Americanizing Italian Food

One of the most surprising topics I have learned in my Italian culture class is on Italian cuisine. I have come to find that what Americans call Italian food is not really Italian at all.

For example, spaghetti and meatballs (my absolute favorite) doesn't even exist in Italy. Meat and pasta are not mixed in an Italian meal. Instead, they are served separately; the pasta is consumed before the meat dish is even brought to the table.

Parmesan chicken and chicken Alfredo are also nonexistent in Italy.

Not only have Americans invented "Italian" dishes, but we have also Americanized existing ones. We've taken the concept of pizza and made it cheesy bread with little sauce and tons of meat. With all of the alterations and creations of "Italian" cuisine, how is an Italian lover supposed to really know if he/she likes authentic Italian cuisine?

My answer: go to Italy and find out! There's no better place to go if you want the real thing. No, not even New York.