Italy for non Pork eaters
Pork is a staple in Italian cuisine, there are many dishes where pork is an ingredient that is mandatory. If you dine in a restaurant, there is a good chance that the dishes made will be made in the most traditional way. This means that if the dish is suppose to have pork in it, then it will most likely be present.
Luckily, there are many Italian dishes that do not include pork. If you do not eat pork it is important to tell the waiter when you are ordering your meal. I would suggest you tell the waiter of any dietary specification once everyone is seated and you’ve had time to review the menu. Italian restaurants do not rush you from the table, so take your time. Once the waiter returns to the table, get their attention and tell them you do not eat pork and confirm that what you’re interested in is pork free.
“There is a good chance that the dishes made will be made in the most traditional way”
This means that if the dish is suppose to have pork in it, then it will be present.
If you are 100% against eating a pork product, order an item that is traditionally made without pork.
Changing an Italian dish can be tricky, I would personally discourage it, because Italians are known for following a recipe. If you order a dish, it will most likely be cooked the traditional way. If the dish is traditionally made with pork, chances of pork being added to your dish, in some way shape or form ( or by accident), will increase.
Once again, pork is not in an every dish, there are many vegetarian options available on the Italian menu and depending on the dish, pork can be what makes the dishes special. Pork can be seen is a big part of the flavor experience and because the recipes are not just part of tradition but culture, it can be seen as rude to ask to not include pork in the dish. Some of the most famous regional dishes use cuts of pork that were at one point of time deemed undesirable. Italians made something special out of nothing.
Safest way to go is to order a dish that does not include pork in the ingredient list, instead of removing pork from it.
Ways to say you don’t eat pork:
Non posso mangiare il maiale (my-ah-leh)
No maiale, per favore
Domesticated pork and wild boar (cinghiale) are also commonly eaten. They are used to making salami, sausages, prosciutto and other cured meat products.
Prosciutto is the most famous/popular type of salumi. Made from the leg of the pig, it is a dry-cured ham that comes either uncooked ( crudo) or cooked ( cotto). Prosciutto is a fatty cut of meat that, when sliced thinly, has a sweet meaty flavor with a pleasant edge of saltiness, and a buttery texture that melts in the mouth.
Another thing that is important to know,
is that most meat, poultry, milk and egg products are either banned or restricted to bring into the US. So if you do buy pork, enjoy it while abroad. You CAN bring it on the plane as a snack to eat, that is ok. DO NOT take it off the plane to bring home. This is illegal.
Prosciutto is the most famous/popular type of salumi.
It is a dry-cured ham that comes either uncooked ( crudo) or cooked ( cotto).
Basics of Italian food culture:
Italian food in Italy is very different from Italian food in the US. For one, the Italy Italian food will have less sauces and less seasonings will be used. Italians use more herbs for the seasoning of food versus difference seasonings and spices.
The antipasto course is your appetizers. This is the traditional first course . Usually made of bite-size small portions and served on a platter from which everyone serves themselves, the purpose of antipasti is to stimulate the appetite.
Some popular antipasto options are; Caprese salad (tomato and mozzarella), marinated anchovies ( amici marinata), Crostini Toscani: Tuscan Crostini with Chicken Liver Paté, Fritto Misto (mixture of fried fish or veggies), meat tray.
The primi course is where you will see things such as sauces with oregano or pork - you can always just skip this course (few people seemed to order all courses) or else try polenta or risotto. The most known kind of “primi piatti” are pasta, rice and soups.
The secondi course is typically grilled meats or fish without a sauce. This is the main course, that is featured or primary dish in a meal consisting of several courses. It usually follows the entrée course.
Contonri is your sides! Usually vegetable sides dishes.
