We love watching an Italian cooking show called Lidia’s Italy. Even if we’ve just finished eating our own dinner, the delectable food she’s preparing never fails to make our stomachs growl and mouths water! After watching the program several times we picked up on the phrase she uses to close each show, and take great delight in practicing it before we sit down to a meal together.
Tutti a tavola a mangiare!
(Everyone to the table to eat!)
Good food – preparing, serving, eating, and appreciating it – is such a huge and central part of Italian life and culture.

My family moved several times while I was growing up, but for a few years we lived in the same city as several of my Italian mom’s family members, and were privileged to enjoy meals in their homes on a number of occasions. From the mouth-watering aromas that greet you before you even walk through the door, to the bounty of food served in course after neverending course (where a “No, thank you, I’m full” is answered by an emphatic, “Eat! Eat! You’re too skinny!” and accompanied by another serving of pasta), to the bewildering hubbub of several simultaneous (and equally loud) conversations being carried on between family members all the way up and down the table, a meal in an Italian home is definitely an unforgettable experience!
If you are fortunate enough to be invited to share a meal in an Italian home, and would like to sample a taste of every delicious dish that’s being served, take note that each meal has MANY courses – antipasto (appetizer), primo (pasta or soup), secondo (meat or fish with vegetables), formaggi (cheese), dolci (dessert), frutta (fruit), and caffé (coffee) – and govern your portions accordingly! Trust me on this. The inexperienced diner might assume that an Italian meal is complete after an antipasto of cold meats, crusty bread, and olives followed by a hearty helping of delicious pasta, but will discover as a platter of meat or fish is being brought to the table that it’s not over yet… and unfortunately, they’re now much too full to appreciate the rest of the meal.
Whatever you do, eat slowly! If your plate shows even the slightest sign of being a little too clean, you will be served more food and your portion control will go out the window. Again, trust me.
But above all else, enjoy! Enjoy the food, enjoy the company, enjoy the experience… Tutti a tavola a mangiare!

Have you experienced the delight of an Italian meal?
Please share!

Twitter: rm29303
August 7, 2014
I love Italian and one of the few things I can do well. I always wished I had grown up in Italian household! I am Native American/Irish and German but married into an all Irish huge family and in alot of ways they seem similar.
Rena McDaniel-The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver recently posted… AN ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER DAY FROM HELL
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Italian food is amazing, as is the culture that surrounds it. So grateful I’ve had that experience as part of my life!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Charming anecdote and now I’m so hungry for that 5-course meal!!! I laughed at the Italian version of “no, thanks; I’m full” followed by. “You’re as skinny as a rail. EAT SOME MORE!!” That’s what my family did even tho’ we’re not Italian.
Sammy d recently posted… A Change Is Comin’
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Food really is more than just fuel, isn’t it? And pretty much every culture seems to see it that way!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: luxganzon
August 8, 2014
gosh i super love italian dishes. especially pasta! this got my mouth watering, yum!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Pasta is my favourite, I think. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: beloome
August 8, 2014
Yes, I have had the pleasure of eating at Italian friends’ homes and I know exactly what you mean 🙂 But I love Italian food and feel a strong connection with the vibrancy of the Italian culture (never been to Italy, just based on what I have seen, read and heard about). Lovely read, Laurel!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Thank you, Beloo! Glad you too have shared that wonderful experience. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: 1951
August 8, 2014
Eating is an art form in a Sicilian house and so I grew to love a great Italian meal more than I should, probably. This fall we’re doing some cooking IN Sicily. Can’t wait!
Carol Cassara recently posted… Shine on!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Oh, you’re so lucky! Can’t wait to hear about it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: peppylady
August 8, 2014
I wouldn’t call my self skinny. I do like food and it doesn’t matter of country it came from.
Coffee is on
peppylady (Dora) recently posted… My first Pagan Ritual.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Food is good indeed. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: kohleyedme
August 10, 2014
I haven’t tried Italian! Makes me want to try 🙂 Yumm!!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 10, 2014
Oh, you simply must! It’s wonderful!
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