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Dinner Italian Style

3/21/2014

7 Comments

 
Cena in stile Italiano, or dinner Italian style, can be quite an elaborate affair, involving multiple courses, all served separately over several hours.  Eating in courses is certainly not unique to the Italian culture, but Italians do seem to make the most of it.  There is a prescribed order in which each course is served and (in true stubborn Italian style) deviations from this order are "forbidden!"  You may choose to skip a course, but you may not change the order – at least in some of the restaurants I've visited in Italy.

The meal officially begins with an apertivo, usually a beverage such as proseco, a dry Italian sparkling wine.  Then, an array of antipasti (starters, literally "before the meal") appears.  Zuppa (soup) is served next; followed by the primo piatto course (the first plate).  Primo piatto is almost always a pasta course – pasta served with a simple sauce (usually cream, tomato, oil, or butter based).

The main course, or secondo piatto (literally second plate), typically involves meat, seafood, or fish, or some combination of the three.  Next up:  contorno.  Although the contorno (or side dish) is considered a separate course, it is normally served with the secondo piatto, but always on a separate plate.  A vegetable is most often selected as the contorno.
  The salad, or insalata, unlike in many cultures, follows the main course and side dish.  After the salad comes the formagi e frutta (cheese and fruit).  Dolci (sweets), the dessert course, follows the fruit and cheese, and caff
è (coffee) comes last.  Well, almost last!  Following everything, it is not uncommon for someone to suggest and order (or serve) a digestivo – often grappa or limoncello to facilitate better digestion. 

I remember these huge meals as a child, particularly those on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.  We didn't have names for each course, we just knew more good food was always yet to come.  As a young boy, my favorite part of the feast was what I now know as the digestivo.  My father always ensured I had a half-shot of Anisette to end the day and to put me quickly to sleep!  Wonderful memories, to be sure.

Even today, my wife and I prefer to entertain with multiple-course meals, although we've yet to serve eleven courses as my ancestors did.  We serve each course separately, and allow time between courses to clear the table, relax a bit, and prepare for the next offering.  It makes for great dining, great conversation, and great fun!
Buon appetito.

P.S.  The new recipes listed here include two of my favorite vegetables (contorni), one of my favorite veal dishes (secondi piatti), and a simple, delicious fritatta.  I created the Strawberry Soup (zuppa) for my grandchildren at their request.  I know it's good because they asked for a second helping!
NEW RECIPES

Sauteed Broccoli Rabe
Sauteed Spinach
Strawberry Soup
Fritatta with Fresh Herbs

Veal Piccata
7 Comments
David
3/21/2014 12:02:15 pm

A few of the old style nicer restaurants in France still serve the salad course after the main dish. Unfortunately, many have been "Americanized".

I had to smile when you commented about the coffee at the end of the meal. I don't know if it works the same way in Italy, but in France, if you ask for coffee earlier in the meal, they might smile and go away and, of course, not bring your coffee. When the meal is over, they will then ask if you want coffee!

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Grandpa Joe
3/22/2014 01:33:26 am

David,

I had a similar experience in a small trattoria in Rome. A cousin, Father Joe (now Monsignor Joe), who was completing his doctoral studies at the American University there, had invited Grandma Karen, my father, and me to join him for dinner at his favorite restaurant. He had explained there would be many courses offered, but skipping courses was expected. We all decided to pass on the secondi piatti, the main course, the course when the contorno would be served, but Karen asked to have her contorno (fresh asparagus that she knew was in season) served with her pasta. The waiter almost shouted, “No! No!”

Father Joe, fluent in Italian and intent on pleasing his cousins, left the table to speak with the chef. From the kitchen we heard him ask, in Italian, that the lady be served her asparagus early. The response was another, “No.” Then more Italian from Father Joe; followed by yet more noes. More Italian. Then silence.

Father Joe returned to the table and changed the subject of our conversation. A bit later, the waiter appeared with the infamous asparagus and (rather abruptly, I thought at the time) placed it in front of Karen. She, of course, thanked him profusely, but he remained stoic.

At the end of the meal we all ordered coffee, and Karen and my father ordered grappa. Father Joe was in charge of ordering (it was all in Italian), so he said, “Due grappa”. The waiter obliged and brought the brandies and set them in front my father and Father Joe, who said quickly, “No, it’s for the lady.”

The waiter turned to Karen and with a huge smile said, “Ah! Si si, per la signora.” Apparently, her recognition of the importance of completing an Italian feast in the traditional manner meant a great deal to him, and all prior transgressions were forgiven.

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Mia Evans link
1/2/2023 08:36:52 pm

Thanks for helping me understand that the salad would come after the main course and side dish. I will keep that in mind if my partner and I plan to book an Italian cuisine catering service. This is for the food we need for our wedding day, since he has relatives with Italian roots which is why we need to get this right.

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Grandpa Joe
1/4/2023 10:41:05 am

I am delighted to hear this blog was of some assistance. Buon appetito and best wishes to you and your partner.

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Millie Hue link
1/8/2023 07:49:48 pm

I find it interesting when you talked about the food that you eat before the actual meal which is the antipasti. I should expect that when I go to a local dine-in Italian restaurant here in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It will make the experience feel authentic if we follow the order what to eat at a restaurant like that once we find one this weekend.

Reply
Mary Ann Fitch
6/17/2023 01:47:38 pm

Hi Joe,
I always search my favorite cook, for your special meatballs.
Hope all is well Happy Father's Day
Love, Mary Ann

Reply
Expat Wife Escapades link
8/29/2023 01:42:02 am

This was grreat to read

Reply



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    Hobby Chef Grandpa Joe has been practicing Italian-style cooking for over 60 years.  He enjoys cooking, entertaining, and then sharing his culinary experiences with family and friends.

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