"Italian" Foods You Won't Find In Italy

People always ask me: how can Italians eat pasta and pizza all day and not gain weight? Well, the answer may not be what you think. 

We all dream of going to Italy one day. Images of heaping plates of spaghetti and meatballs, not to mention garlic bread with loads of melted cheese. I mean, who wouldn’t love to eat that all day. Well, I have a little secret for you. You may think that traveling to the land of carbohydrates, that this is what your meals will consist of, but in fact, they will not. Although some parts of these meals may have originated in Italy, most have been developed in the American Italian culture. So today I want to share some popular “Italian” foods you WON’T find in Italy.  

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Let’s start out with a classic….or so we thought. Thanks to the Lady and the Tramp, this is a known Italian menu staple, but in Italy, you definitely won’t find it on the menu. Meatballs are served as their own course and often as an appetizer. Spaghetti with marinara sauce, or as Tony Soprano calls it “the gravy” is not a classic Italian recipe either. Instead, you would need to order spaghetti al pomodoro and this would be tossed in a light tomato-based sauce, also consisting of olive oil. 

Chicken Alfredo

While we are on the topic of pasta, who doesn’t love a creamy alfredo sauce with chicken. Although you may think it’s delicious, this is also something that you won’t be able to find in Italy. As with spaghetti and meatballs, Italians don’t mix the meat in their pasta. Pasta is their first course and the chicken would be their second. As far as the alfredo sauce, the only Italy where you will be able to order this, is in Little Italy, in New York City. Cream is not used in sauces in Italy. 

Chicken Parm

Yup, you got it! No chicken or veal parm will be found in Italy. However, if you are looking for something “parm”, try a Southern Italian favourite - eggplant parmigiana. Made similarly, it consists of thin slices of eggplant, breaded, fried, and then layered with tomato sauce and parmesan cheese. But don’t forget, it will be served as is, not on a plate of pasta. 

Garlic Bread

I know, I know. You might be slightly disappointed. Who doesn’t want toasted bread, layered with garlic butter and topped with melted cheese? But most Italians would find this offensive. Instead, try toasted slices of fresh homemade bread, toasted, rubbed with fresh garlic, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with fresh tomatoes. Yup, you got it - in Italy, they call it bruschetta. 

Italian Salad Dressing

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. In Italy salads are drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a splash of wine vinegar - that’s all! 

Caesar Salad

This one always makes me chuckle. Found on almost ALL Italian restaurant menus in North America, this classic was created by an Italian American named Caesar, who lived in Mexico. Try ordering a caesar salad in Italy and you will definitely get a confused look. 

Mozzarella Sticks

Now, we all know Italians like cheese, but these deep-fried bites’ only link to Italy is exactly that, the use of a classic Italian cheese. 

Now, I’m not saying any of the above dishes cannot or should not be enjoyed. My point here is that these dishes are not something you will find if you are visiting Italy. If you are looking at versions that will not expand your waste line, are very flavourful, and offer much more nutritional value, stick to the authentic Italian foods, and may only visit the Olive Garden as a treat.