"Italian" Foods That Aren't Really Italian

Italian cuisine is beloved worldwide for its simplicity, quality ingredients, and rustic flavors. From classic pasta dishes to wood-fired pizza, Italian food is undoubtedly a favorite for many. However, not all Italian dishes are as "Italian" as we might think. Some foods we associate with Italy actually have roots that trace back to other countries, cultures, or even continents. Here are five "Italian" foods that aren't really Italian.\r \r 1. Caesar Salad\r \r There is an ongoing debate about the origin of the delicious salad, but one thing is certain: it is not Italian. According to most culinary historians, the authentic version can be credited to Caesar Cardini. After World War I, Caesar Cardini and his brother Alessandro moved from Milan to San Diego and opened a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. Their signature salad, based on Parmesan cheese and croutons, became very popular among Hollywood celebrities and somehow earned a reputation for being an authentic Italian dish. However, the salad's true roots lie in Tijuana, not Italy.\r \r 2. Pasta Primavera\r \r Although it may sound like an Italian dish, pasta primavera actually originated in the early 1970s at Le Cirque NYC, one of the finest restaurants in the international haute cuisine scene. The dish was born when Sirio Maccioni, the founder of Le Cirque, and Jean Vergnes, a classically trained French chef and co-founder of the restaurant, visited artist Edward Giobbi and were fascinated by his combination of vegetables and pasta. Vergnes shared the concept with fellow French chef Jean Louis, who suggested using fresh vegetables such as asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, and string beans. He also recommended making it more French by adding pea pods and a creamy butter sauce. Maccioni added an Italian touch to the recipe by serving it with basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. Thus, pasta primavera was born!\r \r 3. Garlic Bread\r \r Contrary to what some marketers claim, French bread slathered with butter and seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and dried herbs is not an Italian tradition. Garlic bread is merely a commercial American rendition of the classic bruschetta. In Italy, farmers celebrate the olive harvest by toasting a thick slice of rustic bread over an open flame, rubbing it with a clove of garlic while still hot, and brushing it with fresh olive oil on both sides. A sprinkle of salt, and voila! The bruschetta is ready. This is the classic recipe, but variations are abundant, such as bruschetta al pomodoro e basilico (with chopped tomatoes and fresh basil), bruschetta ai peperoni (with peppers), bruschetta con melanzane (with eggplants), and more. \r \r 4. Pepperoni Pizza\r \r Pepperoni pizza is one of the most popular pizza toppings in the world, but it is not actually Italian. The word "pepperoni" is derived from the Italian word "peperoni," which means "bell peppers," but the pizza topping we know as pepperoni is a purely American creation. Pepperoni is a type of salami that is made from beef and pork and seasoned with spices like paprika, garlic, and fennel. It was first created in the United States by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century, and it quickly became a popular pizza topping. Today, pepperoni pizza is a ubiquitous menu item in pizzerias across the United States and beyond.\r \r 5. Chicken Parmesan \r \r Despite its Italian name, Chicken Parmesan is actually an American creation, much like the hot dog. Authentic Italian cuisine does not typically combine pasta and chicken in the same dish, as they are traditionally served as separate courses. Interestingly, chicken was not a commonly consumed meat in Italy until the recent increase in poultry production. In fact, according to a 1956 report from the Italian National Union of Aviculture, the average Italian consumed less than 5 pounds of poultry per year at the time. As a result of this lack of familiarity with cooking poultry, many Italian immigrants in America had to adapt their culinary traditions to the ingredients that were available. Thus, the classic Italian dish of eggplant Parmesan served as inspiration for Chicken Parmesan, and it quickly became a beloved American staple.