The Italian people are always happy to discuss the architecture of the area and of Italy in general. Art, local and national, also enjoy being among the most common subjects.
Since wine & food are such a huge part of day to day life, you may find this topic seems to be something you are always discussing. Sports, especially Soccer (called Football in most of the world), is a great area of conversation. Italians also really enjoy talking about these subjects in your home country too.
Conversation is an art form in Italy. You can walk along the open cafes in almost any town in Italy and hear people engaged in intense, animated discussions on many different matters. Listen in and you will hear subjects like Italian culture, art, films, food, wine and sports.
There isn’t often a moment of silence in the course of a conversation. It is truly an experience to just listen and observe, even when you can’t understand!
“Una giornata senza riso è una giornata sprecata ” is a common proverb of Italian culture.
Whether in a classroom or strolling along the streets, the Italian people express an authenticity and passion unmatched the world over. Italians are warm, welcoming and enjoy sharing the pleasures of life with others.
We (Joe & Peppy) have been in business for more than 35 years! Our goal has always been to provide the finest products we can find.
We make all our own breads and cookies along with homemade italian sausage. We have recently increased our varieties of breads and pastries. Our mix of products continue to grow!
Please take a look at all our Italian products at www.niccolisdeli.com and enjoy them with your family.
Tiramisu is translated as “pick-me-up” in Italian. This favorite dessert is known for the high energy contents, eggs and sugar with the caffeine in a strong espresso coffee.
There are many different stories about the origin of Tiramisu. It’s a layered cake so some people place its origin in Tuscany, where another famous layered Italian dessert is very popular. It’s called “Zuppa Inglese” (English Soup). It is not English and it is not a soup. Instead is a simple cake of ladyfingers or sponge cake, soaked in liquor, and alternated layers of chocolate and egg custard.
Of course, layered cakes have been around for long time, but the inspired idea of Tiramisu is not in the technique of layering, but in the components. This is the true innovation in Tiramisu!
Round tomatoes have between five and seven locules or seed pockets but plum tomatoes like the San Marzano have two. This small seed cavity allows the seeds to be scooped out easily, leaving all the meat.
The plant can bear up to 12 bunches of fruit, the skin has a bright red color and is easily removable, an indispensable characteristic for preparing peeled tomatoes.
All in all, this type of tomato is considered one of the best available!
Fresh, sun-dried or puréed, tomatoes lie at the heart of Italian cooking. The combination of tomatoes, pasta and parmesan cheese make the beginning to many, many Italian dishes.
Fresh tomatoes are grown in many areas and the taste of the tomatoes is just as varied. Things like soil, temperature during ripening and of course which seeds are used, are the basis for the taste of the tomatoes.
Here’s a great site for understanding tomatoes a little better!
Biscotti are crisp Italian cookies often containing nuts or flavored with anise. Traditionally, biscotti are made by baking cookie dough in two long slabs and cutting them into half inch thick pieces. Then they are reheated allowing them to dry them out, the longer the heating, the harder the cookies. Originally the cookies were twice-baked so they could be stored for long periods of time.
Biscotti come in many varieties. In different regions of Italy, biscotti are prepared or flavoured differently. In Tuscany they are often eaten with vin santo, though in other parts of the world (particularly the United States) biscotti are considered an essential part of the espresso bar experience. The generally hard texture of biscotti makes the cookie ideal for dipping in coffee or wine.