ITALIAN RECIPES

Over the centuries, Italian cuisine has been heavily influenced by Etruscan, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab cuisines. However, significant changes occurred at the time of the discovery of the New World with the introduction of items such as potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers and maize, now central to the cuisine but not introduced in quantity until the 18th century. Italian cuisine is noted for its regional diversity, abundance of difference in taste, and is known to be one of the most popular in the world. Figuring heavily are cheeses, tomato and various pastas.