Italy

Climate & Geography Culture Economy Religion Cuisine –Protein –Fruits & Vegetables –Grains

Geography Italy- many islands and a boot-shaped peninsula 2 largest islands –Sicily –Sardinia Mountainous land –Italian Alps in Northern Italy –Apennines (central Italy) divides peninsula in half Many volcanoes located in the southern Apennines –Mount Vesuvius (destroyed the city of Pompeii)

Geography Northern Italy –Great beauty and rich land –Large % of industrial output –Po Valley Located between the Alps and the Apennines Rich agricultural area Only large lowland in Italy Most productive farming area in the country Central Italy –Mountainous and hilly –Grain, grapes and olives grow on terraced hills –Rome & Florence (Rome is Italy’s capital) Southern Italy –Poorest region in natural resources –Naples is Italy’s 2 nd busiest seaport

Climate Much of Italy has a Mediterranean climate –Summer- sunny and dry (rainfall in winter) In the North –Rain at any time –Temperatures are cooler

Culture (Past) Influences on Italian Culture –The Etruscans & the Greeks 2 most powerful peoples in early Italy Etruscans- developed a refined society in Northern & Central Italy Greeks- colonized Southern Italy & Sicily –Beautiful temples and palaces still remain –The Roman Empire Latin's made Rome the capital Rome prospered and soon ruled Europe, No. Africa & Western Asia The Romans built their cities and surrounding area Fall of Western Roman Empire- Emperor Constantine moved capital to Constantinople –The Roman Catholic Church Church was governmental 5 th century- Bishop of Rome became the Pope 14 th century- Renaissance began –Arts, literature and science »Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Galileo

Culture (Modern) Republican form of Government Aligned w/ nations of the western world Industrial & agricultural growth Lives of the poor are improving

Economy Agriculture –½ of land is farming –Po River Valley Northern Italy –Wheat, corn, rice, sugar beets (alt. to cane) –Largest cheese-producing region Southern Italy –Olive trees Industrial Output (Northern Italy) –Steel and textiles Wine Industry –Vineyards throughout country –Red, white & sparkling wine for domestic & export use

Lifestyle Fine Arts –Great respect for the fine arts –Paintings, sculptures and architectural works Conversation –Popular pastime –Food –Card games Church –Roman Catholics –Catholicism is taught in the public schools Activities –Tennis, soccer, water polo

Holidays Carnevale –Celebration preceding Lent –Costumes & masks, parades and balls Pasque (Easter) –Foods Cakes and breads in the shape of doves Lamb- symbolizes spring Eggs- symbolize life Wheat- resurrection of Christ Harvest festivals –Late summer and early fall –Gatherings of important food

Holidays Olive Festival –Farmers and workers feats on pasta, olives and wine Fishing Festival –Eat seafood barbequed along the shore Festa de Morti (All Souls day) –Pay respect to relatives who have passed on –Leave food out in their kitchen for the souls Christmas –Baboo Natale- Father Christmas –No meat on Christmas Eve

Cuisine History –Greeks Romans paid high prices for Greek chefs –Good food was a status symbol –Credit given to Catherine De Medici for bringing her cooks to the French

Cuisine Characteristics –High quality ingredients –Shop daily –Stock kitchens with herbs, spices and seasonings –Commonly used- garlic, cloves, celery, onions, shallots, vinegar, olives and lemon juice –Fresh fruits & vegetables –Top of range used (fuel is expensive to run oven)

Cuisine Staple Foods –Pasta Al dente Served in many different ways –Seafood –Rice Italy is Europe’s largest producer –Pork, lamb, veal & beef –Sausage, wild game and poultry

Cuisine Dairy Products –Cheese Parmesan, mozzarella, Romano, ricotta, provolone, Gorgonzola –Ice Cream Italian’s introduced ice cream to Europe

Cuisine Northern Italy –Soups –Stuffed pastas –Rich meat sauces –Mortadella Italian sausage (popular in US) –Risottos, gnocchi and polenta –Specialties Chicken cacciatore Minestrone soup Osso buco (braised veal shank)

Cuisine Central Italy –Spaghetti –Lambs –Cheesecake (made w/ ricotta cheese) –Cenci- deep fried pastry strips shaped like bows –Tuscany Home grown veggies, beans and charcoal grilled meats

Cuisine Southern Italy –Pasta w/ rich tomato sauces –Large tubular pastas –Lasagna –Spaghetti w/ clam sauce –Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese –Pizza- originated in Naples

Cuisine Italian Meals –Light breakfast –Hearty noon meal Largest meal of the day- eaten at home –Antipasto- appetizer Meats and vegetables –Soup –Main course w/ vegetable or salad –Fruit and cheese –Fancy desserts for special occasions

Menu Antipasto Chicken Cacciatore Homemade Pasta Penne (Italian Bread) Cenci (Deep-Fried Sweet Pastry)