Is pizza a traditional italian food?

I recently read an interview of Alberto Grandi in Financial Times, an Italian academic and podcaster, under the title "Everything I, an Italian, thought I knew about Italian food is wrong" who shed light on the myths surrounding Italian cuisine. As it turns out, many of the dishes we associate with Italy are not as traditional as we may believe. For instance, pizza, tiramisu and panettone, which are often considered as staples of Italian cuisine, have a much more recent history than we might have thought.

In fact, Grandi points out that pizza, as we know it today, was invented in the United States in the late 19th century. While pizza-like dishes have been around in Italy for centuries, the tomato-based pizza that is so ubiquitous today was actually popularized by Italian immigrants in the US. Similarly, tiramisu, a dessert made of ladyfingers, espresso, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa powder, is believed to have been invented in the 1970s, despite its association with Italian tradition.

But what about panettone, the sweet bread loaf traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas holidays? Even this iconic Italian dish has a somewhat contested history. While it is widely believed to have originated in Milan, its exact origins are unclear, and there are claims that similar sweet breads were being made in other parts of Italy and Europe as early as the 16th century.

However, this doesn't mean that traditional Italian cuisine doesn't exist. Italy has a rich culinary tradition that includes many delicious and authentic dishes. In fact, the country has a system of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) labels that certifies that a product has been produced in a specific region using traditional methods and meets strict quality standards. Parmigiano, Mozzarela and Balsamico are just a few products protected as PDO. This system helps to maintain the authenticity and quality of traditional Italian foods while supporting local economies and sustainable farming practices. (My country, Cyprus, also boasts a number of PDO products, with Halloumi cheese being the most famous).

Italian cuisine is not the only one with its myths. Every culture has its own stories and misconceptions about the origins of its cuisine. One such myth is the confusion about the origins of our beloved coffee. Many people call it "Turkish coffee," while others refer to it as "Greek coffee." In reality, it is a coffee preparation method that is popular across the Eastern Mediterranean, since Byzantium era, including Cyprus, Turkey,Syria, Egypt and Greece. Similarly, the origins of baklava, a popular pastry in Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey, are debated, with each country claiming it as its own.

The misconceptions about food origins can be attributed to various factors such as history, globalization, cultural exchange, and even marketing. In some cases, these myths can lead to conflicts over intellectual property rights and authenticity. 

Ultimately, the stories and myths surrounding our favorite foods are part of what makes them so special. These tales are woven into the fabric of our cultural identity and give us a sense of connection to our heritage. While we should strive for accuracy in our understanding of food origins, we should also celebrate the stories and legends that have been passed down through generations.

In conclusion, the myths surrounding our favorite foods are often more complex than we realize. However, these myths can also add to the charm and cultural significance of the foods we love. It's important to continue learning about the history and evolution of our favorite dishes, but let's not forget to enjoy them in all their delicious glory, whether they're truly "traditional" or not. As the old saying goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" – and in the end, it's the taste that really matters. So go ahead and savor that slice of pizza or bite of baklava, and appreciate the unique stories and traditions that make them so special.