ITALY NATIONAL KITCHEN
4th century BCE. He wrote a poem that spoke of using "top quality and seasonal" ingredients. He
said that flavors should not be masked by spices, herbs or other seasonings. He placed importance
on simple preparation of fish. This style seemed to be forgotten during the 1st century CE when De
re coquinaria was published with 470 recipes calling for heavy use of spices and herbs. The Romans
employed Greek bakers to produce breads and imported cheeses from Sicily as the Sicilians had a
reputation as the best cheese makers. The Romans reared goats for butchering, and grew artichokes
and leeks.
Middle Ages
With culinary traditions from Rome and Athens, a cuisine developed in Sicily that some consider
the first real Italian cuisine.
Muslims invaded Sicily in the 9th century. The Arabs introduced spinach, almonds, rice and perhaps
spaghetti. During the 12th century, a Norman king surveyed Sicily and saw people making long
annaabi.ee 
