Across the pond too many of us think of
Italian food as a choice in the mall food court or a place to impress our date with the size of our wallets, but while you spend time in
Italy, you become aware of the boot’s rich bounty. Like its Mediterranean cousins to the
south and
east, Italian food is based on rich vegetable dishes and hearty bread. While Italy’s cuisine is famous for its
sumptuous meat and dairy recipes, vegetable dishes rule. In fact, most Italian means involve three or four different platters of vegetables--and they are not sides, they are the meals’ showcase. Of course bread has its role, too. As this picture shows, meat is more of a condiment or topping, not the center of the meal. But whether you are
sitting down for a meal with an Italian family, or grabbing something quick to go, fresh vegetables define what you eat. As our society grapples with how to be more healthful, fresh food must be a priority, not an afterthought.
Our
in one picture series covers the world.
Grab-and-go-in Italy is always a treat.
