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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.

Linguine with fresh fava beans

Linguine with fresh fava beans

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Linguine-with-fresh-fava-beans-2-e1429350359756.jpg 800 800 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-10-21 19:37:422018-08-23 19:33:12Linguine with fresh fava beans
Smoked salmon cheesecake

Smoked salmon cheesecake

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Smoked-salmon-cheesecake-2.jpg 511 800 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-10-07 17:42:032018-11-10 11:16:45Smoked salmon cheesecake
Ravioli with ricotta and parsley

Ravioli with ricotta and parsley

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Ravioli-with-ricotta-and-parsley-1.jpg 430 1500 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-09-16 18:35:532017-09-13 18:35:57Ravioli with ricotta and parsley
Green tagliatelle with saffron sauce

Green tagliatelle with saffron sauce

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Green-tagliatelle-with-saffron-sauce.jpg 240 600 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-06-03 17:34:102016-11-11 16:16:54Green tagliatelle with saffron sauce
ricotta gnocchi with green peas and carrots

Ricotta gnocchi with green peas and carrots

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Ricotta-gnocchi-with-green-peas-and-carrots-1.jpg 267 1000 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-04-29 16:55:092017-09-13 18:37:03Ricotta gnocchi with green peas and carrots
Fresh ricotta with fava beans and herbs

Fresh ricotta with fava beans and herbs

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Fresh-ricotta-with-fava-beans-and-herbs-1.jpg 360 960 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-03-11 18:55:372017-09-13 18:38:22Fresh ricotta with fava beans and herbs
Radicchio stuffed pasta in cheese sauceItalian Notes

Radicchio stuffed pasta in cheese sauce

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_8828.jpg 430 1500 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-03-04 19:00:592016-11-17 18:13:03Radicchio stuffed pasta in cheese sauce
Omelette with tropea onions

Omelette with tropea onions

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Omelette-with-tropea-onions-1.jpg 360 960 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-02-11 18:27:122017-09-06 09:15:14Omelette with tropea onions
Agnolotti plin with mushrooms

Agnolotti plin with mushrooms

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/a-Italian-notes-47.jpg 360 960 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2015-01-21 18:27:482016-11-19 15:38:44Agnolotti plin with mushrooms
Pasta with artichokes

Pasta with artichokes

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Pasta-with-artichokes-1-e1482772114141.jpg 225 600 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2014-11-19 18:36:222016-12-26 18:14:07Pasta with artichokes
Red rice with smoked salmon

Red rice with smoked salmon

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Red-rice-with-smoked-salmon-11.jpg 360 960 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2014-10-15 17:32:242017-02-01 19:30:26Red rice with smoked salmon
Photo of ravioli with salmon filling

Ravioli with salmon filling

https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Ravioli-with-salmon-filling-11.jpg 360 960 Mette https://italiannotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/logo.jpg Mette2014-09-17 18:05:002017-02-08 19:44:16Ravioli with salmon filling
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4 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

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