Italian ‘special occasion’ meals at home or in a restaurant

April 11, 11:02 PMItalian Living ExaminerSerenella Leoni

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In Italy, both Easter and Passover are celebrated. Most families celebrate together or with friends at home and some a few go to restaurants. This year more than ever, friends are opening their doors to those who would welcome an invitation and a chance to share a meal and a few laughs.

If you want to celebrate like the Italians, I am outlining for you all the different coursed in a formal or holiday meal. You can go whole hog or pick and choose what suits you”

Names and sequence of courses in a meal in Tuscany: At a restaurant, or at home for special occasions, Italians meals flow in this order:

• Aperitivi: These drinks before dinner can include numerous concoctions as well as ancient blends with herb bitters (like Campari) believed to “ready“ your stomach and for a meal. There are also non-alcoholic aperitivi called analcolici (can be red rosso or white bianco). Often aperitivi are accompanied by nuts, crackers, olives, chips, tiny sandwiches or small chunks of Parmigiano. You see many Italians at the bar/caffe before dinner having an aperitivo with friends or business colleagues.
• Antipasti: In Tuscany, these appetizers may include crostini, bruschette, salumi, antipasto di mare, antipasto di terra, carpaccio, and others.
• Primi: These first courses include any pasta dish or soup. Generally, it is frowned upon to eat bread with a primo.
• Secondi: The main dishes are many and can include anything with fish, meat, poultry or vegetarian or vegan offerings (these last two are usually on special request and most restaurants will accommodate you).
• Contorni: The side dishes include many different types of vegetables, legumes (very often bean dishes in Tuscany) and salads*.
  • *Special note on Insalata: Salads (lettuces or mixed lettuce salads) are considered a side dish and eaten along with the main course in Italy. They are not ordered at the beginning of a meal except by tourists.These salads come without dressing. You are expected to use the salt, pepper, fresh e.v.o.o., and red wine vinegar on the table.
• Dolci or Formaggi: Desserts can be sweet desserts or cheese with fruit (usually the case in Italian homes as cakes are reserved for special occasions). Dolci (desserts) include cakes, tarts, pastries, biscotti, semi-freddi (a mix of cake and gelato), gelati and sorbetti
• Caffé and Digestivi: Meals usually end with Un caffé (espresso) that can be ordered in an amazing number of ways (more of that in another installment). Cappuccino is considered a breakfast drink as is caffé-latte. (By the way, if you order a latte in Italy, you will be given a glass of milk as latte=milk.) Italians drink cappuccino until 10 or 11 am. After that, it’s caffe (espresso).
• After your coffee, it is also customary to have a digestivo. As the name implies, these drinks are purported to aid in the digestion of the gargantuan meal you can’t believe you just consumed. Digestivi can include various liqueurs (such as limoncello), and distilled drinks (like grappa). Beware as some of these are very strong.

And for the bravest among you, try a Fernet Branca. This ancient medicinal recipe is top secret, includes 40 herbs and spices and is very bitter. It is dark brown and 40% alcohol in volume. It was historically used to cure ailments from gastro-intestinal pain and hangovers to cholera. Many Italians in their 90s still swear by it so who are we to doubt these claims?

For more info: serenella@toscanamia.biz