Italian Trivia

Trivia #77: What does the word spaghetti mean in Italian?

Answer: Plural of the word spaghetto, which is a diminutive of spago, meaning string, twine or literally little strings.

Italian Trivia

Trivia #76: “Vino da tavola” is what type of drink?

Answer: Table wine.  Hot Tip: We are proud to announce that our table/house red wine is an award winning organically grown Syrah from the Hutchinson family’s Llama Ridge Vineyard, a family-owned boutique winery in Temecula.  Come in and ask for a complimentary sample!

Italian Trivia

Trivia #75: The word vermicelli, a type of pasta, translates to what in Italian?

Answer: Little worms

Italian Trivia

Trivia #74: The first pizza factory in the United States was opened in 1848 by Frenchman Antoine Zerega.  Where was this factory located?

Answer: Brooklyn, New York

Italian Trivia

Trivia #72: This Italian dessert, originating from Venice, is made of angel food cake, mascarpone cheese, liqueur and some combination of espresso or chocolate.  The name of this dessert literally translates to “pick-me-up” and was once thought to revive sexual vitology.   Name this dessert.

Answer: Tiramisu

Italian Trivia

Trivia #68: How does Lasagna differ from the north to south of Italy?

Answer: In most of southern Italy, Lasagna is made with tomato sauce and ricotta – or tomato sauce and meatballs – and can be found made with fish – or made with greens and vegetables.  However, in many parts of northern Italy, Lasagna is served in the winter – made with Sugo alla Bolognese and béchamel sauce, and an abundant dusting of grated cheese before heating.

Italian Trivia

Trivia #67: This Italian dish means “before the meal”.  Furthermore, this dish is typically served to not keep guests waiting for food and is usually served before the pasta course.  Name this dish.

Answer: Antipasto

Italian Trivia

Trivia #66: What Italian region was the first to embrace chocolate and even had recipes classified as state secrets?

Answer: Tuscany

Italian Trivia

Trivia #65: What dessert shaped like a cone did Italo Marcioni create in 1896?

Answer: Ice cream cone

Italian Trivia

Trivia #64: Rice is a very common ingredient of Italian cuisine.  However, this was not always the case.  Name the ethnic group that introduced rice to Italy, specifically Sicily.

Answer: Saracens (Arabs)

Italian Trivia

Trivia #63: This type of mushroom, considered a delicacy in Italy, was described as “the Mozart of mushrooms” by Italian composer Rossini.  Name this type of mushroom that primarily grows only near the towns of Asti and Alba.

Answer: White truffles

Italian Trivia

Trivia #62: In 1917, Achille Gaggia of Milan invented a high-pressure machine to replace the outdated steam machine.  This invention, even more popular today, produces a more flavorful and intense drink while reducing the time needed to produce it.  Name the drink this machine produces.

Answer: Espresso

Italian Trivia

Trivia #61: What gives red grapes their distinctive color?

Answer: Resveratrol which are small molecules found in the skin of red grapes

Italian Trivia

Trivia #60: This pastry of Sicilian origin is a tube of crisp, fried pastry dough filled with ricotta cheese and other ingredients, including nuts, dried fruits and chocolate chips.  Name this pastry.

Answer: Cannoli

Italian Trivia

Trivia #58: Many Italians like to put anisette or sambuca into what drinks?

Answer: Espresso or Cappuccino

Italian Trivia

Trivia #55: This region of Italy boasts some of the finest lobsters in all of Europe.  From here, lobsters make their way to many dinner plates and are enjoyed throughout Europe.  Name this region.

Answer: Sardinia

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Italian Trivia

Trivia #71: What type of food is ricotta? 

Answer: Soft and creamy cheese.

Italian Trivia

Trivia #54:  This food, invented by an Italian monk around 610 A.D., is shaped to mimic the folded arms of praying children.  It was invented for the purpose of giving children an inducement and reward for memorizing their prayers.  Name this food. 

Answer: Pretzel (also called a crisscross pretzel).