There are many foods that Americans feel belong to the Italian cuisine, like Sunday gravy. Some of the dishes are purely creations from North American chefs, while some have roots in Italy, but have another name or are part of a very different recipe. Numbers two, four, six, and nine were the biggest surprises when we began this post. You may find that the appetizers that we think are classic Italian are not even thought of when a traditional chef is preparing a menu.
1) Chicken and Veal Parmesan
While we think that Sicilians are responsible for this favorite food, Italians are more likely to put Parmesan cheese on vegetables and bake it. A typical dinner in the country is eggplant Parmesan. Immigrants were the ones who began using extra cheese on breaded chicken in America.
2) Pepperoni Pizza
Our favorite Italian dish is not even Italian? Are you serious? This food is not standard in Italy because Italians use anchovies, sardines, and vegetables like broccoli rabe and potatoes. Sausage pizza is typical in the country though.
3) Spaghetti and Meatballs
Did this meal surprise you? There is a chance that you will find pasta with some tiny meatballs, or Polpette, as Italians call them while visiting. A more authentic meat dish is where the meatballs are the star and sit front and center with no bed of pasta in sight.
4) Shrimp Scampi
This dish does have some connection to an Italian dish where Langoustine lobsters go in a butter sauce with olive oil, garlic, and onions. In Italian, the little crustaceans are called scampi. The American version of the dish uses shrimp and the same sauce with a bed of rice to complete the meal.
5) Lobster Fra Diavolo
While this dish uses some traditional Italian ingredients like lobster and peppers, the local chefs do not put these items in tomato sauces. Pasta usually gets a generous coat of olive oil, not marinara.
6) Muffuletta
This New Orleans sandwich has Sicilian roots. Italian immigrants brought traditional flavors and ingredients to America when coming to live here. New dishes and unorthodox ways of cooking gave way to fast meal prep as shift work became prevalent in American mining communities.
7) Salads with Italian dressing
Italians coat vegetables and greens with oil and sometimes an olive oil and vinegar mix, not peppers and zesty sauce.
8) Baked Ziti
Baked pasta has a long history in Italy, but the use of tomato sauce and gooey cheese in these dishes is an American adaptation. Who can resist tons of ricotta and pasta?
Did you know that garlic bread and mozzarella sticks are not Italian foods? We thought they were, but in Italy when you want a side of bread, yours will likely come plainly baked. Forget about ordering mozzarella sticks because these deep-fried treats are only American. Main dishes in Italy typically use fresh tomatoes and olive oil. So, when you go to visit the country that looks like a boot, remember that not everything you think is Italian will be on the menu.
Chef Aldo Piquanti
Food Blogger
Prepared Meal Delivery Reviews
