Debunking The Most Common Myths About Italian Food

If there’s anything people would rank after burgers in Sayreville NJ, it’s probably Italian cuisine. Pizza is a niche of its own that has captured the taste buds of villains of people across the globe. Pasta has also made quite the mark. Italian dishes are some of the most delicious. Many tourists travel to Italy just to get a taste of genuine Italian cooking.

But people all over the globe tend to get many things wrong about this cuisine. It’s mostly because of the way countries around the world have adapted these dishes to their taste. Here we bust some common myths about this cuisine:

It’s All Pasta And Pizza

Let’s start with the obvious, Italian cuisine is not just pasta and pizza. That’s like saying American food is just burgers in Sayreville NJ, even though there’s much more to it. Other than several types of pasta and pizza, Italian chefs prepare various types of salads, rice dishes, fritters and potato dishes. Many restaurants all over the US serve these dishes. You can also go to Italy to see what their cuisine is all about.

Italians Add Cheese To Everything

Italians love their cheese but they don’t use it as often as most of us would believe. Cheese is a key ingredient in only a few dishes. It’s not used in many dishes because it could ruin the dish’s taste.

Pepperoni Is Italian

If you love pepperoni toppings, then you’ll be in for some heartbreak in Italy because they don’t serve it there. If you ask for pepperoni, then you might get bell pepper toppings because it sounds similar to peperoni in Italian. The topping available in pizzerias like Mike’s Pizza was actually invented by Italian migrants, making it an Italian-American dish rather than a genuine Italian one.

Pasta Must Be Washed

Washing ingredients before cooking might seem like common sense but not in the case of pasta. Washing it will get rid of its starch and healthy nutrients. You need to cook it without washing it. Try a package that does not require rinsing.

Spaghetti With Meatballs Is Common

You might find spaghetti with meatballs in restaurants serving Italian food in Sayreville NJ but not so often in Italy. Their chefs usually don’t use meatballs in spaghetti. You might find a version of spaghetti in southern Italy where they layer small meatballs and tomatoes in between but that’s as close as it gets.

It’s Normal To Have Cappuccino After Lunch

Italians have cappuccino only as breakfast with bread or biscuit. Some may have it in the late afternoon but never at the end of a meal. The same applies to any drink made with milk.

Alfredo Sauce Is Popular

Alfredo sauce seems to be a popular Italian dish considering you can find it in any restaurant that serves Italian food in Sayreville NJ. But the pasta sauce is not used in Fettuccine Alfredo served in Italy. The chefs just used butter, parmesan and pepper. Most people there have never heard of the creamy sauce. It’s still worth a try.

It’s Normal To Dip Bread In Olive Oil

Italians don’t dip bread in olive oil, they eat it plain with the antipasto platter.

You Can Super Top Pizzas

People used to super-topping their pies and ordering sides like wings in Sayreville NJ might be disappointed. The type of pizzas you get differs based on where in Italy you eat. Roman pies tend to be thin and striped while Neapolitan pies tend to be thick and chewy. Most restaurants use only a few toppings to avoid ruining the taste.

Italian Food Is Unhealthy

The fact that Italian dishes don’t use cheese as often as you believe is the first proof against this myth. Even a dish like pizza that has cheese is healthy and balanced. It’s alright as long as you don’t overeat.

These are just the most common myths about Italian cuisine. If reading this makes you hungry, then try a few dishes at Mike’s Pizza.

Hi, I am Brittany. I am a writer, illustrator, and social media manager at Red Dash Media LLC in New Jersey. I love singing & exploring new things. I am excited to join here.