Cooking and kitchen vocabulary in Italian

It is important to learn cooking and kitchen vocabulary in Italian if you love the Italian way of life. Italians are known for their famous recipes which have had a great impact worldwide. They say that if you are not a fan of any of the delicious Italian food, then your life is missing something. Well-made, rich in taste and texture are guaranteed to leave you asking for more.

There is a fascinating history, customs and trends for what you eat in Italian homes. As a result, food plays a big part in the everyday Italian lifestyle. It goes beyond nourishment. It is serious business thinking of which sauce is acceptable with a certain pasta and the details like what shape is to be used when considering to make a certain pasta. This is never taken lightly. Italians have a proud relationship with their cuisine and nothing or anyone can come in between them.

ITALIAN COOKING TRADITIONS

Italians have many traditional holidays which generally revolve around food. Large extended families’ groups come together to eat as often as possible during these days when particular foods must be eaten. The cooking and kitchen vocabulary in Italian is easily grasped since the meal preparation lasts for several hours. Whatever meal being prepared is so deep-rooted in the family that it’s unlikely to change anything.

Italians enjoy traditional food with family and dishes are tried and tested uncountable times before it qualifies to the dinner table. One of the most important things in Italy is cooking. It plays the important role of bringing family together. Therefore, a variety of delicious and enjoyable meals are prepared with family in mind.

A traditional Italian family lunch may last up to two good hours because it is made of six courses. Appetizers (gli antipasti), First course, mainly a pasta dish (Primo piato), the second course which is either fish or a meat dish, a vegetable dish (il contorno), fruit dish (frutta) and desserts (i dolci).

Let us look at some of the Italian cooking vocabulary.

ITALIAN COOKING TECHNIQUES

Mescolare – To blend, to mix, to stir
Tritare – To chop up
Impastare – To knead
Versare – To pour
Utilizzare – To use
Scegliere – To choose
Trasferire – To transfer
Coprire – To cover
Friggere – To fry
Cuocere al forno – To bake in the oven
Saltare – To sauté
Trasferire in una seconda pentola -To transfer into a second pot

Italian cooking vocabulary

ITALIAN COOKING INGREDIENTS

Pomodori Pachino – Cherry tomatoes
Cozze – Mussels
Vongole – Clams
Calamari – Squid
Scampi – Shrimp
Olio extraverergine di oliva – Extra-virgin olive oil
Vino bianco – White wine
Vino rosso – Red wine
Sale – Salt
Pepe nero – Black pepper
Zucchero – Sugar
Farina – Flour
Acqua – Water
Lievito – Yeast
Mozzarella – Buffalo milk cheese
Cacao amaro in polvere – Unsweetened chocolate powder
Uova – Eggs

MEASURING ITALIAN FOOD

Grammi – Grams
Spicchio – Slide, Wedge, Clove, Small bunch
Cucchiaio – Spoonful

ITALIAN KITCHEN VOCABULARY

La cucina – Kitchen
Le bacchette – Chopsticks
Il coltello – Knife
La forchetta – Fork
Il cucchiaio – Spoon
La spatula – spatula
Le pinze – Tongs
Il frullatore – Blender
La bilancia – Scales
Lo strofinaccio – Tea towel
Il recipiente – Container
Il tagliere – Cutting board
Il bicchiere – Glass
La lavastoviglie – Dishwasher
Il congelatore – Freezer
Il bollitore – Kettle
La credenza – Cupboard
Il forno a microonde – Microwave
Il fornello – Stove
Il forno – Oven
Il tostapane – Toaster
La padella – Frying pan
La casseruola – Sauce pan
Il lavello – Sink
Il rubinetto – Tap

As you learn Italian you will come across the ten commandments of Italian cooking. Take them seriously because Italians take cooking very seriously.

Buy the best ingredients and of high quality for the best flavour. Use the right pan when cooking. Cooking and kitchen vocabulary in Italian has to be at your fingertips. For example, you have to know that a sauté pan because of its depth and curved sides is better for braising meat and vegetables than a frying pan.

The other commandments of Italian cooking are that seasoning goes during cooking, never after cooking. Italians use herbs and spices subtly because their work is just to enhance the flavour but not to distract from it. Make sure to use the right amount of sauce. Italians love their pasta dressed in the source. Lastly but not least, always taste while you cook. The final result is a labour of endurance and love.

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Now that you master the Italian cooking vocabulary discover these 32 Italian vegetable names you need to know!