No doubt about it, Italian cuisine is rich in flavor, and restaurants that offer it have been springing up everywhere. You may even be craving for something "Italian" every now and then (what a dream it is to swim in deep dishes of spaghetti and meatballs!), but did you know that the following foods are not actually of Italian origin? Check out this list of the top 5 non-Italian foods!
1. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Totally Italian, right? Wrong. This delectable dish was actually invented in America, and Italians would rather eat served meatballs (or "polpette") separately. According to the memoirs of a Sicilian named Niccolo' de Quattrociocchi, he discovered two "very fine, traditional American specialties" for the first time while dining in an Italian restaurant in New York in the early 20th century. And yes, spaghetti and meatballs was one of those.
2. Garlic Bread
Nope, you don't have to smell like garlic every time you try to whip up something "Italian". (Same goes for onions.) Italian dishes are, in reality, light on these two. And in the land where olive oil is widely used, dipping your bread in butter is a strange thing to do. Instead, they have bruschetta al pomodoro, toasted bread served with a slight (SLIGHT!) amount of garlic and topped with loads of fresh tomato. And it's served as an antipasto or a snack, not with your dinner or main course.
3. Fetuccine Alfredo
Just when you thought you're serving authentic Italian pastas for your family and friends with that wonderfully creamy Alfredo, this particular dish was actually created by a chef named Alfredo (for a restaurant of the same name) in the 1920's to please the American palate. Italians aren't exactly fans of heavy cream on their pastas, plus there's also the issue of using butter. In fact, the original pasta carbonara recipe does not have a hint of cream on it.
4. Pepperoni Pizzas
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the word peperoni (spelled with one "p", but pronounced the same) refers to peppers, not salamis. And authentic Italian pizzas are served with far less cheese, and they certainly do not come in cheese-filled crusts. However, you will find these pizzas served with anchovies, sausages, corn, potato slices... but no pepperoni as we understand it.
5. "Italian" salad dressing
This flavorful salad dressing loaded with tons of bell pepper and herbs is a staple in many American restaurants. However, you may not find it as easily when you visit its supposed country of origin. The salads in Italy are almost exclusively dressed In oil and vinegar, and sometimes, just oil.