Italian Word Glossary

This glossary is still in the works

  abbacchio - (ah-BAH-kyo)- Tender young spring lamb 
               often weighing no more than 6 pounds. 

      
  al dente - (ahl-DEN-tay)- "to the tooth." Term used
              to indicate that macaroni is not overcooked.

  al forno - (ahl-FOR-no)- "in the oven."

  anaci - (AH-nah-chee)- Anise.

  antipasto - (ahn-tee-PAH-sto)- "before meal." Term
               used for appetizers.

  arancini - (ah-rahn-CHEE-nee)- "little oranges." 
              Name given to a Sicilian rice and meat
              dish.

  baccala' - (bah-kah-LAH)- Dried salted fish
              usually cod fish.

      
  basilico - (bah-SEE-lee-ko)- Sweet Basil

  biscotto - (bee-SCUT-toe)- "twice-baked." Biscuit.

  bistecca - (bee-STEK-kah)- "beefsteak."

  buon gusto - (bwon-GOOS-toe)- "good taste."

  cacciatora - (kah-chyah-TOE-rah)- "hunter style."

  caffe' e latte - (kah-FAY-ay-LAH-tay)- "coffee and
                    milk." The customary Italian break-
                    fast beverage, consisting of half
                    milk, half black-roast Italian
                    coffee.

  calzone - (kahl-TSO-nay)- "trousers." "one leg of a
             pair of pants." Dough stuffed with meat,  
             cheese and spices.

  cannelloni - (Kah-nay-LO-nee)- "big pipes." A large 
                round macaroni usually stuffed with meat
                or other ingredients.

  cannoli - (Kah-No-lee)- "pipes." Sicilian pastry.

  capellini d'angelo - (kah-pel-LEE-nee d'AHN-jay-lo)
                        "angel's hair." thin delicate
                         macaroni product.

  caponatina - (kah-po-nah-TEE-nah)- A Sicilian 
                combination of pickled vegetables.

  cassata - (kah-SAH-tah)- An ice cream, similar to
             spumone.

  cassata siciliana - (see-chee-LYAH-nah)- A rich
                       Sicilian cake.

  castagnaccio - (kah-stah-NYAH-cho)- "chestnut." 
                  Chestnut flour pie, to which almonds,
                  pine nuts, walnuts and raisins are added.

  ceci - (CHAY-chee)- Chick peas, garbanzo beans.

  cotoletta - (koh-toe-LET-tah)-  Cutlet or chop.

  cozza - (KO-tsah)- Mussel.

  crostino - (crust-EE-no)- "crust." Bread that is spread 
              with anything and then toasted.

  gelato - (jay-LAH-toe)- "frozen." Ice cream or sherbet.

  gnocchi - (NYOK-kee)- Dumplings made of wheat or potato 
             flour.

  granita - (gra-NEE-tah)- Name of Italian Ice.

  marinara - (mah-ree-NAH-rah)- "sailor." Meaning "sailor 
              style."

  maritato - (mah-ree-TAH-toe)- "married."  As applied to 
              a dish, its means "combined."

  minestrone - (mee-nest-ROE-nay)- "big soup."

  mozzarella - (mo-tsah-REL-lah)- "to chop off."

  pastina - (pah-STEEN-ah)- "little dough." Tiny macaroni
             for soup.

  pesce - (PAY-shay)- Fish.