Italian Foodways and Cultural identity
Abstract
What American feed on today did not originate in America but is a combination of various culinary traditional food ways. Most of the well-known food stuffs, ingredients, procedure and specific styles of preparation and presentation have been contributed by various ethnicities over the years. Some food ways became extinct while others survived the test of time and went to become popular. They interacted with the American environment and were shaped by it to create unique tastes. (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
Italian American dishes have a very extensive history in homes, shops and restaurants in the United States. For most immigrants hunger in their countries was the main reason they moved from their former countries. Therefore the food ways that these immigrants and their ancestors came with to America were meant to maintain their cultural heritage and identity but it was also meant to serve as marker of progress and assimilation. (Moyer-Nocchi, 2015).
Introduction
One does not need to belong to a certain ethnic group for them to be able to enjoy the meal of a different ethnic group. Different cultures have different food ways that distinguish them from other cultures .Food ways refers to foods which are preferred by various ethnic groups. Food ways can be looked in terms of the culture, economic and the social practices that influence the way the food is cooked, preserved and consumed by the ethnic groups. This paper will discuss the food ways of the Italian American people and its effects on the American society. It will also explore the various ways that American use food to socialize with each other in different public places. . (Moyer-Nocchi, 2015).
How American food ways were introduced in America
Italian foods are consumed very often than any other foods in America. In fact they are very common that Italian authorities raised a concern over the rise of fake Italian food ingredients. According to a study, original Italian edible foodstuffs make up a third of Italian foods in America. The remaining are edibles that have Italian names but cannot be said to be real Italian food products. (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
Italian foods are normally considered as cuisines in America .Their style of cooking has been accepted and practiced in major towns of America ever since the Italian stepped onto American soils. The Italian American cuisine is Part and parcel of the American diets. Although popular dishes such as pizza, and pasta which the majority of people think that they are Italian have evolved over time and they are very different from the previous dishes from which they were derived their original form. (Parks, 2014).
Real Italian food items are usually available at specific stores that have dedicated their time and efforts to make the unique food stuffs. The food stores are located in areas with huge population numbers of Italian Americans. Italian foods. Italians Americans claims that the standards such as freshness, expense and time needed to export the food ingredients have reduced authentic Italian foods in the American food market. (Parks, 2014).
Most foods that are considered American, originated were created from Italian food ways. Popular food dishes such as muffuletta sandwich common in New Orleans and the Philly cheese steak have Italian cuisines. However food that is considered Italian in today’s American society are nothing like their Italian counterparts, common in Italy. They differ in ingredients used and style that was used to cook them. For example pasta and pizzas are two Italian foods that have been enjoyed by Italians over a long period of time in Italy but thy completely differed with their Italian counterparts. . (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
It is a said that Italian food came into America in the late 19th century as the Italians moved and settled in America. The large droves of Italian immigrants passed through Elis Island and moved further west but they maintained their traditional identities through the way their prepared their foods. . (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
Chicken Tetrazzini is one of the earliest Italian foods that is popular today. It came into being in 1900 to honor Luisa Tetrazzini .Muffuletta sandwich was first baked in Sicily in 1906 and was meant for Sicilian employees. Philly cheese was also conceived by an Italian. . (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
Italian American soldiers who fought in the World War II brought with them various types of foods that they enjoyed during the war. Immigrants who had an eye for investment started restaurants which could cater for the needs of other soldiers. Soon enough, families of the soldiers started to consume the food in plenty and Italian food became more popular .Spaghetti, meatball sausages and lasagna are some of the edibles which the soldiers introduced to their families. (Parks, 2014).
