Italian Cuisine - A to Z

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. A is for Antipasto, which may be anything from a dish of cured meats and/or cheeses to marinated vegetables. Which of the following is NOT a traditional Italian antipasto? Melon slices wrapped in Prosciutto. Skewered cubes of cheddar, boiled ham, and pepperoni sausage. Slices of toasted bread with sliced tomatoes and Mozzarella. Raw vegetables served with a dip of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Biscotti are the Italian equivalent of cookies. What does the name "biscotti" mean in Italian (it has to do with the way they are baked)? "Twice-cooked" or "twice baked" "Toasted" "Diagonally sliced" "Baked slowly"

3. This type of pasta dish is traditionally made with chopped, sautéed bacon, egg yolks, grated cheese, cracked black pepper, and sometimes cream. Cremini Caltinasetta Cantucci Carbonara

4. "Delizie" is a name given (appropriately) to a number of Italian desserts. What does it mean in English? Delicious Delectable Delicate Delight

5. "E" is for Espresso, the traditional Italian coffee which is prepared many different ways. Which of the following refers to espresso "marked" or "spotted" with splashes of milk or cream? Cappuccino Espresso Macchiato Espresso Corretto Latte

6. Which of the following is a type of Mozzarella cheese? Fettuccine Fontina Fior di Latte Fior di Sicilia

7. Which of the following is the Italian name for ice cream? Gelatina Gelato Grissini Granita

8. Which of the following is a main ingredient in Strufoli? Hazelnuts Hominy Horseradish Honey

9. I is for Insalata, the Italian word for "salad". One of my favorites is made from cubes of toasted bread (pane), ripe tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper, olive oil, and vinegar. It is also made with very firm textured bread that has been soaked, squeezed dry, and then crumbled and added to the other ingredients. What is this called? Insalata Russe Insalata Rinforzata Panzanella Giardiniera

10. This hearty bean soup from Trieste is made from Borlotti beans, pork, bacon, onions, potatoes, and sauerkraut (yes, sauerkraut!). Jambalaya Jagasee Jambon La Jota

11. This (not very appetizing) name for doughnuts is actually of German origin. Krapfen Kuchen Krullers Kugel

12. Which of the following types of pasta translates to "little tongues"? Linguine Lumache Lasagne Lagana

13. This is a creamy dessert cheese used for making the popular dessert Tiramisu. Mortadella Mascarpone Montasio Macchiatta

14. Hazelnuts are used widely in Italian cuisine, particularly in desserts and biscotti. What is their Italian name? Nodi Nocciole Noci Nonno

15. O is for olives, a great mainstay of Italian cuisine. Which of the following is NOT a type of olive? Siciliana Cerignole Trebbiano Gaeta

16. Which of the following is the traditional Italian salt-cured ham, which can be either cooked (cotto) or uncooked (crudo). Porchetta Pancetta Prosciutto Peperoni

17. The biscotti called by this name are made especially to be eaten during Lent. Quadrucci Quintole Quindici Quaresimali

18. This is the traditional Italian rice dish. Ribollita Risone Risotto Risi e Bisi

19. Sausage, or Salsicce, may be a hard, cured product like Salami or a fresh pork sausage made to be grilled or boiled. Which of the following is NOT a type of sausage? Luganega Soppressata Carpaccio Zampone

20. Sicilian blood oranges are known by this name in their native land. Taralli Tagliatelle Tacchino Tarocchi

21. Raisins are a traditional ingredient in sweets such as the Milanese Panettone as well as savory dishes, such as the Venetian Saor, a cold fish dish. What is their Italian name? Uve Ugolini Umbria Uvetta

22. V is for Verdure, or vegetables, one of the great mainstays of Italian cuisine. Which of the following is NOT a vegetable? Cipolle Lattuga Sedano Lamponi

23. This word, of German derivation, means a small sausage, rather like a hot dog. Wurstel Weiner Wurzel Wurst

24. The letter Y does not exist in the Italian language, so I'll need to be creative here. What does "Pangiallo" (traditionally served at Carnevale, or Mardi Gras) mean? Yellow Liqueur Yellow Cake Yellow Bread Yellow Cream

25. We began, appropriately, with antipasti; now we end, equally appropriately, with dessert. Which of the following is NOT a dessert? Zuccotto Zuppa Inglese Zoccolo Zabaglione (or Zabaione)