A small amount of some local product is at least a novelty - e.g., maple syrup, maple sugar candy, salt water taffy, good (bottled) cranberry jam or relish, pralines, jalapeno jam, cactus candy, hot sauce, salsa, pancake mix, sassafras tea, etc.
Full Answer
What to bring to Italy from the US?
Re: Gifts to bring to Italy from America There is almost nothing from the US that's hard to get in Italy, and if there is, it's because Italians don't care for it. I suggest bringing the kind of thing you'd bring as a hostess gift to someone in the US, just making sure it's not hard to carry. A very good local wine might be interesting.
What are some great American gift ideas for Italians?
Another great American gift idea for Italians is candy, cookies or other types of desserts. There are lots of candies and desserts from the U.S. that you aren't able to find in Italy. The sky's the limit: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, cookie dough, chocolate-covered pretzels and brownie mix are all good options.
What do Italians like to get for Christmas?
Italians will love getting American-style food items, candy or print media like books and magazines. Keep in mind that your gifts don't have to be expensive or fancy; the best gifts are those that are indicative of American culture and representative of your home state or town.
Can an Italian citizen travel to the US?
So, if you are an Italian citizen, you can travel to America under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes Italy. However, you will need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding your flight.

What food do Italians like the most?
Top 25 Most Popular Italian Foods & DishesRisotto. Risotto is a typical northern Italian dish that can be cooked in an infinite number of ways. ... Pizza. Pizza. ... Pasta. Another symbol, a national icon, loved all over the world, is pasta. ... Gnocchi. ... Pesto alla Genovese. ... Lasagne. ... Gelato (Ice cream) ... Prosciutto di Parma (Parma Ham)More items...•
What food did Italians bring to America?
Here are 10 signature Italian contributions to American gastronomy.Pizza. ... Meatballs. ... Heros. ... Baked Clams. ... Mozzarella. ... Italian Roast Beef Hero. ... Meatball Hero. ... Ziti Slice.More items...•
What is the most important meal for Italians?
dinnerWhat do Italians eat for dinner? Dinner is very important to Italians. It is a time to join family or friends for a larger meal. If Italians are going out for a very casual dinner, they will go to a pizzeria or osteria (casual dining with lots of options).
What are the top 10 Italian foods?
Top 10 Traditional Foods in Italy1 Pizza.2 Pasta.3 Arancini.4 Focaccia.5 Italian Cheese.6 Lasagna.7 Ossobuco.8 Risotto.More items...•
What is the most popular Italian food in America?
popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a Italian dish. Find out more1 Garlic bread84%2 Lasagna82%3 Spaghetti with meatballs79%4 Ravioli77%5 Macaroni and cheese76%6 Pasta with Tomato Sauce75%7 Taco Salad74%8 Fettuccine Alfredo74%More items...
Why is Italian-American food so different?
The Defining Differences Once Italian-American cemented itself as a true cuisine in the United States, the differences between it and true Italian food emerged more clearly. Italian-American cooking tends to use much more garlic, sauce, cheese, and meat, while vegetables became less prominent within the dishes.
What do Italian eat for breakfast?
Cappuccino, Coffee and Croissant. A cornetto, together with an espresso or with a cappuccino becomes the joy of lots of Italians who love to have a breakfast in a café, in their favourite pastry shop or at the cafeteria just outside the office. ... Bread and Jam. ... Milk and Cereals. ... Yoghurt and Fruit.
What's a typical Italian breakfast?
Traditional breakfast drinks in Italian households are coffee, tea and cocoa milk for the kids and the main breakfast foods are bread with butter and jam, biscuits and cereals.
What is a traditional Italian lunch?
Ideally, lunch includes courses; a primo piattoor first course, like pasta, gnocchi, or rice, a protein, and vegetables. Normally, lunch is Italian's biggest and most sustaining meal of the day.
What is the number 1 Italian dish?
Pizza1. Pizza. Though a slab of flat bread served with oil and spices was around long before the unification Italy, there's perhaps no dish that is as common or as representative of the country as the humble pizza.
What do Italians like eating?
The most common foods in the Italian diet include pasta, cheese, vegetables, olive oil, meats, and wine. Italians give a lot of importance to fresh ingredients. They use seasonal ingredients to prepare meals. The Italian diet consists of breakfast (colazione), lunch (pranzo), and dinner (cena).
What are 3 popular foods in Italy?
Famous food and drink of ItalyPizza. Kicking things off with the big daddy of Italian cuisine, forget anything you once thought about pizza: here in Italy, pizza making is a form of art. ... Pasta. ... Risotto. ... Polenta and cured meats. ... Seafood. ... Gelato and Dolce. ... Coffee and famous tipples.
