Help me settle a debate with dh regarding pasta the Italian way

[boo64]

One of us thinks that Italians don't usually serve vegetables on the side with a pasta meal. The other thinks that they would put a side dish of boiled veg out with the pasta and sauce.

Who is right?

I've been to Italy quite a few times (only one specific region - Campania) and have never had pasta with vegetables on the side. I've ordered salads on the side, but they don't come as standard, IFSWIM. However a)I was a tourist (different rules?) and b)maybe it's different up North!

My auntie is Italian and she has never served vegetables on the side with pasta.

Not to say that other Italians wouldn't though!

Even if there were no veggies in the pasta sauce?

I've travelled through itally to some of the most remote parts.

I have NEVER had vegies with pasta. Even when there is no vegetables in the sauce.

The just don't serve their food that way, in my experience.

Who own the debate?

No, you have your pasta, which is a first course, and then your veg as part of the second course with either meat or fish. Even if you just have a side salad it's usually served after you've eaten the pasta, unless you specify you want all at once.

I live in Italy btw.

I won - yay!!!!!
I didn't want dh to be able to claim I prejudiced your answers by saying which of us thought what - he'd think all the mums on here were ganging up on him!

brangelina's right. my dad's italian and even if there's salad/veg on the table he'll eat all his pasta, get a fresh plate and then eat the salad.

Living in malta, very lose to italy, obv.
I can't believe how good pasta can taste with just the most simplest ingredients added - spaphetti with a bit of oil and herbs for example.
I don't think there is any way italians would serve anything on the side tbh