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I pasti giornalieri / The daily meals

Orari dei pasti | Meal Times

The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson

  • La colazione [The breakfast (usually light: coffee, pastry)]
  • Lo spuntino (The mid-morning snack)
  • Il pranzo [The lunch (main meal of the day, around 12:30–2 PM)]
  • La merenda [The afternoon snack (around 4–5 PM)]
  • La cena [The dinner (lighter than lunch, around 7:30–9 PM]
  • L’aperitivo [Pre-dinner drinks & snacks (around 6–8 PM]

1. La colazione | The breakfast

The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson

  • Cappuccino e cornetto [Cappuccino (espresso with frothy milk) and a croissant-like pastry (often filled with jam, cream, or Nutella)]
  • Biscotti e caffè (Cookies and coffee)
  • Yogurt e frutta [Yogurt & Fruit (a lighter option, especially in warmer months]

2. Lo spuntino | The mid-morning snack

The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson
The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson

  1. Lo spuntino Salato (The savory snack)
    • Panino semplice (con prosciutto crudo, cotto, formaggio o mortadella).
    • Simple sandwich (with raw ham, cooked ham, cheese, or mortadella).
    • Tramezzino (sandwich triangolare con tonno, uova, pomodoro o mozzarella).
    • Tramezzino (triangular sandwich with tuna, egg, tomato, or mozzarella).
    • Taralli (tipici del Sud Italia, simili a cracker speziati).
    • Taralli (typical of Southern Italy, similar to spiced crackers).
    • Bruschetta [pane tostato con olio e pomodoro (più comune al Sud)].
    • Bruschetta [toasted bread with oil and tomato (more common in the South)].
    • Fette biscottate con formaggio spalmabile (come Philadelphia o stracchino).
    • Rusks with spreadable cheese (such as Philadelphia or stracchino).
  2. Lo spuntino Dolce (The sweet snack)
    • Cornetto o Brioche (Croissant or Brioche)
    • Merendine (snack confezionati come Pan di Stelle, Buondì Motta, o Girelle).
    • Snacks (packaged snacks such as Pan di Stelle, Buondì Motta, or Girelle).
    • Biscotti (con cioccolato, nocciole o semplici frollini).
    • Biscuits (with chocolate, hazelnuts, or simple shortbread).
    • Yogurt (alla frutta o bianco con miele e noci).
    • Fruit or plain yogurt with honey and nuts.
    • Frutta fresca (fresh fruit)
    • Pane e nutella / marmellata (Bread and nutella / jam)

3. Il pranzo | The lunch

The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson
The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson
The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson
The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson
The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson

  1. Antipasto (opzionale) [Appetizers (optional)]
    • Affettati misti (prosciutto crudo, salame, coppa)
    • Mixed cold cuts (raw ham, salami, coppa)
    • Formaggi (pecorino, mozzarella, gorgonzola)
    • Cheeses (pecorino, mozzarella, gorgonzola)
    • Verdure sott’olio/sott’aceto (melanzane, carciofi, olive)
    • Vegetables in oil/vinegar (aubergines, artichokes, olives)
    • Bruschette (pane tostato con pomodoro, olio, aglio)
    • Bruschetta (toasted bread with tomato, oil, garlic)
  2. Primo piatto (pasta, riso, minestra o zuppa) [First course (pasta, rice, soup, or minestrone)]
    • Pasta al sugo (pomodoro fresco e basilico)
    • Pasta with sauce (fresh tomato and basil)
    • Pasta all’amatriciana (guanciale, pecorino, pomodoro)
    • Pasta all’amatriciana (bacon, pecorino, tomato)
    • Risotto ai funghi o allo zafferano
    • Mushroom or saffron risotto
    • Gnocchi al pomodoro o al pesto
    • Gnocchi with tomato or pesto
    • Minestrone (con verdure e legumi)
    • Minestrone (with vegetables and legumes)
    • Lasagne o cannelloni
    • Lasagna or cannelloni (richer, for special occasions)
  3. Secondo piatto (carne, pesce) [Second course (meat, fish)]
    • Pollo alla cacciatora
    • Cotoletta alla milanese
    • Arrosto di vitello o maiale
    • Fritto misto di mare
    • Orata al forno con patate
    • Spaghetti alle vongole
  4. Contorno (verdure crude o cotte) [Side dish (raw or cooked vegetables)]
    • Insalata verde (olio e aceto)
    • Green salad (oil and vinegar)
    • Verdure grigliate (melanzane, zucchine, peperoni)
    • Grilled vegetables (eggplant, courgettes, peppers)
    • Patate arrosto o purè
    • Roasted or mashed potatoes
    • Spinaci saltati in padella
    • Pan-fried spinach
  5. Dolce e Caffè (Sweet and Coffee)
    • Tiramisù
    • Panna cotta
    • Crostata (marmellata o ricotta)
    • Tart (jam or ricotta)
    • Caffè espresso (Espresso coffee)
    • Gelato (Ice Cream)

4. La cena | The dinner

The Italian daily meals vocabulary lesson

  1. Pasta semplice (Simple pasta)
    • Aglio e olio (garlic, oil, chili)
    • Pasta al pomodoro fresco (fresh tomato sauce)
    • Pasta e fagioli (pasta & bean soup)
  2. Zuppe (Soups)
    • Minestrone (vegetable soup)
    • Ribollita (Tuscan bread soup)
  3. Frittata con zucchine o cipolle (Omelette with courgettes or onions)
  4. Pizza (Margherita, Diavola, Prosciutto e funghi) [Pizza (Margherita, Diavola, Ham and Mushrooms)]
  5. Affettati e formaggi: Cured meats (prosciutto, salame) + cheese (mozzarella, stracchino) [Cold cuts and cheeses: Cured meats (ham, salami) + cheese (mozzarella, stracchino)]
  6. Insalata caprese: Mozzarella, tomatoes, basil (Caprese salad: mozzarella, tomatoes, basil)

Next lesson:

Le bevande / The drinks