Italian Cuisine – More Delicious Authentic Dishes

We’ve covered a few dishes in the vast landscape of Italian cuisine already and now, it’s time to go back and explore some more.

Lasagna 

Now, while we’re pretty sure you’ve heard of this one, this piece will be highlighting two particular styles of lasagna, one of which is, Lasagne alla Bolognese. This traditional Italian dish is crafted together from ragù, Béchamel sauce, and, lastly, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. 

As for the other, it is Lasagne Napoletana, a lasagna made from meatballs, sausage and ricotta cheese, and is often served during the Carnivale in Naples. While there is some confusion in regards to the exact origin of this dish, with some arguing that its roots trace back to ancient Greece rather than Italy. However, in the minds of the majority of the world, and I’m sure that includes you as well, the name, Lasagna will always call to mind the beautiful country of Italy, and authentic Italian lasagna is something any pasta lover needs to try.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara 

Carbonara isn’t the oldest or most famous pasta dish in Rome, that honour goes to cacio e pepe, but its taste is, undoubtedly, one to remember. Made from guanciale, Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh eggs and black pepper, this authentic Italian cuisine is easily one of the best dishes the country has to offer. 

The origins of this traditional Roman delicacy remain a mystery, though, because its name comes from carbonaro, which means charcoal burner, some speculate that it was a popular meal among Italian charcoal workers, while others suspect that it has something to do with the Carbonari, a secret Italian society, but none of these theories has ever been confirmed. 

There are many places in Rome where you can get a fantastic Spaghetti alla Carbonara, from traditional trattorias to high-end restaurants, but some of the best are Vascello, Da Danilo, Salumeria Roscioli.

Caponata

Sicilian cuisine is a wonderful mash-up of Arab, Greek, and Spanish influences. With such a mash-up of cultures, there’s no shortage of great food that will beckon as you wander the streets. While sampling them all may be the best solution, if you could only pick one, then caponata should be your choice. 

The aubergine is the star of this warm vegetable salad, but the gorgeously sweet and sour sauce is what makes it such a memorable treat. Onions, celery, capers, and whatever other vegetable people have on hand are usually included. Aside from that, there is no standard caponata recipe because each house and restaurant have their own version. As a result, olives, raisins, pine nuts, and even octopus are not uncommon ingredients in caponata served in Sicily.