“A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.” — Anon 

As I sit on my couch, I ponder what scrumptious dessert I shall eat after my dinner. There is no doubt that I will choose a biscotti. The dish I chose for the critical cookbook is the biscotti. When my grandmother had friends over after church on Sundays, the first things she made were biscotti because they were a crowd favorite and that they were able to be prepared ahead of time. They will forever be a part of my family tradition! Biscotti means “twice baked” in Italian (Cumo 116). They were made back in the eighteenth century for the soldiers who fought in the Roman battles because of their long shelf life. They eventually became a part of the Tuscany tradition. Biscotti are baked twice so they develop a sweet taste and crunchy texture. People in Italy find sweets, like biscotti, a form of tradition and not so much a calorie concern. They are enjoyed with tea, cappuccino, coffee, and other beverages. Biscotti can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. The biscotti represents a figure of social gatherings, friendships, gossip, and travel.

The first recipe documented was from the eighteenth century by Amadio Baldanzi. In Prato, the recipe is on display at a museum. Biscotti may be one of the oldest cookies around. It is a low-moisture cookie that stores very well. Italians did not have refrigerators back in the second century so these were perfect for them to take on their long excursions. Biscotti have little sugar and some spices. They were made for travelers who carried food to the Roman Legions battle. The invention of the biscotti stems from the Romans and their cultural needs for a food that would last time a long time as they traveled to far places. They needed a food that would last a long time so they would not starve on their journey. The biscotti eventually became a part of Tuscany. The biscotti was made to have long shelf life because of its origin. The biscotti is about the convenience and created to travel with back in the day when there was nothing to keep food items cold (Cumo 116).

Biscotti are baked twice in the oven to make them have such a savory flavor and texture. The loaves are cooked once in the oven, and then once the loaves are cut, they are baked a second time for a crispy texture. They can be paired with wine, coffee, tea, and cappuccino. The biscotti can be eaten for breakfast or dessert because of its sweet and bread-like texture. The dough can be anisette, amaretto, and lemon-flavored. Depending on one’s own preference, almond extract can be added in replacement of the anise. People in Italy enjoy eating biscotti over a nice warm cup of cappuccino, coffee, or tea as they gossip about the social life around them. Biscotti develop a bond among people when they meet and gather to enjoy each other’s company.

Michael Pollan highlights traditions like that of the biscotti while critiquing what he calls the American “national eating disorder”: “Nor would a culture be shocked to discover that there are other cultures like Italy and France that decide their dinner questions on a basis of such quaint and unscientific criteria as pleasure and tradition. Eat all manner of unhealthy foods and low and behold end up healthier and happier than us” (Pollan). In Italy, biscotti are a tradition and very delicious. People in Italy do not see biscotti as fattening because it has always been a tradition to eat them with tea or cappuccino. In Italy, people find fresh produce to cook for all meals unlike people in America who choose McDonald’s instead. As Barbara Kingsolver mentioned in her book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, eating the proper foods that are in season are crucial to a good diet. People in Italy do just that. They have well-portioned and well-balanced meals that are all freshly made with fresh ingredients. In the article, Advice From Italian Nutritionists: Eat Cookies for Breakfast by Amanda Ruggeri, she discusses how the Italians choose to eat biscotti. They surprisingly have less sugar than the cereal we eat here in America. Biscotti were made for the Roman soldiers travelling long distances because they have a long shelf life. When the soldiers had to travel long distances, their food had to last very long so they would not starve to death. They could eat them a week later and they would taste just the same. Biscotti are baked twice so they have a crispy texture and have hints of spices for a savory sweet taste. Some people like to add chocolate chips, and almonds, to provide an even sweeter taste. Some like to eat biscotti for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert.  Biscotti represent gossip, social life, friendships, and social gatherings. They allow people to sit around a table with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or cappuccino and talk about their lives or what is going on in their social world. People in America tend to be confused on how others who live in Italy and France are not obese. It is all about portions and well-balanced meals but America tends to act out of gluttony by doing the opposite. We should learn from other countries like Italy, because they understand the concept of small portions but always find a way to enjoy every bite of their biscotti without becoming overweight.

Sources:

Cumo, Christopher. “Foods That Changed History: How Foods Shaped Civilization from the Ancient World to the Present.” Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2017.

“History of Biscotti.” Everything Biscotti Recipe Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

“Karen Chandler (karenmchandler).” Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

Kingsolver, Barbara, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle a Year of Food Life. Place of Publication Not Identified: Clipper, 2009. Print.

Lum, Linda. “All About Biscotti: Fun Facts and Recipes for a Favorite Italian Cookie.” Delishably. Delishably, 21 Feb. 2017. Web. 02 May 2017.

Ruggeri, Amanda. “Advice From Italian Nutritionists: Eat Cookies for Breakfast.” The Cut. N.p., 01 Oct. 2014. Web. 17 May 2017.

“The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” The Omnivore’s Dilemma | Michael Pollan. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2017.

“Top Biscotti Recipes And Cooking Tips.” IFood.tv. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.