During the 1950s and 1960s Italian food was becoming very common in American homes. It formed part of their diet and delicacy .Salami, capollo and pepperoni are some of the Italian foods that became popular during that period. Through the 1970s and 1980s Italian inspired meals became very common in America and its regions. Eggplants parnigiana and shrimp scampi are some of the foods that were common during the 1980s and 1970s. (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
The 1990s saw an increase in the Italian diets and ingredients such as mozzarella di bufalla, ricotta and different types of pizzas. They came in different sizes shapes and colors. Presently the 21st century has brought with it emergence of different types of Italian foods. More attention has been placed on frittata Panini and arancini among other foods. (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
Most types of foods emerging now are not strange and well known to the American public before they became popular among majority people. When Italians migrated into America they brought with them recipes and the American public has grown up with them. Some of foods have formed family meals in many homes over the passing years and they have been slowly embraced and adapted. Italian diets have been accepted and influenced the manner and direction in which Americans food culture has taken. One of the evidence of these is seen through the supermarkets. Their shelves are filled with Italian foods such as pasta, pizza of various types and Italian influenced dishes. . (Moyer-Nocchi, 2015).
Culture and food identity
One of the most notable customs of the Italian Americans customs is Sunday evening meal. In any Italian American family Sunday dinner is made up of the entire immediate family members congregating around a variety of dishes, conversing about events, sharing experiences and busking in the warmth of having a loving family. There are largely four courses that make up Italian American foods i.e. antipasto which serves as an appetizer .primi piatti is the first course. Secondi piatti is referred as the second course.Dolci is usually served as the dessert. In between the first and the second course meal family members relax while conversing with each other and ending children in playing. Family meals are connected to different rituals and customs that help the Italians to relate food they eat with ceremonies. Hence food eaten will match the occasion or customs that they want to observe. To elaborate further, there are some delicacies that are only eaten at weddings and some will be only be consumed in funerals. Some rare meals are considered a taboo and help to keep the Italian Americans in check as they observe their morals and laws within their society. . (Moyer-Nocchi, 2015).
Italian American immediate and extended family including uncles, nephews and nieces can flock a grandparents houses to socialize and this is easily done over a meal. Every week when Italians in America have evening meals they take part in customs that is popularly known among them and that is-appreciating families and unity among members. In the research of food ways .or the crossroad between food and culture, the family does not just gather for the purpose of eating and drinking but also engages in rituals meant to unify the family and improve their family bonds. Family and commemorations of togetherness are some of the factors that contribute to Italian American identification. . (Moyer-Nocchi, 2015).
Reasons why Italian at American home cooking was adapted in America
To understand how Italian dishes developed and as a way of cooking we must first look at the wider culture of domestic cooking during the 19th and 20th century. In the 19th century and the 20th century America and its economic underwent great changes. Once a country whose main activities revolved around agriculture, it industrialized to become one of the most industrialized countries in the world. As a result of the rapid industrialization and mechanization, cooking habits changed as they were ready available prepared and processed foods .What was one cooked from scratch could be bought in a container or gotten from the shelf of a supermarket. Increase in processed and already prepared foods affected the manner in which Americans prepared their foods. People preferred buying already cooked foods rather than prepare the foods themselves. . (Moyer-Nocchi, 2015).
Processed foods were also preferred due to the some economic and cultural changes that occurred at the time. Gender roles were changed as women were also employable and formed part of the workforce. Increased immigration into America. These reasons and trends had an effect on American food ways but also the Italian dishes were influenced by these trends and in turn molded them .This gave the opportunity for Italian American food ways to develop and become incorporated in America society. (Moyer-Nocchi, 2015).
Gender roles of women that made Italian American culture spread
Female immigrants played an important role in ensuring that their families and larger communities were well fed .Women managed to feed their families by buying, preparing and serving food. As culinary specialists Italian American women cooked for their families even when they had a tight budget. They passed these preparation methods to their children making their traditional cooking methods more Americanized .The women also combined different styles of cooking making their meals more modernized .Italian American women have been able to engage bringing up their families and passing onto their children cooking skills and other traditions which help to maintain their identity. . (Moyer-Nocchi, 2015).
