One of my favorite things about studying abroad is trying new food. Lucky for me, Italian cuisine is my favorite! I have been able to try dozens of new, authentic Italian dishes.
I tried the pesto pasta from Il Teatro! Il Teatro is a small, hidden restaurant. I had no idea it existed until my friend introduced it to me, and I'm so glad she did!
It was surprising as I wasn't expecting to enjoy pesto that much. At home, I sometimes try the store-bought pesto, but after trying this, I don't think I can go back!
In Italy, almost everything is made from scratch. The restaurant makes its own pasta, which is actually really easy to do; all you need is flour and eggs! For the pesto sauce, it is typically a blend of basil, oil, parmesan, spices and some type of pine nut. Making this dish is very simple and can easily be done at home.
The food is connected to the local environment because the ingredients are fresh and local. Italians take pride in their food and want to cook with the best ingredients. Around Italy, there are hundreds of fresh markets selling everything from produce to pig feet!
