It's Columbus Day here in the States. it;s the day we celebrate the founding of America by Christopher Columbus. it;s also a day when Italian Americans can feel a surge of pride over Italian accomplishments for the past 4000 years.
To me it's a day to also celebrate being NorthernItalian and the contributions we've made, especially in food (not to mention in design , fashion, and Carla Bruni all from mygreat grandparents' native Piedmonte). The North has given the world French cuisine(it came when Caterina de Medici married) Henri II of France. We also gave the world that great dish bagna calda, polenta and risotto. This is refined, elegant cooking, different from the heartier dishes of Southern Italy. the sauces are similar to beurre blanc and the main ingredient is butter and not olive oil. The food is artisanal coming from the best farms throughout Piedmonte and Lombardy along with Trente Aldige, Friuli Emilia Romana, and of course Veneto.
The south has some good dishes as well. Naples is known for it;s seafood and pastas as is the rest of Southern Italy. Pizza was born in the South and spread slowly up north in the 1960's. The Southerners are also known for their lush pastries, filled with ricotta. and citrus flavorings. Of course gelati is the dessert of the day no matter where you go in Italy.
This is a day to celebrate Italy but celebrate its' rich cuisine too. It has been the most influential in all the world, simply because it is good. it ranks right up there with Italian design and fashion, movie making and car manufacturing.
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