About Italian Food: And a Putela Is?

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Italian Food Italian Food Quick/Easy Recipes Le Basi Classic Recipes From Kyle Phillips, Your Guide to Italian Food. A reader recently asked what a putela is, since it is in the introduction to a recipe, and I had to go looking, to make certain I had been correct in interpreting it to mean a girl and not something more vulgar. It does mean girl, in the dialects of Venice and some of the surrounding cities, and derives from Putto, or cherub (or baby). Reading further, I discovered that Carlo Goldoni wrote a play entitled La Putta Ornorata in 1749, and that even now when Venetians are discussing the sex of a child on the way, they say, Mama Bea, Xe Na Putea (a glowingly beautiful mom means it's a girl). I can understand the reader's concerns, however, because putea or putela could be easily misunderstood/misinterpreted in other parts of Italy. The joys of living where there are many local argots! Almost Wordless Wednesday: Risotto al Vino... Risotto al vino, made with red wine, is common throughout northern Italy, and rightly so, because it is tasty. However, it's not particularly elegant... It's simply wine red. In short,... Read more Chianti Rufina, And To Go With It Chianti Rufina is the most interesting of the so-called "lesser" Chianti appellations (those covering areas outside the Chianti Classico zone). Chianti Rufina's wines tend to have distinctive, very well developed... Read more Venezia: City and Carnival (Foods) Carnevale, otherwise known as Mardigras or Shrove Tuesday, is -- officially -- the day before Ash Wednesday, a last occasion for a little merriment and some fine food before the... Read more Fish Recipes Italy has thousands of miles of coast line, and lakes and rivers too. Lots of ways to prepare a fish, everything from stuffing squid to roasting swordfish. And this brings us to... No, not Lent, but rather Valentine's day, because fish do have a reputation of, well, setting the stage for romance. One might start with: Gamberini in Sfoglia, puff pastry shrimp. Followed by either: Pasta la Salmone E Noci, pasta with smoked slamon & walnuts, OR Risotto ai gamberetti, risotto with shrimp. Next, Mormora, or Sea Bream, Baked in a packet and opened at table. Served with a simple tossed salad. The wine? Franciacorta, with its glorious sparkle. And to finish up, Zuppa Inglese alla Napoletana, a Neapolitan English Trifle. Italian Food Ads Italian Pasta Recipe Italian Dishes Italy Recipes Pasta Dish Italian Plates Featured Articles Meats: Rabbit with Anchovies & Almonds Vegetables: Pureed Cauliflower, Purea Di Cavolfiore Eggs: Asparagi in Salsa Gialla Cheese: Emilian-Style Sformato with Ham and Cheese Desserts: Oranges in Marsala, Arance al Marsala Wine: Vernaccia di San Gimignano   More from About.com Managing Dog Behavior Problems Understanding common dog behavior problems like barking, biting, and chewing is key to handling them appropriately. More > Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More > This newsletter is written by Kyle Phillips Italian Food Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Italian Food newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Dishes that Need Little Supervision Home-Style Roast Ossobuco La Genovese (A Neapolitan delight) Pastissada de Caval (or beef if you'd rather) Advertisement