Food and culture of the Italian Americans
In most societies people work all the five days of the week. Saturday can be a day to rest and Sunday food could be used to help people to socialize and discuss the past week, challenges they encountered during the week. Hence preparing and sharing food between families, relatives and friends has long been used by Italian Americans to solidify and strengthen their customs. Therefore food Italian Americans eats, assists them to develop an awareness of who they are, maintain their heritage and language through the social gathering within which they are able to practice speaking their languages and other types of customs. (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
Food is a vital part of the culture of Italian American people and other people. It is key in giving a specific ethnic their identity. In day to day life, individuals play several roles which influence who they are and the way in which they live their lives. These identities are also influenced by social an economic norms that are constructed around their lives. Some of the social norms are food ways that they come across their ethnic groups that influences foods that they are supposed to eat and foods that are to be avoided tall cost. (Harper& Faccioli, 2009).
Italian American restaurants in New York City
Italian American food has made great strides especially in Italian restaurants. New York City is the center of these restaurants .Italian restaurants are favorite to a lot of people. They offer Italian cuisines such as pizza and spaghetti and meat sauce .Italian meals although they have an Italian heritage they easily blend in and assume an American identity on their own without the influence of outside world. This has helped to make the foods more famous than other foods in America. Italians have assisted in shaping and influencing eating out and restaurant dining which is presently common in American diners. Centuries ago before the Italians arrived and influenced Americans way of eating, eating out was very rare for average Americans. When the Italians came into America, restaurants were not common practice. Even in New York City where restaurants line up around each abuilding and neighborhood. The restaurants that exited at the time were few and distance form each other. The few individuals who dined in them, were able to afford their high prices. Italian restaurants began emerging at the turn of the century. Their restaurants were cheaper and many people could dine in them. (Scarpellini, 2015).
The first very restaurants of the Italians were a product of domestic cooking which gave it an a competitive edge over other restaurants such the French restaurants .The Italians also served plenty of food and anyone could get in their restaurants. (Scarpellini, 2015).
The first eats outs on American borders were protorestarauants designed to cater for the requirements of single, working men. They were located on the ground floors of boarding buildings. Where most of the men lived. These protorestatarants would then evolve into among the first Italian restaurants in the United States. They sold home cooked Italian foods that would be served to men. These are some of the reasons why Italian foods still is common among Americans to this very day and age. As families immigrated into America, they became would occasionally dine out in the Italian restaurants .some of the families were not Italians but this was very rare. But this changed over time and Italian foods were adapted into American families’ diets. (Samuel, 2016).
Role of Italian American food ways In America
The Italian food ways have diversified menus by adding to the existing food variety that existed before its arrival. Italian food is of very high nutrient content. The dishes have assisted the American public with more choice from which they can pick from to decide from. Italian food consist of healthy components that have helped to keep the American society healthy over the years since they are home cooked and do not need any preservatives therefore provide a healthy alternative to the many individuals. (Scarpellini, 2015).
Italian Americans are one among many American immigrants that retained their culinary customs that lasted for many years after they assimilated into the American society. Preparing food and sharing it with people is a common culture among the Italian Americans. These culture has infected other parts of the American society as eating in restaurants was not a common among Americans. These has built a more cohesive society. (Scarpellini, 2015).
Conclusion
There have been a lot of businesses that have capitalized on Italian food and recipes to bring customers and to curve out an image that will attract them with more customers. Since a lot of people consume Italian food it is easy to attract potential customers by offering foods and services that have an Italian origin. (Scarpellini, 2015).
Creative people have come up with ways through which they can use Italian food ways to campaign against social issues such as rape an, murder and racism and also to come up with their own recipes which build up on the Italian food delicacies. (Scarpellini, 2015).
REFERENCES
Harper, D. A., & Faccioli, P. (2009). The Italian way: Food & social life.
Moyer-Nocchi, K. (2015). Chewing the fat: An oral history of Italian foodways from fascism to dolce vita
Parks, T. (2014). Italian ways: On and off the rails from Milan to Palermo.
Scarpellini, E. (2015). Food and Foodways in Italy from 1861 to the Present.
Samuel E.Biagioni. (2016).Homemade Italianita: Italian Foodways.
