Curiosities About Italian and Spanish Cuisine
As we mentioned in our previous article “Differences and Similarities Between Italian and Spanish Cuisine”, both cuisines share many similarities and differences. In this new article, we present five more curiosities about Italian and Spanish cuisine. If you’re passionate about gastronomy, our blog offers many more articles dedicated to Italian cuisine and the various delicacies we feature on the menu of our Italian restaurant in Barcelona. Let’s get started!
Italian-Style Tapas
The influence of family traditions and culinary culture is evident in daily meals in both Italy and Spain, which include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In Italy, lunch is the most substantial meal of the day, served in a series of courses that progress from a starter to dessert.
In Italy, there is antipasto, which is similar to the Spanish aperitif and is served as a starter before the first course. Antipasto (literally "before the pasta") consists of small dishes of olives, cured meats, bread rolls, cheeses, and more.
The Delicious Croquette!
One of the tastiest antipasti to accompany a meal is Arancini, small breaded balls filled with meat, peas, rice, or cheese, resembling croquettes from Spanish cuisine. This Sicilian dish is much loved throughout Italy because it can be enjoyed at any time of the day and is easily found in most restaurants.
Another Italian variation is Supplì, which was historically made to use up leftovers from other meals.
The Brotherhood of the Omelette
The Italian frittata and the Spanish potato tortilla are other similarities between the two cuisines. These dishes are prepared with eggs and often include ingredients such as potatoes, meat, cheese, onions, or even pasta.
Similar to the Margherita pizza, the frittata was a dish dedicated to royalty and was highly appreciated by Spanish King Charles V to celebrate his triumph in the Battle of Tunis in 1535.
Two Classic Homemade Desserts
Two of the most iconic chilled desserts from Spanish and Italian cuisine have been compared by food critics and enthusiasts worldwide: rice pudding and tiramisu. Although opinions are divided, tiramisu stands out for its creaminess, sweetness, and the variety of versions available.
On the other hand, rice pudding has older origins and can be found with variations across Europe and Asia. Interestingly, some culinary websites feature recipes for tiramisu made entirely with rice pudding.
Wine Competition
Like Spain and France, Italy is a renowned exporter of olive oil and wine. The quality of wines from both countries is highly regarded internationally. While Italian wine is known for its smoothness and flavour, Spanish wine is characterised by its intensity and boldness.
The main differences between the wines lie in their ageing process and denomination, two aspects that wine experts value when assigning a classification.
Conclusion
This concludes our second edition dedicated to the differences and similarities between Italian and Spanish cuisine. We hope you enjoyed these new curiosities about both cuisines. Stay tuned for a third part featuring more fascinating curiosities. See you in the next article!