Cook like the Romans do.
The historical city of Rome is known for its architecture, museums, and cuisine. Because of this there are areas of the city that are packed with tourists craning their necks to get a look at the incredible structures that the ancient Romans left behind for us to admire.
The Coliseum, Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon are just a few of the many awe-inspiring architectural feats that we cherish in this European capital. Rome has experienced history in a way that nowhere else in the world has and it’s impactful to learn about this history while visiting the city.
However, there are many other ways to experience Roman culture that are much more subtle and intimate. One of the best ways to embrace the culture is to eat, drink, and cook like the Romans do. The best way to do this is to venture outside of the popular tourist areas and into the areas where the locals inhabit. Visit the sprawling markets and buy the seasonal, fresh produce that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Most of the vegetables and fruits at the markets is grown in the surrounding Italian region of Lazio which makes it authentically Roman.
I don’t even have to mention that the absolute best way to learn how to cook like the Romans is to take a cooking class. I took a cooking class early on in my time living in Rome and it influenced how I ate for the rest of my trip and the rest of my life.
The instructor used produce I’d never heard of before and taught techniques that I never would have considered. I used these skills for the rest of my time living in Rome and I cooked most of my meals myself. Even though I wasn’t buying prepared meals I still felt like I was eating authentic Italian cuisine because I was using the local produce and the authentic cooking style of the modern Romans.
We can all agree that eating the food is one of the best ways to appreciate Italian culture and cooking it yourself is by far the best way to fully experience it. The skills and flavor profiles that I learned while cooking in Rome are some of the most impactful experiences I took away from my time living in Italy. I feel that this is the biggest way that I integrated myself into the local culture and that is the most important thing to me while traveling in a new place.
Take your experience into your own hands: sign up for a cooking class to build your understanding of the culture, your cooking ability, and your character.
