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Primi piatti

Primi piatti refer to the first proper courses in a traditional Italian meal. We are talking pasta, gnocchi, soups, polenta, rice, omelets and other staples that can fill a hungry family on a low cost budget

In consequence primi piatti hit the table, before the expensive meat is served. Pizze is not normally part of the traditional meal structure, because it constitutes a full meal in itself. Besides pizza is rarely made at home, due to the lack of the indispensable forno a legna wood oven.

One-course meals

For those who haven’t got time or appetite for a full Italian meal on an every day basis, primi piatti can also be served as one-course meals. In most cases this means there is a minimal amount of meat involved, though the dishes are rarely strictly vegetarian. Italians like to flavour their primi piatti with a little ham or anchovies in order to get a richer taste.

Primi piatti as one course meals are an exception in most Italian families. They will generally have a salad, some leftovers or a slice of sausage for starters, before digging into the main dish. And they will almost always have a piece of fruit for dessert. On Sundays and in connection with Christmas and Easter people still enjoy a proper 4 course meal or more.

Pasta with broccoli from Puglia

Pasta with broccoli recipe

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pasta-with-broccoli-e1359715100964.jpg 240 640 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2010-04-22 10:27:002018-02-25 15:50:06Pasta with broccoli recipe

Ligurian Easter pie

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Ligurian-Easter-pie-e1359715472767.jpg 240 640 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2010-03-19 10:31:002015-03-25 19:28:48Ligurian Easter pie

Real lasagne

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Real-lasagne-e1359715559460.jpg 298 640 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2010-03-11 15:45:002013-05-04 16:32:41Real lasagne
Homemade tomato pesto

Homemade tomato pesto

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Pasta-with-tomato-pesto-e1360149351753.jpg 240 640 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2010-02-16 12:11:002016-09-17 16:58:41Homemade tomato pesto

Fresh orecchiette with tomato sauce

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Fresh-orecchiette-with-tomato-sauce-e1362136555156.jpg 240 640 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2010-02-10 15:22:002013-05-04 11:41:57Fresh orecchiette with tomato sauce
Mixed bean salad

Mixed bean salad

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Mixed-bean-salad-1-e1360149519652.jpg 240 640 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2010-02-08 13:36:002016-01-02 16:32:55Mixed bean salad

Fresh ravioli with ricotta filling

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Fresh-ravioli-with-ricotta-filling-e1360149972705.jpg 240 640 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2010-01-22 14:35:002017-09-13 18:42:44Fresh ravioli with ricotta filling
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8 replies
  1. Paige
    Paige says:
    March 4, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    are any of these traditional meals

    Reply
    • Mette
      Mette says:
      March 4, 2018 at 6:32 pm

      Most of the courses are traditional in some part of Italy, but a traditional Italian meal normally consists of an antipasto followed by a primo course followed by a secondo meat course ending with a dolce dessert.

      Reply
    • Vee
      Vee says:
      June 19, 2018 at 8:28 pm

      I think these are the most authentic recipes I can find online in English. I was in Italy last Summer and was stunned by Italian cuisine. Thank you Italian Notes for gathering all the recipes, they are so much better than those fake American-Italian recipes on other websites.

      Reply
      • Mette
        Mette says:
        November 6, 2018 at 8:20 am

        You’re too kind, but I try my best and I really appreciate the feed-back.

        Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. 2023 - 9 Menübegriffe, die Sie in einem italienischen Restaurant kennen müssen says:
    January 14, 2023 at 8:47 pm

    […] Restaurants oft als separater Gang betrachtet. Der Abschnitt des Menüs mit der Bezeichnung “Primi” ist der erste (oder primäre) Kursund hier finden Sie alle Ihre Lieblingspastagerichte, aber die Optionen hören hier nicht […]

    Reply
  2. 9 Italian Restaurant Menu Terms You Need to Know says:
    January 14, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    […] at Italian restaurants it is often considered a separate course. The section of the menu labeled “Primi” is the first (or primary) course, and this is where you will find all of your favorite pasta dishes, but the options don’t […]

    Reply
  3. 9 Italian Restaurant Menu Terms You Need to Know - ApkBip says:
    January 14, 2023 at 3:05 pm

    […] eating places it’s typically thought-about a separate course. The part of the menu labeled “Primi” is the first (or primary) course, and that is the place you can see your entire favourite pasta dishes, however the choices do not […]

    Reply
  4. 9 Italian Restaurant Menu Terms You Should Know - Review Guruu says:
    January 14, 2023 at 3:02 pm

    […] meal in itself, it is often treated as a separate dish in Italian restaurants. Label menu section “Get” is the first (or primary) courseand you’ll find all your favorite pasta dishes here, but the possibilities don’t end […]

    Reply

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