The Literary Antipasta Before Your Actual Antipasta*

How to Eat in Italy

I could have used this blog post before I left for Italy. It is one thing to eat as a tourist in Italy, but it is an entirely different thing to eat food prepared by an Italian.

The first thing you have to know is that what you see is not always what you get. The kitchen and the dining room are totally separate rooms in most Italian homes. You will likely never see the food that has been prepared until it is right in front of you.

Italian tables are small, you see. In America, for dinner the food is all out on the table. This is not the Italian way. They will keep food in the kitchen until the next course.

Some people have enough dishes for the world and will set out individual plates for every course. This is a pretty clear clue to Americans that there will be several rounds of food. But not everybody has that kind of dishware. Know that even if there are not several plates in front of you that there will be several courses. 

Yes, that's right: "courses." And this is how it goes:

Antipasta:

Bread, chips, cheese, slices of meat, etc.

When you see an empty table, you will be tempted to load up on antipasta. Faith is believing in things not seen. Remind yourself that food is coming later. If you don't believe in food to come, you will over eat.

Primi Piatti:

Pasta or Rice

You will likely not serve yourself. Whoever cooked the meal will dish out every serving for you. This will also worry you. Just remember that when she leaves the room to enter the kitchen to dish you up, that kitchen is full of more food. You do not have to load up on pasta. The literal meat of the meal is on its way.

Secondi Piatti:

Meat and Veggies

This is the part of the meal that looks most familiar to you. To us foreigners though, it feels like two meals in one; we always eat either pasta or meat not both. In the past, at this point in the meal my emotions went from happy to regretful. Don't be me. Have some foresight.

Dolce:

Dessert

Italian desserts are so good, I always wish I had saved more room for them.

Palate Cleanser:

Fruit

Yes, Italians will fully expect you to eat some fruit after a perfectly good meal such as this one.

Now you know more than I did! Have fun eating the some of the best dishes in the world.

If you're looking to avoid a Pasta Pancha (a belly), while you're being gastronomically spoiled like this, good luck! I have some tips for you:

1. Drink lots of water.
As soon as you sit down, start drinking. It will help you feel full sooner.

2. Stay on pace with everyone else at the table.
With so many courses, the hostess will want to make sure everyone is eating at the same time, and nobody is not getting enough. So, if you finish one course before everyone else, she will give you a second helping. Yes, she will serve it to you and decide your portion. To avoid this, do not eat faster than the slowest eater. Chat as you eat! That will help.

3. Memorize the phrase: "Sono aposto."
This means, I am fine. Always compliment the chef throughout the meal. If you're constantly giving compliments, the chef won't realize how little your portions are. But if you are only eating one helping of every course and not complimenting her, she will notice and offer you other food options.

At the end of the day though, if you gain weight, who cares? You'll be the happiest you've ever been eating the most delicious foods in the world.