Italian vs American Pasta
by Melanie Fellows
The Change Overseas
Typical Italian cooking stresses the importance of fresh, high-quality ingredients above all else. The kinds of cuisine varies depending on where in Italy you are; it differs from the south, the central area, the north, vastly in each region. Central Italy has Roman influences on cuisine, and lamb is a popular delicacy. Southern Italy has lots of different kinds of pasta and utilizes seafood. Northern Italy, the richest region, uses a lot of butter and cream in their dishes and sauces.
As Italian immigrants moved to America, and they came into a new world with new, different ingredients at their disposal, they incorporated their food knowledge from Italy and their dishes from back home took on a new American spin. For instance, red, meaty sauces were not nearly as common in Italy, as meat was an expensive luxury. With more at their disposal and for cheaper in America, they started to integrate it into familiar dishes.
Authentic Italian pasta is made by hand, and they tend to use cream sauces, not as much emphasis on meat and tomatoes as the Americanized counterpart.
Italian immigrants hard at work.
American pasta is usually made with a red, meaty sauce and noodles from a box. It's heavy, hearty, and comforting.