Why is Italian food so good

[hipslikecinderella]

It seems to be so far above most of the rest of europe.
I know pizza, pasta and ice cream became so popular in western culture partly due to Italian immigrants to the us, but other nations went there and their food didn't really hit the big time in the same way.

Grazie

I suppose part of it might be because both pasta and pizza are made with cheap, easily available ingredients so it waa easy for immigrants to set up a business.
Ice cream is just delicious so was bound to be popular.

I agree. I've been to Italy on holiday 4 years running and the food is second to none.

Pizza, pasta and icecream are treat food though. They don't necessarily represent the majority of Italian cuisine which is fairly plain in my experience.

Quality fresh ingredients cooked simply. Garlic. Olive oil. Very little reliance on processed shit.
Italian food is truly of the Gods!

I think their cheap/lunch food (pizza/pasta) is super popular but wouldn’t say it is so far above the rest of Europe. French food has made a pretty big impression globally, especially their pastries and desserts.

So far above in how wonderful it is, I mean, I agree it’s popular!

Grazie :)

Pasta is not a treat food, we had it daily in our diet when I was still in Italy. If you mean the pasta we eat around here, full of greasy sauces maybe it's true, but ours was quite simple.

Therw are lots of different recipes from all the regions, lots of ways to cook vegetables and fish.

Pizza isn't a treat food, its street food in Italu.

Maybe its personal but french 'posh' food is too rich for me. Their pizza/pasta equivalent is maybe croquet monsuier or crepes - ok but not earth shattering.
I also think maybe Italy's maritime links enabled lots of influences to be condensed into deliciousness.
Actually going to borrow a library book on the subject and salivate for days.

I agree pizza and pasta are treat food in Italy too but pasta is an everyday/staple food.

My dad has pasta for lunch 3/4 days a week with a simple tomato sauce or a little olive oil and chilli (much like people who take the same sandwich to work every day I guess)

Fancy pastas with creamy sauces/ mushrooms/seafood/ragu are more treat/Sunday lunch foods in Italy as well.

I agree.
Simple but delicious.

Sometimes pasta is also perfect with garlic, olive oil and spicy pepper.

@hipslikecinderella I’d say the every day equivalent is fresh baguette and cheeses with one of their wonderful but very reasonable local wines. Or chips and moules marinière, steak frites or bouillabaisse on the coast.

Other European food isn't as succesful?

Where do you think hamburgers originate from?

Or hot dogs (frankfurters). Doughnuts?

French fries? (although these are Belgian).

Some of it's down to umami - tomatoes and Parmesan both deliver that.

Glutamates (natural forms of msg) are very good at improving the mouthfeel and intensity of flavour in foods (umami). A lot of the basic ingredients of Italian food contains it. To wit:

Broccoli, mushrooms, peas, spinach, tomato (including all tomato products), grapes, raisins and sultanas, prunes and plums, salami, tasty cheeses (parmesan in particular), grape based wines and spirits.

Source: Friendly Food (RPAH Allergy Unit)
Much of the basic Mediterranean diet is very high in glutamates which tastes and feels good but also in salicylate acid which can be a stimulant in many people.

Cheese

Also, I'm not a big Jamie Oliver fan, but really enjoy that series when he and Gennaro go around different regions of Italy, chatting to locals, farmers, Nonnas who have cooked family recipes for a lifetime, etc and then does his own take on their dishes. Just delish!

This thread reminds me of why I like MN so much. I have never heard of umami before.
My love of pasta and pizza is not just my weak will power

I really miss the cheese, all my favourites are soft/fresh cheeses that don't travel well in the suitcase. And the fruit and veg is generally tastier (though not actually that much cheaper)

I've got to say though, that my English friends who enjoy cooking cook a much wider variety (eg, different cuisines) of foods than Italian people I know.

I find all mediterranean food to be delicious. Their sunny climate produces an abundance of good food.

It's so dull. Tell me about yet another way to put tomatoes, basil, and cheese together.

I have lived in Italy for over 20 years and it has just ruined other cooking for me. French seems too rich and too many flavours, others are too plain or too greasy. Italian is the only one that hits the mark!

It's so dull. Tell me about yet another way to put tomatoes, basil, and cheese together.
Why only 3 ingredients? I hardly ever eat cheese or basil.

Italian is definitely my least favourite: bland and boring.

Dickybow - I think you have been eating the wrong sort of Italian!