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Italian food is considered one of the world's great cuisines. It is also one of the most famous, everyone knows and can probably prepare a decent pasta dish. With its emphasis on fresh produce such as olive oil, fruit, vegetables and fish, it is also one of the healthiest in Europe. Italy is known for the fact that few suffer cardiac problems, cholesterol and only lately are they counted among the nations that suffer obesity. It is also one of the most varied and richest cuisines that exist with every region and there are 20 of them having their own specialities. Every Italian believes that Italian food is the best in the world and no one can cook it like mamma and they could be right. Food is treated like a part of the family, they talk to the food while cooking. Could this be the secret? Meals can last forever, starting with an antipasto, followed by a first course of rice or pasta, continuing with a fish or meat course, then cheese, and then fruit and finally coffee. Even everyday meals are a smaller version of the that described above and less so the further south you go. The main characteristic of Italian cooking is its healthy balance, the excellent basic ingredients being simply cooked and retaining their original goodness and freshness. Simple and yet with such a variety of flavors and rich inventiveness in preparation, that even the most demanding gourmet is delighted. Supermarkets are still trying to make inroads as the local and specialized shops still hold on. Italian breakfast is quite different from American or English. Colazione is the continental type consisting of cappuccino (coffee and steamed milk) and a brioche (sweet croissant). Lunch (Pranzo) consists of antipasto (starter) a primo piatto (pasta, rice or soup), a secondo piatto (meat or fish) with contorno (vegetable or salad), then frutta ( fresh fruit). Finish with espresso and maybe a grappa or amaro (strong digestive liqueur) although they now tend to be cut down versions. Dinner (Cena) is similar to lunch. Nowadays there is a tendency of having a light lunch, then dinner becomes the major meal. |