Glossary of Italian Words and Terms

Abruzzo = A region in Central Italy, bordered to the west by the Apennine Mountains and to the east by the Adriatic Sea.

Acedo balsamico = A sweet, traditional Italian vinegar with a syrupy consistency due to a long aging process.

Adriatic Sea = An arm of the Mediterranean Sea bordering the Italian east coast.

Agnello = Lamb

Amaro = Bittersweet liqueur made from herbs.

Ambrosia = From Greek mythology, “the food of the gods”.

Amici = Friends

Antipasti = Appetizers served before a meal.

Antipasti de mare = Sea food appetizers.

Antipasti de terra = Appetizers from the land such as cheeses, meats, vegetables.

Apennines = The Mountain range that passes through the center of Italy, 1200 km. from north to south, Mt. Corno Grande is the highest point, 2,900 meters.

Aperitivo = A pre-dinner drink accompanied by small snacks.

Apericena = A more substantial form of aperitivo, combining finger food and a small meal.

Aperto = Open

Arrosticini =Skewered, roasted lamb, a traditional dish from the mountainous regions of Abruzzo.

Batuto = A minced mixture of onions, carrots celery and herbs used for the base in sauces.

Bene = Good - an adverb

Biera alla Spina = Tap beer

Biscotti = A hard, crunchy, cookie with almonds or candied fruit, baked twice.

Bliss Point = The unhealthy combination of sugar, salt, fat, that makes a food maximally appealing and irresistible, leading to compulsive eating.

Brodetto = A rich fish stew- The signature dish of coastal Abruzzo.

Bruschetta = An appetizer of grilled bread with toppings of tomatoes, vegetables, beans, cured meat or cheese.

Buon appetito = Enjoy your meal!

Buona = Good – an adjective

Campanilismo = Local or neighborhood pride

Cantucci = Twice-baked Italian almond cookies (the same as biscotti )

Carciofi = Artichokes

Carne = Meat

Casa = House

Casereccio = Homemade

Castel Caldaresco = An early 15th century Renaissance castle in Vasto on Piazza dei Barbacani. 

Cena = Supper

Centro Storico = The historical center of a town, “the old town”

Cerasuolo = A rosé wine

Chiesa = Church

Chitarra = A traditional spaghetti made by pressing the pasta dough through a wooden frame strung with wire.

Chiuso = Closed

Cibo = Food

Cibo Locale = Locally produced food.

Cibo Mediterraneo = Mediterranean diet

Cin Cin = Cheers! A toast

Colazione = Breakfast  

Contorni = A side dish, typically vegetables

Coperto = Cover Charge

Corno Grande = The highest peak in the Apennines at 2900 meters.

Cotto = Cooked, as in prosciutto crudo (boiled ham).

Crostini = Small, thin, slices of toasted baguette.

Crudo = Raw, even a generic term for dried ham (prosciutto crudo).

Cucina Povera = Food of the poor.

Culatello = A prime cured ham.

Diomedes = A hero in Greek mythology. Said to have founded Vasto.

DOC =  Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which translates to "Controlled Designation of Origin". It is a quality and authenticity certification for Italian wines and some cheeses. 

Dolce = Sweets, dessert

DOP = Denominazione di Origine Protetta," which translates to "Protected Designation of Origin". This strict certification guarantees that a food product is produced, processed, and packaged entirely within a specific geographical area, by traditional methods with local ingredients. 

Enoteca = A wine shop, a place to buy and taste wine.

Extra virgin olive oil = Cold pressed oil of the highest quality, not over one year of age.

Fare la Scarpetta = Literally means "to make the little shoe" and refers to the act of using a piece of bread to scrape up the remaining sauce on your plate.

Fresca = Fresh 

Formaggio = Cheese

Forte e Gentile = Strong and Gentle, the motto of the Abruzzo Region.

