Do you plan to master the art of pasta? A simple habit at the table could well make any Italian jump … and you have surely already done it without knowing it.
Each country has its own culinary habits. And, these small traditions in cooking may seem surprising for tourists. Italy is no exception to the rule. When it comes to pastaour Italian neighbors are not kidding.
An innocent gesture that makes Italy tremble
We have all already had this reflex: the pasta arrives, smoking, and we go out without further delay the Parmesan. But beware, if your dish contains salmon, shrimp or any other fish, It is not advised! According to Current kitchenfor Italians, this mixture is simply heresy. As the local culinary adage reminds us: “Cheese and fish do not mix well”.
In a restaurant in Naples or Rome, if you dare to ask for parmesan for your linguine to clamsyou risk seeing the server chatter or worse, politely refuse with a little tense smile.
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Parmesan? Not on all pasta
The error often comes from a Typically French reflex : To think that cheese is always a plus. But in Italy, The delicate taste of fish must remain the star of the dish. Parmesan, it is Too strong, too present And it crushes the other flavors of the dish.
“He is tempting to sprinkle all his pasta dishes a few parmesan grated to add character to the plate. But Do not agree to ask Parmesan for your salmon pasta […] : The server could never recover! “can we read in the article.
And while we are there: Ketchup pasta are also prohibited from stay in Italy. Indeed, Italian children are not entitled to it!
When pasta becomes a religion
This rejection of parmesan on fish is only one rule among many others. There, pasta is an institution. We don’t like it with the AL dente cookingthe sauce must cover the pasta (thank you the method spadellata) et The spoon + knife combo is banished at the table. So, if you land in Italy with your French habits, you risk the diplomatic crisis.
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But don’t panic! Following the rules is also rediscover the real flavors. And when you taste a perfectly executed dish, without cream in the carbonara, without cheese on seafood, we immediately understand that Respect for traditions is good.
So the next time you prepare spaghetti with clams, Leave Parmesan in the fridge. Your taste buds (and the Italians) will be delighted.
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Cuisine editor
After more than ten years in the food industry as a publishing manager, I continue to share what I like most through writing: cooking! Fascinated …
