of 140 km (87 miles). This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy, being about two and a half times the height of the next largest, Mount Vesuvius. The last time Mount Etna was awaken and erupted, was in 1999.
F.
Florence – Capital and most populous city of the Italian region of Tuscany. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The Italian language stems from the Florentine dialect. Florence has a legacy that goes back for more than 2000 years. Small city populated with moneylenders and textile merchants, initially with little political and military power, evolve to a bustling center of European trade and finance. In the fourteenth century, the city’s florin, a coin containing 3.5 grams of gold, became the dominant trade coin of Western Europe, replacing heavier silver bars. Known for art and architecture, it is considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Dante, political theorist Machiavelli, astronomer Galileo, the Medici family, which ruled the city for generations, navigator Amerigo Vespucci, and humanitarian Florence Nightingale all called Florence home. It was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1982 for its “600 years of extraordinary artistic activity.” Modern Florence is a testimony to its past. Its buildings are works of art, housing yet more works of art, reflecting the personalities and passions of those who created them.
G.
Gorgonzola – made with use of the rennet (calf stomach enzyme), soft, ripening, blue cheese from the northern Italian region of Lombardy. Its name comes from the village of Gorgonzola, where it has been produced since 879. It is produced from cow’s milk and is dotted with greenish veins of Penicillium glaucum. Usually takes somewhere between 3 to 4 months to fully mature. There are two distinctive types of Gorgonzola cheese: natural, drier cheese with a noticeably more mold and cream cheese, to produce which using enriched milk.
H.
Herb seasoning (Italian herb seasoning) – Italian Seasoning is a blend of dried herbs and spices creating the perfect addition to your pasta sauces, marinades or your choice of chicken, beef or pork dishes and of course pizza. This mildly flavored seasoning has just the right balance of herbs and spices, with just a hint of spice from the red pepper flakes! Reach for it time and again as your favorite seasoning. Whatever you will buy it, already prepared or want to make your own, the list of ingredients stays the same, and the most important stays extremely simple. You will need: dry basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, red chili flakes, thyme and garlic powder. Mix them all together, in the same quantities and enjoy that great aroma. Open a good quality store bot mix, and you will have the same smell sensation. Yes, that is easy.
I.
Ice cream (Gelato) – extremely popular frozen dessert of Italian origin. It is generally made with a base of 3.25% milk and sugar, and it is lower in fat than other styles of frozen desserts. Gelato typically contains 70% less air and more concentrated flavor than other frozen desserts. This density and richness, separate and distinguishes it from other ice creams. Nowadays, gelato is known worldwide. The traditional flavors of gelato consist of vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, cream and Stracciatella (vanilla gelato with chocolate chunks). More modern flavors consist of fruity flavors such as raspberry, strawberry, apple, lemon and pineapple.
J.
Juliet’s balcony – Even Though Juliet Capulet Is a fictional character created by Shakespeare, millions worship her as a personification of love and sacrifice. Every year tourists from around the globe flock to Verona just to see the balcony where she was called by her Romeo. The balcony belongs to the aptly named La Casa di Giulietta, or House of Juliet, the former home of the Cappello family and the inspiration for the Capulets. Love-struck couples linger in the garden, pose for pictures on the balcony, or attach letters filled with sweet nothings to the walls. For good luck, many like to cop a feel off the bronze statue of Juliet, specifically her right breast, which has resulted in it developing a beautiful patina.
K.
King Corso (Cane Corso), Italian Mastiff – Italian breed of mastiff dogs. Large and heavy dogs, from the molosses family are used mainly for personal protection, tracking, law enforcement, as a guard dog, and as a companion dog It is closely related to the Neapolitan Mastiff (my Ultimate favorite). Corso is well muscled and less bulky than most other Mastiff breeds. Easily reaches 28 inches tall by the shoulders, and 100 pound of pure muscle weight.
L.
Leonardo Da Vinci – Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, born April 15th,1452 was an immensely talented persona. Described as: architect, anatomist, sculptor, engineer, inventor, geometer, musician, and painter. Leonardo was the archetype “Renaissance man,” infinitely curious and equally inventive. He is recognized as the greatest painters of all time. Leonardo is famous for his realistic paintings, as well his inventions. He was the creator of concepts for the helicopter, a tank, the use of concentrated solar power, the calculator, a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics, the double hull, and many others. Sadly, only few of his designs were constructed during his lifetime as a result of lack of technology in metallurgy and engineering. However, he greatly advanced the fields of knowledge in anatomy, astronomy, civil engineering, optics, and hydrodynamics. From all his works, only a few paintings and his notebooks (scattered among various collections) containing drawings, scientific diagrams and notes have survived. Died on May 2nd, 1519. The most extraordinary and well knows Leonardo’s works include: Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Vitruvian man, Self-portrait, The virgin of the Rocks, Head of the woman, Lady with an Ermine, Salvatore Mundi, Ginevra de’ Benci, The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne.
.
M.
Mozzarella – White mozzarella is a popular Italian cheese made from Italian water buffalo’s milk. Mozzarella is a semi-soft cheese very mild in taste. Although there are different types of mozzarella cheese (made from buffalo’s milk, cow’s milk, goats’ milk, and sheep’s milk), authentic mozzarella from southern Italy, from Lazio and Campana regions is always buffalo mozzarella (Mozzarella di Bufala Campana). Traditionally mozzarella is an ingredient of various dishes extremely popular throughout Italy.
N.
Nutella -a brand of sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread. Nutella manufactured by the Italian company Ferrero and was first introduced in 1963. first jar of Nutella left the factory in Alba on April 20, 1964. The product was an instant success and remains widely popular.
O.
