Italy

Italy

• Climate & Geography

• Culture• Economy• Religion • Cuisine

– Protein– Fruits & Vegetables– Grains

Geography

• Italy- many islands and a boot-shaped peninsula

• 2 largest islands– Sicily– Sardinia

• Mountainous land– Italian Alps in Northern Italy– Apennines (central Italy)

divides peninsula in half• Many volcanoes located in

the southern Apennines – Mount Vesuvius (destroyed

the city of Pompeii)

Geography• Northern Italy

– Great beauty and rich land– Large % of industrial output– Po Valley

• Located between the Alps and the Apennines• Rich agricultural area• Only large lowland in Italy• Most productive farming area in the country

• Central Italy– Mountainous and hilly– Grain, grapes and olives grow on terraced hills– Rome & Florence (Rome is Italy’s capital)

• Southern Italy– Poorest region in natural resources– Naples is Italy’s 2nd busiest seaport

Climate

• Much of Italy has a Mediterranean climate– Summer- sunny and dry (rainfall in

winter)

• In the North– Rain at any time– Temperatures are cooler

Culture (Past)• Influences on Italian Culture

– The Etruscans & the Greeks• 2 most powerful peoples in early Italy• Etruscans- developed a refined society in Northern & Central Italy• Greeks- colonized Southern Italy & Sicily

– Beautiful temples and palaces still remain– The Roman Empire

• Latin's made Rome the capital• Rome prospered and soon ruled Europe, No. Africa & Western Asia• The Romans built their cities and surrounding area• Fall of Western Roman Empire- Emperor Constantine moved capital to

Constantinople– The Roman Catholic Church

• Church was governmental• 5th century- Bishop of Rome became the Pope• 14th century- Renaissance began

– Arts, literature and science» Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Galileo

Culture (Modern)

• Republican form of Government

• Aligned w/ nations of the western world

• Industrial & agricultural growth

• Lives of the poor are improving

Economy

• Agriculture– ½ of land is farming– Po River Valley

• Northern Italy– Wheat, corn, rice, sugar beets (alt. to cane)– Largest cheese-producing region

• Southern Italy– Olive trees

• Industrial Output (Northern Italy)– Steel and textiles

• Wine Industry– Vineyards throughout country– Red, white & sparkling wine for domestic & export use

Lifestyle

• Fine Arts– Great respect for the fine arts– Paintings, sculptures and architectural works

• Conversation– Popular pastime– Food– Card games

• Church– Roman Catholics– Catholicism is taught in the public schools

• Activities– Tennis, soccer, water polo

Holidays• Carnevale

– Celebration preceding Lent– Costumes & masks,

parades and balls• Pasque (Easter)

– Foods• Cakes and breads in the

shape of doves• Lamb- symbolizes spring• Eggs- symbolize life• Wheat- resurrection of

Christ

• Harvest festivals– Late summer and early fall– Gatherings of important

food

Holidays• Olive Festival

– Farmers and workers feats on pasta, olives and wine

• Fishing Festival– Eat seafood barbequed along the shore

• Festa de Morti (All Souls day)– Pay respect to relatives who have passed

on– Leave food out in their kitchen for the souls

• Christmas – Baboo Natale- Father Christmas– No meat on Christmas Eve

Cuisine

• History– Greeks

•Romans paid high prices for Greek chefs

– Good food was a status symbol– Credit given to Catherine De Medici

for bringing her cooks to the French

Cuisine

• Characteristics– High quality

ingredients– Shop daily– Stock kitchens with

herbs, spices and seasonings

– Commonly used- garlic, cloves, celery, onions, shallots, vinegar, olives and lemon juice

– Fresh fruits & vegetables

– Top of range used (fuel is expensive to run oven)

Cuisine

• Staple Foods– Pasta

• Al dente• Served in many different ways

– Seafood– Rice

• Italy is Europe’s largest producer

– Pork, lamb, veal & beef– Sausage, wild game and poultry

Cuisine

• Dairy Products– Cheese

• Parmesan, mozzarella, Romano, ricotta, provolone, Gorgonzola

– Ice Cream• Italian’s introduced ice cream to Europe

Cuisine

• Northern Italy– Soups– Stuffed pastas– Rich meat sauces– Mortadella

• Italian sausage (popular in US)

– Risottos, gnocchi and polenta

– Specialties• Chicken cacciatore• Minestrone soup• Osso buco (braised

veal shank)

Cuisine

• Central Italy– Spaghetti– Lambs– Cheesecake (made w/ ricotta cheese)– Cenci- deep fried pastry strips shaped

like bows– Tuscany

• Home grown veggies, beans and charcoal grilled meats

Cuisine

• Southern Italy– Pasta w/ rich tomato sauces– Large tubular pastas– Lasagna– Spaghetti w/ clam sauce– Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese– Pizza- originated in Naples

Cuisine

• Italian Meals– Light breakfast – Hearty noon meal

• Largest meal of the day- eaten at home

– Antipasto- appetizer• Meats and vegetables

– Soup – Main course w/ vegetable or salad– Fruit and cheese– Fancy desserts for special occasions

Menu

• Antipasto• Chicken Cacciatore• Homemade Pasta • Penne (Italian Bread)• Cenci (Deep-Fried Sweet Pastry)