Food question

[periwinklepatch]

What would you consider "American food"? I'm thinking more than just hamburgers and hot dogs, but what common attributes or tastes (if any) describe American food? And would you consider Italian food ethnic? Tim and I had this conversation today, and I'm interested in other answers.

Comments

[spudboy]

I don't know where to draw the line between All-American food and regional stuff. I mean, pork tenderloins are classic Indiana fare, but I hadn't seen them before I moved out here. And collard greens are bigger in the south than they are... well, probably anywhere else. New England's got chowder and cheesesteaks, Texas has chili and barbecues, and California's got... well, I don't know what they have.

However, I'm pretty sure we, as a nation, are the kings of outdoor grilling. So we've got that.

As for "ethnic" foods, if you can get it in a national chain restaurant or Wal-Mart, it doesn't qualify anymore. Maybe local versions made from scratch would work (like visiting someone's family), but dumping a jar of Ragu on a pile of noodles does not make an Italian dinner.

[robandjodi]

Spaghetti is not Italian food, but lasagna is. Even though to a lesser extent it is all the same (pasta with meat sauce and sometimes a cheese filling), I think some of it qualifies and some does not. Spinach ravioli, yes. Chef Boyardee ravioli, no. Fettacunni alfredo yes. Ninja Turles Spaghettios...no.

[periwinklepatch]

They make Ninja Turtles Spaghettios? Would you consider a trip to Olive Garden a trip to an ethnic restaurant like if you went to the Mexican place down the street? Or would it have to be more like the mom and pop Italian restaurants?

[robandjodi]

Yes they do.
I see what you're getting at, and I agree for the most part. It isn't the same as a mom and pop place...but the mom and pop place is equally as ethnic as a Mexican place.

[angel_grrl]

Most of what we think of as "Italian" food is actually "Italian-American" food. My sister bought me an Italian cookbook when I got married, and my eyes were opened! They don't use heavy tomato or cream based sauces; much of their stuff is very light in comparison to what you might get at the Olive Garden, for example. Many of my favorite recipes in that book don't even include tomatoes (or pasta noodles, for that matter).

Did you realize that rosemary features prominently in true Italian cooking? I sure didn't! And fresh seafood is another big thing in some regions.

[periwinklepatch]

No cream sauces? O_O Say it ain't so!

[angel_grrl]

Sorry. My wording choice was poor.

I should have said something more like those heavier sauces have less of a focus in Italian cuisine than they seem to have here.

[panache62]

I'd say apple pie, fried chicken, and macaroni salad seem pretty american. Oh...and chocolate chip cookies!!

I only consider italian to be ethnic if you go to an authentic italian restaurant. even then it isn't 100% i think (since you have to cater to local tastes) but pizza hut, for example, isn't ethnic. :)

[periwinklepatch]

Ooh, I agree with that. I had pizza at only one place in Rome, but oh I fell in love with it (we ate there several times because it was next door to our hotel). By now, Tim thinks that pizza is american.

[anonymous]

Don't forget about Bison.(buffalo)..what could be more "American"? Tried some at Ted Turrners grill....Yummy!