Mediterranea

n Cuisine
Spain, Italy,
Spain, Italy,
Greece and the
Middle East

Unit Objectives
To

be able to identify and describe the

cuisine of Spanish/Italian/Middle
Eastern/Greek cuisine
To be able to apply food characteristics to
real world scenarios via completion of
reflection questions
To describe safe food handling techniques,
identify components of a recipe, implement
proper safety techniques

Standards
FCS

11.3.B Describe safe food handling techniques

FCS 11.3.F Identify components of a basic recipe
Geo 7.3.9.B Explain the human characteristics of
places and regions by their cultural characteristics

CC.1.5.11-12.A

Initiate/participate effectively.in

discussions

CC.1.4.11-12.X

Write routinely over extended time

frames for a range of purposes.

Spanish Cuisine

Climate varies by region. North has more rain and

cooler temperatures. Much of the country has mild
winters and hot dry summer.
In 16th century Spanish Christian explorers brought
food like tomatoes, sweet peppers, corn, squash,
coffee and chocolate to Europe from South America.
Celebrations and festivals are important to
traditional Spanish culture.
Cuisine is relatively simple and relies on fresh
ingredients.
Food is traditionally slow simmered to blend flavors.
Often mix a variety of meats and
vegetables into one dish.

Ingredients in Spain
Wheat,

barley, oats, rye and rice.

Olives, beans, onion, garlic, mushrooms,
asparagus, tomatoes, spinach, cabbage and
potatoes.
Grapes, oranges, clementines, figs, dates, melons,
pomegranates and apples.
Wine, saffron (a smoky flavored yellow spice),
cinnamon, anise, orange peel, almonds, paprika,
cumin, capers, caperberries & olive oil add flavor.
Herring, scallops, prawns (large shrimp),
anchovies, mussels & whitefish are among the
variety of seafood.
Beef, lamb, ham and poultry.

Spanish Recipes
Tapas:

Appetizers that
vary from simple to elaborate.
Plate of olives to savory pastries.
Gazpacho:

cold tomato soup. One of many

soups popular in Spanish cuisine.

Spanish Recipes
Chorizo:

spicy smoky flavored sausage.

Paella: Spanish rice dish which contains a
variety of vegetables, meats and plenty of
saffron.

Spanish Recipes
Desserts:

Flan (caramel custard), rice

pudding & sponge cake.

Italian Cuisine
Expansive

coastline makes seafood important

to cuisine and economic export.
Mountainous rugged terrain limits farming.
Roman Catholic church influences diet.
Cuisine is varied but simple and relies on fresh
ingredients.
Regional differences. North uses more dairy,
pork and rice. Central cuisine uses more beans
and ricotta. Southern dishes rely on tomato
sauces, mozzarella cheese and is generally
spicier.

Common Ingredients in Italy

Pasta, rice, polenta and gnocchi.

Tomato, mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant,
artichoke, beans, peppers, and spinach.
Grapes, lemons, figs, pears, cherries, plums.
Parsley, garlic, olive oil, anise, saffron, sage,
basil, thyme, sage, rosemary, capers,
pinenuts and mint.
Clams, mussels, shrimp, sardines, anchovies,
squid, tuna. Pork, lamb, veal.
Cheese often named after region. Parmesan,
Romano, provolone, gorgonzola, ricotta and
mozzarella.
Strong black coffee and wine consumed daily.
Milk is only put in coffee before noon.

Italian Recipes
Gelato

Risotto

is the Italian version of ice cream.

is a northern dish
of simmered rice prepared
with a variety of meats and
vegetables often in a creamy sauce.

Italian Recipes
Antipasto

means appetizer. It is a colorful

cold plate of olives, meats, cheeses and
vegetables.

Popular American foods with Italian roots include

spaghetti, lasagna, cannoli, tiramisu, Minestrone
soup, wedding soup, pizza, calzone and water ice.

Foods of Greece
Cuisine

has a long history. Greeks thought

to be some of the earliest people to cook
food rather than eat it raw.
Extensive coastline and rocky terrain.
Greek Orthodox Church influences diet.
Easter celebration includes feasts and
fasts.
Has both European and Middle Eastern
influences on cuisine.

Ingredients in Greece

Pasta, pita bread, bulgur, rice and phyllo

dough.
Olives (kalamata), capers, honey, lemon juice,
basil, cinnamon, dill and oregano flavor foods.
Eggplant, zucchini, grape leaves, tomatoes,
cucumbers, sweet peppers, red onions,
spinach, artichoke and fennel.
Citrus fruits, grapes, raisins
Goat, chicken and lamb. Various fish &
shellfish.
Milk is consumed fresh or made into cheese
(like feta) or yogurt to keep for longer period
of time.
Lentils, lima and chickpeas are popular beans.
Nuts like pistachios, almonds, walnuts &
pinenuts.

Greek Recipes
Dolmades: grape leaves stuffed with
seasoned rice and pinenuts.

Greek Recipes
Hummus:

spread made with chickpeas,

lemon juice, garlic and tahini (sesame
seed).

Greek Recipes
Baklava:

honey sweetened dessert made by

layering phyllo dough and walnuts

Greek Recipes
Moussaka:

eggplant and lamb casserole.

Green Salad: tomatoes, cucumbers, olives,
red onions and feta cheese.

Middle Eastern Cuisine

Includes

Turkey, Lebanon, Israel,

Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
and Egypt.
Generally dry and arid climate. Hot dry
summers and warm wet winters.
Some areas along coast line or rivers
(Nile, Tigris and Euphrates) will have more
fish in diet.
Strict dietary laws of Islam and
Judaism limits cuisine.

Impact of Religion on Cuisine

Islamic

laws forbid eating certain foods.

Forbidden foods include pork, alcohol, sick
animals or those slaughtered inhumanely.
Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the
month of Ramadan and on other occasions.
In Jewish areas food is kept Kosher by
separating meat and dairy products. Foods
are processed using strict guidelines. Pork
products and shellfish are forbidden.
Passover (symbolic seder), Rosh Hashanah
(honey cookies, sweet potato pudding), Yom
Kippur (fasting) & Chanukah (potato pancakes
and doughnuts) are important holidays.

Middle Eastern Foods

Hummus,

olives, caviar, dates, figs,

pomegranates, & pita bread.

Tabouli:

spices.

salad of bulgur, parsley and

Middle Eastern Foods

Rice

Pilaf: Rice
dish with tomato &
seasoning.

Kebabs:

Skewered
seasoned meat
(lamb).

Middle Eastern Foods

Coffee

is served thick, strong, sweet &

spiced.

Honey

is used in various desserts.

Yogurt

used in salads and soups.