Page 13 - Italian-American Herald - December 2024

ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
DECEMBER 2024 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 13
CUISINE AND CULTURE
Over time, Americans added heavy cream,
defi nitely cheaper than parmigiano in the
United States, creating a richer sauce that
appealed to American tastes, and was also
more economical.
Similarly, chicken parmigiana offers a
twist on Italy’s parmigiana di melanzane, a
classic eggplant-based recipe. In the United
States, chicken was often more accessible
and affordable than eggplants, leading
Italian immigrants to adapt this classic into a
chicken-based version that has since become
a staple in Italian-American dining. Speaking
of staples of Italian-American cuisine, we
can’t forget “spaghetti and meatballs,” which,
to the dismay of Italian Americans, is not
common at all in Italy, where spaghetti and
meatballs (polpette) are rigorously eaten
separately (if you haven’t watched the fi lm
“Big Night” with Stanley Tucci, please do so!).
Both spaghetti and polpette were very dear
to Italian immigrants in America; however,
because of the faster-paced lifestyle and less
fl exible work schedules, immigrants found
that combining large meatballs with pasta
made for a fi lling, economical and quick
one-dish adaptation, well-suited to feeding
families in the United States.
These examples illustrate that Italian
food culture really is an intricate expression
of Italy’s history, geography and social
fabric, both in its homeland and in its
adaptations abroad. From medieval city
markets that propelled regional specialties
into international fame to the communal
experience of dining and the adaptations
from and to other cultures, Italian cuisine
embodies centuries of commercial and
cultural exchange. The transnational
encounters that have shaped it, along with
its evolution into distinct diasporic cuisines,
underscore the dynamic interplay between
almost sacred tradition and continuous
innovation. It is no wonder that Italian
cuisine continues to captivate food lovers
across the globe. Its enduring appeal lies
not only in the fl avors themselves but in the
profound historical and cultural narratives
that infuse each dish, making every meal
a celebration of Italian heritage and the
pleasure of life. IAH
Alessandra Mirra, a native of Rome, Italy,
received a Ph.D. in Italian Studies from the
University of Pennsylvania. She is coordinator
of the Italian program at Rowan University in
Glassboro, N.J., where she teaches courses in
Italian language, culture and literature. Her
publications revolve mostly around modern
and contemporary Italian literature as well as
Italian cinema and adaptation studies.
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