Italian cuisine is a type of gastronomy that incorporates the most well-known specialties of the Mediterranean diet with a subtle combination of ingredients and pasta that intertwine the traditional flavors of each region and its geographic location.
Across the internet and in many magazines dedicated to the gastronomic world, Italian cuisine has been the subject of debate and comparison with our Spanish cuisine. Both cuisines share similarities and differences, and in today’s article, we’ll uncover the main ones.
Typical Foreign Clichés
Many people worldwide often have the preconceived notion that Spain only offers paella and Italy only offers pizza. These types of opinions are especially common among tourists who don’t fully know the gastronomic heritage of each country.
Both dishes are very well-known specialties, and it’s inevitable that such associations arise due to a lack of knowledge. However, these are delicacies that can be found across Spain and Italy.
The Legacy of Italian Cuisine in Catalonia
Catalan cuisine shares many similarities with Italian cuisine, as during the Roman invasion, it was influenced by Italian cooking. Today, you can find very similar dishes, such as fideuá.
Fideuá is a well-known dish made with noodles and seafood, similar to spaghetti frutti di mare, as both are primarily composed of pasta.
A Competition of Rice Dishes
As previously mentioned, paella is one of the most well-known dishes in Spanish gastronomy. However, from the Italian perspective, there are similar rice dishes known as risottos, one of the specialties you can also find on our menu.
The Value of Ham
Iberian ham (Spain) and Parma ham (Italy) are two of the most prized delicacies among gourmets.
The main difference between these two types of ham is that Parma ham is often used as a standalone ingredient or as a pairing (with cheese or melon), while Iberian ham is consumed in its pure form.
A Matter of Cheese
Unlike ham, when it comes to the variety of cheeses, Italian cuisine is the clear winner, with over 20 different types of cheese. However, this doesn’t diminish the fact that excellent cheeses, such as Manchego cheese, can be found in Spanish gastronomy.
If you’re a cheese lover, we recommend our 4 Formaggi pizza, which combines four of the best cheeses: mozzarella, gorgonzola, fontina, and parmesan.
Rossini’s Essence
Rossini, aside from being a well-known Italian opera composer, was a celebrated gourmet who hosted dinner banquets for his guests on Saturday nights, featuring dishes of his own creation.
The most famous was cannelloni à la Rossini, a dish made with gratin cannelloni, minced meat with pâté or truffle, and béchamel sauce.
Book your table now and enjoy these specialties at Rossini.