Expertlatin
Primi are soups, pastas, and rice dishes. Secondi are fish- (pesce) and meat- (carne) based dishes, and are often heartier. Finally cortorni, usually appearing at the end of the menu, are seasonal vegetable side dishes.
- Should you order primi and secondi?
- How does primi and secondi work?
- Do Italians have primi and secondi?
- Why do Italians have primi and secondi?
Should you order primi and secondi?
You don't have to order every single course, but the general rule of thumb is to order at least two (and you can split one of them). So a couple, for example, might share one antipasto, order individual primi, and then share a secondo.
How does primi and secondi work?
The primo: In Italy, pasta is a first course, or primo, served as an appetizer, not as the main event. Soup, rice, and polenta are the other options for the primo. The secondo: The main course is called il secondo, or the second course. Chicken, meat, or fish are the usual choices, and portions are generally small.
Do Italians have primi and secondi?
Go to a restaurant in Italy and you will find the menu structured like this: Antipasti (before the meal), Primi (first courses), Secondi (second courses), Contorni (side dishes), and Dolci (desserts). What you will find on the menu will depend on where you are in Italy since Italian food is very regional.
Why do Italians have primi and secondi?
For lunch you will have a plate of pasta (a primo), cleared away once it is done to make room for the next plate (a secondo) which will have a meat or fish on it. After the meat comes the salad or vegetables (contorno).
