So, when I heard Italian meals described in my Italian classes, I kinda brushed it off. That many courses? That much food? Well, this past weekend for Easter, I went with my host family to their family's Easter get together. There was so much food. I don't know how I ate that much.
The line up:
Antipasto (appetizer) - Some chic platter with cuttlefish eggs (surprisingly tasty), mussels, squid, shrimp, and polenta
First course (pasta/rice course) - Meat-filled tortellini in broth (the only course I skipped because, hey, kinda sorta vegetarian)
Second course (meat course) - Giant shrimp and crayfish with spaghetti noodles
Third course (veggie course) - Octopus (suckers and all) with potatoes, peas, carrots, two types of radicchio, spinach, and zucchini
Cheese (um...cheese) - It was offered, but no one took the hostess up on it, because SO MUCH FOOD
Fruit -Macedonia
Sweet - sorbetto (which is drunk from a sort of champagne glass; which can be alcoholic or not; which was so tasty I had two of them); tiramisu (deliciousness); Colombo, a traditional Easter cake (usually it's filled with almonds and candied fruit and is covered in powered sugar; however, you can get many kinds; I saw a dark chocolate and Grand Marnier one at the grocery store and it looked glorious)
Coffee - by which I mean "espresso," not "American coffee"; taken with sugar, if desired
Liquor- a shot of amaretto, limoncello, or grappa, depending on tastes (this, obviously, depends on the host/family)
It was all very delicious, but oof. So much food.
Eating notes: People eat continental style here. Eating utensils do not switch hands, as the Americans do. In informal settings, the fork can be in the dominant hand. However, with something a bit more proper (like this), the knife is in the dominant hand like in an etiquette guide. This has been one of the more difficult things I have had to learn how to do here.
Also: elbows on the table. Really. Hands and elbows on the table at all times. It's a thing.
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