The Best Things About Being Italian and Growing Up Italian

Being Italian is a unique experience that comes with its own set of perks, some expected, and others you don’t realize until you’re older (or when friends start wondering why their childhoods didn’t come with endless pasta). Growing up Italian, you’re part of a culture that’s all about family, food, and a little bit of drama. Here are the best things about being Italian and growing up in an Italian household, in all its delicious and hilarious glory.

Food, Glorious Food!

Let’s start with the obvious, the food. Growing up Italian means you don’t just eat, you feast. Every meal is a multi-course event, and Sundays? Forget about it! Sunday dinners could last four hours, starting with antipasto, followed by pasta, then a meat course, and finally dessert. And let’s not forget the espresso and limoncello to finish it off. Your friends grew up with boxed mac and cheese while you were having homemade lasagna layered with the perfect amount of ricotta and mozzarella. The best part? There was always too much food, which meant leftovers for days (assuming the family didn’t eat it all in one sitting). And heaven help you if you said you weren’t hungry—your nonna would just start listing everything in the fridge, forcing you to eat whether you liked it or not. Spoiler alert: you liked it.

Pasta choice- Tirrena Pasta 

Oil Choices: Laudemio Frescobaldi Extra Virgin Olive Oil  and Bertolli d’Italia Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Charcuterie Boards? Italians Have Been Doing That for Ages!

Before charcuterie boards became the Instagram sensation they are today, Italians were way ahead of the game. Long before it was trendy to lay out perfectly arranged meats and cheeses on a wooden board, Italian households were serving up antipasto spreads that would put any modern charcuterie board to shame. At every family gathering, the table would be overflowing with an array of cured meats like prosciutto and salami, along with chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino, and mozzarella. And let’s not forget the olives….bowls and bowls of them. Add in some marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, and please don’t forget the bread, and you had a spread fit for a king. So, while everyone else is just now catching on to the charcuterie board craze, Italians have been casually nailing it for generations—no fancy hashtags required!

Cheese choice- Monti Trentini Cheese 

Balsalmic Choice- Ponti Balsamic Vinegar

The Family Drama (But in a Fun Way)

If you grew up Italian, you know that family drama is part of the package. But not the heavy, deep stuff (though that happens too)—I’m talking about the kind of drama where someone’s aunt isn’t speaking to someone’s cousin because they didn’t bring the right bottle of wine to Easter last year. You’re bound to witness at least one shouting match over who makes the best sauce, but don’t worry, it’ll be forgotten by the time dessert is served. Everyone will be laughing and hugging like nothing ever happened. Italians love hard, argue hard, and make up just as hard. Plus, being part of a big, loud family means you never have a dull moment.

You Never Leave a Family Gathering Hungry

This one goes hand in hand with the food obsession. Italians have this deep-rooted belief that no one should ever leave their house on an empty stomach. At family gatherings, even if you’re only stopping by “for a quick visit,” you’ll be force-fed a full meal. The moment you step through the door, there’s a nonna or aunt somewhere in the house telling you to sit down and have some pasta or meatballs. “Mangia!” is practically a household greeting. It’s impossible to say no, and to be honest, why would you want to? Whether it’s Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes or a simple Sunday dinner, you’re leaving stuffed to the gills, guaranteed.

Everyone in Your Family is a Professional Chef

It doesn’t matter if they’ve ever worked in a restaurant or not—if you’re Italian, everyone in your family is a culinary expert. Nonna’s sauce recipe? Perfection. Your uncle’s homemade sausage? To die for. Even your cousins have secret family recipes they swear by. And the best part is that there’s always someone in the family willing to show you how to cook. The kitchen is the heart of every Italian home, and if you’re lucky, you’ll learn a thing or two about making the best pasta from scratch or kneading dough for the fluffiest focaccia. The kitchen is where the real bonding happens—because nothing says “I love you” in an Italian household quite like sharing a family recipe. You’re taught to cook at an early age! Watch mygranddaughter making her first Lasagna here 

The Traditions (and Superstitions)

Growing up Italian means you’re part of some long-standing family traditions, and with those come superstitions that you might not even question until someone outside the family points them out. Did you ever hang a red horn (the cornicello) in your car for good luck? Or avoid putting a hat on the bed because it’s “bad luck”? Welcome to the Italian way! But it’s not just about superstition—Italian traditions are woven into every aspect of life. From making wine in the basement with your grandpa to spending hours making 300 meatballs for a family celebration, these rituals bring everyone together. And while the traditions might seem over-the-top to outsiders, they are what make growing up Italian so special. You feel connected to something bigger—your heritage, your family, and the many generations that came before you.

Prosecco is a tradition- Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco DOC Brut  

Bonus: You Know How to Talk with Your Hands

This list wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging one of the most iconic things about being Italian—talking with your hands. It’s a well-known stereotype, but trust me, it’s true. When you’re passionate about something (which is pretty much everything when you’re Italian), your hands take on a life of their own. Need to emphasize a point? Throw in a hand gesture. Arguing about soccer? More hand gestures. And it’s not just about expression—it’s practically a language on its own. If you grew up Italian, you definitely know how to use your hands to make your point loud and clear (whether anyone asked for your opinion or not).

Wine at Every Meal, of Course!

Growing up Italian, there’s one thing you can always count on: wine is a staple at every meal, no questions asked. Whether it’s a casual Wednesday night dinner or a big family gathering, there’s always a bottle (or three) on the table. And let’s be honest, it’s not just for the adults. At a certain age, you’re handed your very own tiny wine glass—usually with a bit of watered-down red wine—and you feel like you’ve officially made it to the grown-up table. Those first sips? Pure sophistication. It’s just part of the culture. And if company is over, the bottles keep flowing—wine, limoncello, maybe even a little grappa to really finish things off with a kick. You learn early on that wine isn’t just a drink, it’s a way of life. Cheers to that!

Wine choices for this week- Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino, Donnafugata Mille e una Notte

Alcohol: The Italian Cure-All

But let’s talk about how alcohol in an Italian household isn’t just for sipping at the table. Oh no. It’s also the cure for practically every ailment under the sun. Got a cold? Time for a hot toddy with lemon and whiskey. Have an earache? No problem, just pop some vodka drops in there. Coughing up a storm? Brandy will fix that. And don’t even get me started on toothaches—whiskey is the go-to, but not for drinking; it’s for swishing around to numb the pain (though a little sip to take the edge off can’t hurt, right?). Basically, if it hurts, there’s an alcohol-based solution somewhere in the family playbook. Forget about over-the-counter meds—your nonna’s got a bottle of something strong that’ll cure whatever ails you. That’s just good, old-fashioned Italian medicine!

It’s for cooking, sipping, and healing – Italicus , Savoia,