There is definitely no other place on earth that has welcomed and embraced more styles of cuisines than the United States. Immigration is the primary reason why so many different cuisines had found their way here, carried by the millions of people who have pursued a better life by embracing the American dream. Among the multitude of different styles that have had a significant impact on defining American cuisine, Italian food may have been the most influential one. It is truly fascinating to elaborate on the journey of the Italian Cuisine towards America and how, over time, it has gained its enormous consent and deep appreciation by the majority of the American people.

Many of you may not know this but, it took some American influence on Italy, in order for Italian cooks to perfect their techniques. Most important, thou, was the importation of the American crops such as tomatoes, corn, zucchini and peppers; they were first seen in Italy during the late 18th Century. Initially, they were seen as “new world” oddities and they were only grown in small botanical gardens. Once their popularity was finally spread across the peninsula, the variety and sophistication of the Italian Cuisine vertiginously increased.

By the end of the 19th Century, many revolutionary events have influenced the Italian cuisine. Sicily and Naples, famous for their citrus production, came up with new ways to cultivate and process tomatoes (the discovery of “Pomarola”). Also, the huge demand for pasta influenced the opening of many new factories where the process of wheat took place, coming directly from Sicily. They even received help and support from the government, which positively influenced the expansion of the olive industry, making Italian olive oil one of the most requested products in the world. It is important to keep in mind what was happening in Italy during that time: between 1870 and 1920, millions of “freshly declared” Italians, who didn’t support the unification of the kingdom, decided to leave their no longer recognizable country behind to pursue the American dream.

The majority of them, passing through Ellis Island, placed their foundations on the East Coast; New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, mostly. Like many others immigrant populations previously have done, Italians created their own communities. In these communities, something magical happened: the mixture of regional cooking differences made possible for their culinary influences to blend all together. Suddenly, recipes from Tuscany were embraced and adapted by Neapolitans; Romans were cooking side by side with Sicilians; Northern dishes were reproduced and slightly modified by the neighbor from the South and this, this is how the revolution of the Italian American cuisine started. Initially, these new delicious creations were treasured inside the walls of the Italian communities, away from the American people. After the American soldiers fought in Italy during WWII, they returned home with quite an appetite for Italian food. This huge demand has led many Italian Americans to open up restaurants and delis to help feed the new hunger for Italian food.

While most of the Italian dishes many Americans love today are not necessarily to be considered “authentic”, they still maintain the same roots as the traditional ones. This was the reason for major importations of a great variety of cheeses and also olives and oils. As the food and recipes continued to change, something never changed. The staples of every good Italian dish still remain garlic, oil and herbs. Whatever a particular dish, after been subjected to various transformations, may have become, the constant presence of these ingredients makes it Italian at heart. One of the most relevant changes has been the use of meat on a regular basis, instead of limiting it only to special occasions.

Nowadays, due to the unceasing mixture of recipes and the exchanging of ideas, it has become pretty challenging in America being able to distinguish which specific region of origin a particular dish might come from. But one thing is certain, “authentic” or not, Italian cuisine occupies a special place in the hearts of the majority of the American people.  

-Alberto Chiocchetti