The Conventional Menu Organization in Italy

When I visited Italy last year, my Italian friend set a lush dinner served in their traditional menu structure which includes antipasto or hot or cold appetizers, primo or the first course, secondo or the second course, contorno or the side dish, dolce or dessert, caffe or coffee, and liquors or grappa.

First, I was given different varieties of savory cheeses as my antipasto or appetizer. After that, I was treated to a flavorful and good-tasting pesto with its pounded basil and grated pecorino sardo and parmigiano reggaino cheeses as my first course. Then I was given one of Italy's specialty, the Coda alla Vaccinara or stewed oxtail with vegetables, followed by the mouthwatering Tiramisu and a crisp vegetable salad. Then, my friend gave me an espresso after my heavenly meal and an ammazzacafe to dull the burly taste of the coffee.

After eating the appetizing dinner, I asked my friend about their traditional menu structure and she pointed out that although the primo is the heaviest part of the dinner, the secondo is still considered as the main course. That is the reason why pasta are never given as the major course of any meal.

Knowing all these things make me believe that Italy is indeed an interesting country filled with fabulous tourist attractions, hospitable people, and rich and mouthwatering foods.