Frutta = Fruit

Gabriele Rosetti = Poet and statesman born in Vasto in 1783, exiled to England for his involvement in the revolutionary movement for Italian unification. 

Gelateria = Ice cream shop.

Gelato = Ice cream

Giardini = Garden

Glera = The variety of grapes used in the distillation of Prosecco.

Granita = Crushed ice with fruit syrup, popular in Sicily. 

Guanciale = Cured meat from the jowl of swine.

Guide Rouge de Michelin = An annual guide to the world’s "best" restaurants and hotels.

Impasto = Dough

Insalata = Salad

In Vino Veritas = From Latin, “in wine there is truth”.

Limoncello = A sweet liqueur made from lemons.

Maiella Massive = The high mountains in the Abruzzo Apennines. 

Marinara = A sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions.

Mediterranean diet = fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil 

Monte Amaro = The highest peak in the "Maiella Massif".

Montepulchiano = The most common strain of grapes in the Abruzzo Region, from which the Montepulchiano d’Abruzzo wine is made.

Mozzarella = A soft fresh cheese made from buffalo or cow’s milk.

Odori = Ingredients such as celery, carrots, onions, parsley that give flavor and fragrance to a sauce.

Orto = A vegetable garden.

Ottimo = Optimal, or regarding food exceptional or excellent.

Pagare alla Romana = Divide a bill equally. (pay like the Romans)

Palazzo D’Avalos = A palace in the historical center of Vasto and the town’s main landmark. It now houses archeological and art museums.

Pancetta = Cured meat from the underbelly of swine.

Pane = Bread

Panetteria = Bakery

Passegiata = An evening stroll.

Pasta = Dough

Pastificio = A shop that makes and sells fresh, homemade pasta.

Pasta mista = A blend of different pasta types, scraps that were once purchased by the poor.

Pasticceria = Pastry shop

Pescatrice = Monkfish, Anglerfish

Pecora - Sheep

Pesce = Fish

Piatti = The courses of a meal, literally dishes.

Piccolo = Small

Pizzaiolo = Pizza baker

Polenta = Coarsely ground cornmeal or semolina

Polpetta = Meatball

Pomodoro = Tomato

Pranzo = Lunch

Primo = The first course of a meal

Prosciutto = Any type of ham, either dry-cured (prosciutto crudo) or cooked (prosciutto cotto).

Prosecco = A sparkling wine from the Veneto and Friuli regions of Northern Italy.

Punta Penna = A long sandy beach in the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve outside of Vasto.

Ragù = A rich slow cooked meat sauce.

Ricetta = Recipe

Ripiene = Stuffed or filled.

Salsa = A generic term for sauce.

Sapori = Tastes, flavors

Secondo = The second course of a meal that usually consists of meat, fish, or dairy products. 

Sepino = An ancient Roman municipality, now a well-preserved archeological site.

Seppie = Cuttle fish, squid

Small Scale Business = Often managed by the owner and his family with few employees, selling local produce, products or services.

Sofrito = A flavor base made by slowly sautéing finely diced onions, carrots, and celery. 

Spiagia = Beach

Sugo = A traditional tomato sauce.

Tårta = Cake in Swedish.

Tartufo = Truffle

Trabocco = A traditional wooden fishing pier used to lower nets into coastal waters.

Transhumance = The seasonal movement of sheep from the Abruzzo mountain pastures to the coastal plains.

Traturro = Shepard’s tracks used to move herds from mountain pastures to coastal plains.

Trebbiano = A prolific green grape from which the white wine, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is made.

Vasto = A town on the southern coast of Abruzzo once a Roman municipality that first dates to the time of Homer’s Odessey.

Vecchio = Aged, old

Ventracina = A renowned pork salami from the Vasto region, especially the hill villages of Guilmi and Carrunchio.

Vino = Wine

Vongole = Small Mediterranean clams

World Heritage Site = A place or building designated by UNESCO, to be of outstanding “Universal Value" to all of humanity”.