Orange Olive Oil Cake – (TORTE DI OLIO D’OLIVA) – This easy Italian olive oil cake is incredibly tender and moist with a slightly sweet citrus flavor. This luxurious cake has a soft crumb and loads of savory flavor. It is a shame that this delicious orange cake is mostly unknown outside Italy. Many people, just now becoming aware of it, and its extraordinary taste. Olive oil cakes were traditionally brought out after a dinner with family and friends, and the leftovers were always enjoyed the next morning with cup of coffee. This cake is denser in texture, than traditional butter cake. It has a soft and moist crumb, and is sweet enough, and the citrus adds up another layer of flavor, yet savory thanks to high-quality extra virgin olive oil. It is a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
P.
Panettone – Sweet bread/ cake originally from Milan usually prepared and enjoyed for Christmas holiday season. Always a round shape, crowned with a dome, usually about 12–15 cm high. It is made from sweet yeast dough, that take long time to rise and proof. It needs to be baked in special form, and cooled upside down, to a chive that characteristic shape. It contains candied orange, citron, and lemon zest, as well as raisins, which are added dry and not soaked. Many other variations are available such as plain or with chocolate.
Q.
Quadrucci – stuffed pasta squares, that is are added to soups or clear broth.
R.
Ravioli -singular: raviolo) are a type of pasta comprising a filling enveloped in thin pasta dough. Usually served in broth or with a sauce, they originated as a traditional food in Italian cuisine. Ravioli are commonly square, though other forms are also used, including circular and semi-circular (mezzelune). Traditionally, ravioli is made at home. The filling varies according to the area where they are prepared. In Rome and Latium, the filling is made with ricotta cheese, spinach, nutmeg and black pepper. In Sardinia, ravioli is filled with ricotta and grated lemon rind.
S.
Salami – cured sausage of air-dried meat, typically pork. Historically, extremely popular among peasant people because it can be stored at room temperature for up to 40 days once cut open, allow g for meat storage and consumption without refrigerating system. Traditional salami, with its typical marbled look is made from beef, pork, Veal, venison and poultry (mostly turkey). Goose salami is traditional in parts of Northern Italy. Salami in the past has also been made from horse meat. In the Provence region of France, donkey meat is used for salami, as well, the product being sold in street markets. Typical additional ingredients include: Garlic, Minced fat, Salt, Spices, usually white pepper, Various herbs, Vinegar, Wine.
T.
Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa) – freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral in the Italian city of Pisa. The construction is known worldwide for its leaning posture (nearly four-degree), the result of an unstable foundation. The tower began to lean during construction in the 12th century, due to soft ground which could not properly support the structure’s weight, and it progressed through the completion of construction in the 14th century. The height of the tower is 55.86 meters (183.27 feet) from the ground on the low side and 56.67 meters (185.93 feet) on the high side. The tower has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing staircase. By 1990, the tilt had reached 5.5 degrees. The structure was stabilized by remedial work between 1993 and 2001, which reduced the tilt to 3.97 degrees.
U.
Uva Fragola – Black grape used to make “fragolino” wine. this is an Italian sparkling red wine produced in Veneto with Isabella grape, or Uva Fragola (literally, “strawberry-grape”). Sweet and refreshing, the fragolino is a summer wine, with a delicate aftertaste of strawberry. The wine was inexpensive and became popular around the Venetian area, where it was produced. However, Fragolino is considered a very low-quality wine among connoisseurs. Today, it is almost impossible to find the real fragolino because its commerce was banned by the EU and the Italian government. Many stories have been told about the fragolino ban. The more official one is that it was banned because it is difficult to control methanol levels during wine production and methanol can be poisonous.
W.
Wedding soup (Zuppa di scroll or Minestra Marinata) – exceedingly popular soup in Italy, perfect especially for a colder days. “Married soup” refers to the mixture of green vegetables and meat, and how they harmoniously coming together as one, in love. It is an easy dish to make, and very satisfying. List of ingredients consists: green vegetables (usually endive and escarole or cabbage, lettuce, kale, and/or spinach) and meat (usually meatballs and/or sausage. Wedding soup most of the times has some small type of pasta (usually cavatelli, fusilli, acini di pepe, pastina, orzo, etc.), lentils, carrots and shaved leaves of parmesan cheese.
V.
Venice – city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region, that is built on a cluster of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and connected by over 400 bridges. The name evolved from the ancient Veneti people who lived in this lands around 10th century BC. The city was historically the capital of the Republic of Venice for over a millennium (697 to 1797). It was a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades. Immensely important center of commerce (silk, grain, and spice, and art) especially from 13th century to the end of the 17th.It was the greatest seaport in late medieval Europe and the continent’s commercial and cultural link to Asia. The city -state of Venice is considered to have been the first real international financial center, that emerged in the dark middle ages and reached its greatest prominence in the 14th century. Venice stay an extremely wealthy city throughout most of its history. It remains a major Italian port in the northern Adriatic Sea and is one of the world’s oldest tourist and cultural centers. Today Venice is recognized as part of the artistic and architectural heritage for all humanity. A role for a city which thousand-year economic and political independence was sustained by participating in global trading. The location of the city and framework of canals and narrow streets has stopped the invasion of vehicles; and its unparalleled wealth and fine buildings and monuments dating back to the period of commercial dominance makes the city so unique and exquisite in the same time.
Z.
Zeppole – Italian pastry made of pate Choux dough (the same exactly like for the French cream puffs and Éclairs). deep-fried dough ball, that become golden brown and deliciously crispy all over. They vary in size and shape, but that is the beauty of them. This treat is usually topped with powdered sugar, and may be filled with custard, jelly, cannoli-style pastry cream, or a butter-and-honey mixture. The consistency ranges from light and puffy, to bread- or pasta-like. It is eaten to celebrate Saint Joseph’s Day, which is a Catholic feast day.
Wow..amazing!!!👍👍👍