foodha for thought – menuism blog

So you have an adventurous spirit when it comes to food and you especially have an interest in trying out cuisines from other countries; however, there are those times when you walk into a restaurant, sit down and read menu that literally is in a foreign language. Yikes, what do you do?

Well, the first thing that usually helps is to do a little bit of research beforehand so that you don’t go in blind. Remember. The Internet is your friend, but then so am I. Today, you’re getting a jump start on Italian Cuisine because below, I’ll be giving you a list of some common dishes and ingredients  you may find on a Italian  restaurant menu.  So are you ready to increase your foodie vocabulary?

Abbacchio: lamb
Aceto balsamic: Balsamic vinegar
Acuqua: water
Affettati: sliced meats
Affumicato: smoked
Aglio: garlic
Al Forno: oven baked
Alici: anchovies
Amoretto: almond liquor
Anatra: duck
Anice: anise
Anisette: aniseed liquor
Antipasto: appetizer course
Aragosta: rock lobster
Arista: duck
Arrosto: roasted
Asparagi: asparagus
Baccala: salt cod
Basilico: basil
Bel Paese: mild cheese
Bictola: swiss chard
Biscotti: cookies
Bistecca: steak
Bocconcini: small mozzarella balls
Bollito: boiled
Bolognese: meat sauce
Braciola: chops
Brasato: braised beef
Brodetto: fish soup
Brodo: broth
Bruschetta: bread topped with garlic, tomato and onion
Bufalo: water buffalo
Burro: butter
Cacciatore: hunters style
Caffe: espresso
Calimari: squid
Caldo: hot
Canestrelli: scallops
Cannellini: white bean
Capperi: capers
Caprese Insalata: mozzarella, tomato and basil salad
Capriolo: venison
Carbonara: cream and ham sauce
Carciofini: artichoke hearts
Cardi: cardoons
Carne: meat
Carpaccio: raw beef sliced thin
Cavolo: cabbage
Cavolfiori: cauliflower
Cetrioli: cucumber
Ciambotta: vegetable stew
Cipolle: onions
Coda alla Vaccinara: oxtail
Coniglio: rabbit
Costoletta: cutlets
Cotto: cooked
Cozze: mussels
Crostini: toasted bread
Crudo: raw
Cucina: kitchen
Diavola: spicy sauce
Dindo: turkey
Dolce: dessert
Fagiano: pheasant
Fagioli: beans
Farcito:  stuffed
Fegato: liver
Filanti: soft cheese
Filetto: tenderloin
Finocchio: fennel
Foccaccia: flat bread
Formaggio: cheese
Forno: oven
Freddo: cold
Fritto: deep fried
Frutti de Mare: shellfish
Funghi: mushrooms
Gamberetti: shrimps
Gorgonzola: blue cheese
Grana Padano: hard white cheese
Granchio: crab
Griglia: grilled
Impanato: breaded
Indiviola: endive
Insalata:  salad
Lardo: fat
Latte Fritto: fried custard
Lauro: bay leaf
Lenticchie: lentils
Lesso: boiled
Lemoncello: lemon liquor
Lemone: Lemon
Lupo di Mare: lobster
Maccarello: macherel
Maiale: pork
Mais: corn
Manzo: beef
Marinara: plain sauce
Marsela: sweet wine
Marscpone: cream cheese
Melanzane: eggplant
Minestrone: vegetable soup
Mortadella: pork sausage
Moscato: nutmeg
Mozzarella: rubbery soft cheese
Nodini: veal chops
Osso Bucco: braised veal shanks
Ostriche: oysters
Pancetta: bacon
Panna: cream
Parmesan: hard cheese from Parma
Pecorino: hard sharp cheese
Peoci: mussels
Pepe Verdi: green peppercorns
Pepe: pepper
Pesce: fish
Pesto: basil, pine nuts, cheese and garlic
Piselli: peas
Polenta: corn meal
Polipi: octopus
Pollo: chicken
Pomidori: tomato
Porchetta: suckling pig
Porcini: mushrooms
Prezzemolo: parsley
Prosciutto: cured ham
Provola: soft cheese
Provolone: sharp cheese
Ricotta: creamy whey cheese
Risotto: rice dish
Robiola: creamy white cheese
Rosmarino: rosemary
Salami:  cured sausage
Sale: salt
Salsicce: sausage
Saltimbocca:  veal with ham and sage
Salvia: sage
Sambucca: anise flavored liquor
Sardi: sardines
Scaloppine: thin slice of meat
Scologna: shallots
Soppressa: dry sausage
Spigoli: sea bass
Spinaci: spinach
Stracchino: goats milk cheese
Stracciatella: chicken soup
Taleggio: cow’s milk cheese
Timo: thyme
Tommo: tuna
Tortoni: liquor ice cream
Totano: squid
Trota: trout
Vitello: veal
Vongole: clams
Zabaglione: warm custard dessert
Zafferano: saffron
Zucchero:  sugar
Zucchine: squash

Hopefully, I was able to shed a little light on Italian food.  These days,  more Italian restaurants are opening that strive to serve more authentic Italian cuisine and this is reflected in menus that are more varied than ever before.  With more menu items, there are more Italian words that are unfamiliar so hopefully, this particular Italian primer will help you in get a better idea of what you’re actually ordering.

By Abby C. Abanes
Menuism Community Manager