When Italian cuisine is mentioned people world wide think of pizza, lasagna and pasta but Italian cuisine is far more complicated than all this especially depending on the region.
In some regions instead of seafood you may find lamb and for pasta there may be risotto. Italian cooking is supposed to be a lengthy procedure. A classic Italian serving would begin with antipasto followed by a risotto or soup which will be followed by dish of meat or a vegetable. Then there may be salad and a desert at the end.
Even at home you can try some healthy Italian recipes as they make use of the staples which are considered the healthiest foods on their menus.
Some of them are:
Tomatoes
Tomato is the core ingredient in Italian cooking. You can find them in sauce or soups. Sun-dried or fresh, tomatoes are almost used in every dish. Tomatoes are better digested in our body when they are eaten cooked with a little amount of oil.
Tomatoes are very rich in vitamins C, A and K. It acts as an antioxidant and has cancer-fighting properties. It also has Lycopene which protects our cells from oxygen damage and protects against heart disease.
Oregano
Oregano is widely used either fresh or dry in sauces, soups, vegetables and pizzas for its warm, strong and sweet-smelling flavor. Oregano has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It contains thymol and carvacrol and is rich in phytonutrients.
Garlic
Garlic is used in almost all Italian dishes especially Italian dishes like pizza, sauces. It is sometimes rubbed onto bread, or also served marinated with olives. Garlic belongs to the family of onion and has many medicinal properties.
Garlic helps in maintaining the blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, and also prevents heart attack and stroke. It is also considered antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory and regulates sugar level and helps in weight loss.
Olives and Olive Oil
People have been using olives for some 7,000 years or so and used in many of the Italian dishes like salads and antipasto. Olive oil is extensively used in every meal. Olives come in different varieties and flavors and are sometimes compared to fine wines.
Olives reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and increase HDL as it is full of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. It also acts as an antioxidant and helps fight cancer and heart disease and also reduce inflammation.
Related Post
Different Types of Italian Wines
[...] Post Staples of Italian Cooking Share and [...]