What did Italian immigrants bring to America?
Italian immigrants helped provide the labor for American factories and mines and helped build roads, dams, tunnels, and other infrastructure. Their work provided them a small economic foothold in American society and allowed them to provide for their families, which stood at the core of Italian-American life.
How did Italian food influence America?
One of most notable ways Italian food changed in the United States was the incorporation of larger quantities of meat. Italian immigrants earned higher wages in America, allowing them to buy more meat. It is for this reason that meatballs are so much larger in the United States than in Italy.
How was Italian food introduced to America?
Italian immigrants brought their culinary traditions to the East Coast in the late 19th and early 20th century. They created started creating dishes using classic recipes from home and newer ingredients available to them in the US.
How did Italian food became popular in America?
As immigrants from the different regions of Italy settled throughout the various regions of the United States, many brought with them a distinct regional Italian culinary tradition. Many of these foods and recipes developed into new favorites for the townspeople and later for Americans nationwide.
Can you travel to the USA with VWP?
You can visit America as a tourist for vacations to visit a family member or friend. The VWP also allows you to travel to USA for medical treatment and to participate in social events hosted by social organizations.
Can an Italian citizen travel to America?
So, if you are an Italian citizen, you can travel to America under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes Italy. However, you will need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding your flight. The entire ESTA process can be completed online.
How to give a group photo in Rome?
Then, take it to a place where you can have the photo printed to put in the frame and give the framed photo to them as your gift!
Can Italians bring chocolates?
Don't bring chocolates -- many Italians think American chocolate is too sweet and has a funny taste (I am one of them). If your relatives speak English, a couple of good books could also be a good idea. 2. Re: Need suggestions on gifts to bring to Italian family.
What to bring to Italy for American travelers?
For American travelers seeking the perfect gift to bring to people in Italy, rest assured that there are plenty of options. Italians will love getting American-style food items, candy or print media like books and magazines. Keep in mind that your gifts don't have to be expensive or fancy; the best gifts are those that are indicative of American culture and representative of your home state or town.
What are some good gifts for Italians?
Another great American gift idea for Italians is candy, cookies or other types of desserts. There are lots of candies and desserts from the U.S. that you aren't able to find in Italy. The sky's the limit: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, cookie dough, chocolate-covered pretzels and brownie mix are all good options.
How do Italians show respect?
Italians show respect for others by dressing well and appropriately. Do not wear loungewear or pajamas outside of your bedroom — it will be seen as disrespectful both to yourself and others. Bring an empty suitcase and purchase your clothes while in Italy for a more authentic look and some dashing souvenirs.
Can you bring meat from Italy?
When in doubt, go local. If there's a regional specialty or other local food item that's popular in your hometown or state (like Tex-Mex food from Texas, cheese curds from Wisconsin or maple syrup from Vermont), this makes for a fantastic gift for people from Italy. Just keep in mind that the EU does have strict veterinary standards when it comes to bringing in certain food items, so any fresh meat or dairy products are a no-go.
Can you drink cappuccino after 11?
Learn how and when to order cappuccino. Italians wouldn't be caught dead drinking a cappuccino after 11 a.m. and nor should you. An espresso, however, is perfectly acceptable since there's no milk to affect the digestive system. Order your cappuccino in Italian: "Una cappuccino, per favore.".
Can you bring American food as a gift?
And of course, you can't go wrong with bringing 'American food' as a gift. Any food items that are quintessentially "American" (or considered American by the culture at large) will do nicely. Cream cheese, chip brands like Doritos or Pringles and Chex-Mix are all popular foods to bring to Italy.
What kind of syrup is used in Italy?
People often recommend things like peanut butter and maple syrup. These are readily available in Italy, but they are in very low demand because Italians generally prefer Nutella to peanut butter and they don't put any kind of syrup on anything.
Is pecan common in Italy?
Pecans are not as common in Italy as in the US, and once I brought some back from the US with me and they aroused a little mild interest because most people hadn't seen them and inside they looked like walnuts although outside they were entirely different. Maybe some pecans would be an idea.
Is it hard to get a hostess gift in Italy?
There is almost nothing from the US that's hard to get in Italy, and if there is, it's because Italians don't care for it. I suggest bringing the kind of thing you'd bring as a hostess gift to someone in the US, just making sure it's not hard to carry.
Can you bring a gift to Italy from America?
1. Re: Gifts to bring to Italy from America. There is almost nothing from the US that's hard to get in Italy, and if there is, it's because Italians don't care for it. I suggest bringing the kind of thing you'd bring as a hostess gift to someone in the US, just making sure it's not hard to carry.
