 5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. The Italian food most Americans love - spaghetti and meatballs, baked ziti, sausage and peppers - is as red-blooded (and red-sauced) American as it is Italian. In authentic Italian food, whole fish, game and offal are customary; and a great deal of the country's culinary landscape embraces cocina povera, or “peasant cooking," as well as living off the land's fresh fruits and vegetables. This simplicity - sometimes from unexpected ingredients - plays a key part in living la dolce vita, according to David Rocco. Rocco is an Italian cookbook author and the host of “David Rocco’s Dolce Vita” and "David Rocco’s Amalfi Getaway” on the Cooking Channel. Five Surprising Components of the Italian Dinner Table: David Rocco The flour is surprisingly sweet with a gorgeous nutty flavor that makes wonderful desserts like castagnaccio (chestnut cake) and chestnut fritters. It’s also wonderful for those who have a sensitivity to wheat, since it does not contain gluten." Chestnut Fritters (Frittelle di Castagne) 1 3/4 cups (400 ml) of chestnut flour Mix the chestnut flour and the water together until the mixture is smooth and just slightly thicker than a pancake batter. Add a pinch of salt and give it a good mix. Heat up the olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Just before the oil starts to smoke start adding your fritter batter in small ladlefuls. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook until they’re golden on both sides. As each one is done, put them on a plate covered with an absorbent paper towel to soak up any excess oil. Plate them and sprinkle with icing sugar. 2. Lemons Often, when we stopped for a lemon granita (lemon ice), we found there were little chunks of rind in there that were a burst of flavor and added a fun texture. We even did some grilling on lemon leaves (and you can too): the oils from the leaves infuse the meat or cheese with lemony flavor, and, believe me, there were no sourpusses at the table!" 3. Couscous In San Vito Lo Capo, just outside Palermo, they have a weekend festival where - you guessed it - couscous is the star ingredient!" 4. Wine (just trust me, here) And if baking isn't your thing, substitute your vegetable broth with a good Chianti wine when making a risotto for a full-bodied dish that is not short on flavor. Or for one of my summertime favorites, add fresh-cut peaches to a pitcher of wine for a delicious post-dinner infusion." 5. Kiwi Kiwi slices muddled with vodka, simple syrup, and a splash of Prosecco makes for a unique Italian cocktail - and I bet you thought New Zealand had the kiwi market covered." Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down. |
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I agree Spaghetti & meatballs, Baked Ziti not a typical Italian dish found in Italy, but being full blooded Calabrese straight from the old country I can tell you Homemade Spicy Sausage Onions & Peppers is a very typical dish in most true Italian homes!
Dont be get me started on collard green!!!!!!
Good Lawd! Kiwi make me half to take a dyarear on da turrlet!!!
Corn do dat 2 me!!!
Praise da Lawd!! Catfish give me da runs!!
Love your blog – Grazie Mil David! Always nice to learn a new cooking technique or custom – especially with the kiwi!
http://www.DonnaSalernoTravel.com
To Accuracy In Reporting: Tomato.. Tomaato. Couscous is DERIVED from a grain, PERIOD. David said it right.
To Elisa: I'm pretty sure it was a typo. Not that serious.
It's not "cocina povera" but "cucina povera". Having said that, Italians do eat whole fish, game and offal.
http://casa-giardino.blogspot.com/2011/03/catch-of-day-and-its-not-fish.html
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I'll try making my mushroom risotto with Chianti instead of beef broth. Maybe 50-50?
Being from a large Italian-American family I do shake my head when my friends think Olive Garden or baked ziti is Italian cuisine. I've been eating peaches and wine for dessert since age 3 and buy lemons by the bushel. I recently made my own sausage with vermouth and orange zest.....killer on the grill.
I lived in Northern Italy for a year, and never saw a kiwi in the market. There were avocados, that were oddly never ripe. But there were so many mouthwatering options – pistachio nuts – from Iran – baby artichokes – melon with prosciutto and Parma ham, to drizzle with real balsalmico aceto – even to a vegetarian, that looked amazing. Compared to Italy, in America reality bites.... http://4initalia.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/reality-bites/
Couscous is not a "grain" - it is a pasta made from Semolina (grain), just like most other pastas.
I would have never thought about using couscous as a sort of dessert, but I will definitely have to give it a whirl!
Mi ha colpito!
I did not know that about Kiwi. I always figured they came from New Zealand or something. In my FACE!
The New Zealand nickname comes from the bird, not the fruit..........
Non Sequitur. Faulty! Faulty!