L'amore Italian Restaurant

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An Inside Look At How The Cannoli Was Created

Cannolis are revered far and wide as one of the tastiest Italian desserts.  Often topped with chocolate chips and chocolate drizzle, cannolis are hands-down one of the most delicious culinary concoctions in the world.  Here’s a quick look at the story behind the cannoli.

The cannoli started out as a dessert enjoyed by the Sicilians.  Culinary historians believe the cannoli was first made in Italy’s Messina and Palmero regions.  The Sicilians chose the word “cannoli” as it means “little tube” in the Sicilian language.  Cannolis are still quite popular in Sicily to this day with full-size cannolis available to locals and visitors.  In fact, plenty of Italians judge bakeries by the quality of their cannolis.

Historians who have studied Italy’s culinary development insist cannolis originated in the Palermo, Sicily commune of Piana Degli Albanesi.  However, some are adamant that this unique dessert has roots stemming all the way back to the point in time when the Arabs ruled the island.  Those who are inclined to believe myths, tales, and legends will find it interesting to learn Italian story-tellers say the cannoli’s origins date all the way back to an Arab prince’s concubine that made tasty desserts including a pastry shaped like a tube, filled with ricotta cheese, honey and almonds.  The other tale relating to the origin of the cannoli is centered on a convent positioned by a castle where nuns made a unique new pastry consisting of a shell known as “scoria” along with ricotta cheese, chocolate, sugar, and almonds in celebration of Carnevale.  Carnevale is the countrywide Italian celebration that takes place each year prior to the start of Lent.

Which of these legends is true?  No one is quite certain.  However, Italian historians insist each legend has elements of truth.  Historians typically agree the cannoli was created in or near the Italian city of Caltanissetta at some point between 827 and 1091.  There is also universal agreement that this amazing dessert was originally made by women.  Furthermore, even the most prideful of Italy’s culinary experts are willing to admit cannolis have Arabic roots.

Though cannoli recipes have evolved as time has progressed, there is no arguing the elements of the traditional cannoli recipe.  The traditional cannoli consists of a fried pastry dough shell shaped like a tube that is filled with creamy ricotta cheese, chocolate filling, and candied fruit.  The ricotta cheese is essential to traditional cannolis as it imparts a creamy, sweet, and tangy flavor infusion into the cannoli.  This flavor is perfectly balanced with that of chocolate and sugar, ultimately creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

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The History of the Kalamata Olive

Kalamata olives have emerged as the most popular of all olives.  From olive hummus to olive tapenades, olive bruschettas, and beyond, the kalamata olive is featured in all sorts of tasty concoctions, most of which have Italian or Greek roots.  These flavorful olives have also made their way into pasta sauces, salads, and other appetizers and entrees. 

The olive tree dates back thousands of years.  Culinary historians insist olive trees first grew in the Eastern Mediterranean region.  In fact, the olive tree was even provided as a prize for Olympic winners.  However, most people don’t know much about the nuanced history of the kalamata olive.  Revered far and wide for their delicious taste and nutritional properties, kalamata olives are harvested in Messinia Peloponnese and Laconia.  These delicate olives are hand-picked to prevent bruising.  Kalamata olives are quite bitter when first plucked from trees so it takes some time for them to develop their amazing flavor.  Most olive experts place kalamata olives in a brine solution for an extended period of time so they can ferment that much more quickly and thoroughly.  It takes upwards of several months for the fermentation process to complete. 

Also known as Greek olives, kalamata olives are named after the town of Kalamata where they grow between the glorious Taygetos’ hillsides and the Messinian Gulf.  Taygetos is Peloponnese’s highest mountain in all of southern Greece.  This is the perfect place to grown kalamata olives as the area has warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and water springs.  This region is also highlighted by additional amazing natural features such as vast gorges, tall mountains, and beautiful sandy beaches.  The land in and near the town of Kalamata has been extensively developed throughout the years, serving as a bountiful region for kalamata olives as well as other fruits and vegetables.  In fact, some culinary specialists and historians have grown fond of referring to the town of Kalamata as Peloponnese’s Marseille. 

Now that you know the background of kalamata olives, it is time to taste these flavorful olives in the form of an appetizer or entrée.  Some even choose to eat kalamata olives one by one with their hands, enjoying a flavor infusion that pleases the palate and lifts the spirit.  Whether you prefer kalamata olives in salads, pasta entrees, as a pizza topping, in bruschetta, tapenades, or on their own, we compliment you on your good taste.  

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The Story Of The Tomato And Why It Is Essential For Delicious Italian Food

Chances are the dish you order tonight will feature the tomato.  From tomato sauce used in pasta entrées to tomato sauce specific to pizza, diced tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, and beyond, tomatoes serve a wide variety of purposes in Italian food.  However, most people don’t know much about the tomato’s origin.

The Tomato’s Roots

Most people are surprised to learn tomatoes have been available to Italians for only a couple hundred years.  In fact, no one in Italy knew about the tomato prior to the Columbian Exchange.  The tomato was first cultivated in South America and Central America.  It is here where the Aztec culture used tomatoes for all sorts of delicious dishes.  In fact, the Aztecs enjoyed tomatoes for several centuries.  The etymology of the word “tomato” stems all the way back to the Nahuatl word “tomatl” which means fruit. 

Once the Spanish conquered Central and South America, they brought the tomato back home to Europe.  The Spanish also brought all sorts of other veggies, fruits, and even some animals back to their European homeland.  There is some debate as to when the tomato made its way to Italy.  Historians believe tomatoes reached Italy in the early to mid-16th century as this is the time when tomatoes were first featured in the writing of Italian authors such as Pietro Matthioli. 

It is particularly interesting to note Matthioli and other Italians believed the tomato was poisonous.  As a result, Italians originally used tomatoes as decorative plants.  Tomatoes were gradually implemented in Italian cooking in the years to follow.  The Spanish taught Italians how to cook tomatoes in pans, typically mixing them in with onions, eggplant, and squash.  Tomatoes quickly took off in popularity as they infused delicious flavor into all sorts of Italian dishes.

Fast forward to the 18th century and tomatoes were popular with Italian chefs and everyday people.  In fact, some Italians during this time period boiled tomatoes and sealed them in airtight containers to preserve their flavor throughout the entirety of the year.

By the time the 19th century started, Italians were using tomatoes in everything from pasta dishes to Margherita pizza and beyond.  Italians soon traveled to Argentina, Brazil, and United States in large numbers, spreading their culinary methods across the globe, ultimately putting the focus squarely on the many different creative uses of tomatoes. 

Now that you know the story of tomatoes, it is time to dig into your entrée and taste the magic of this flavorful fruit.

 

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How To Pair The Right Wine With Italian Dishes

When you go out to eat at an Italian restaurant, one of the most common phrases you hear is, “would you like to see the wine list?” Of course, you want to make sure that you select the best wine possible for your meal. If you are wondering how to pair the right wine with Italian food, there are several tips that you should keep in mind. Take a look at some of the advice that we have put together below!

Go With The Bubbly For Your Appetizers

First, make sure that you reach for a wine that has bubbles for your appetizers. Some of the most common Italian appetizers involve quite a bit of salt. This might include arancini, a salumi plate, or a charcuterie board. Therefore, the touch of wine that accompanies sparkling wines is a great way for you to provide a bit of a festive start to your meal.

Reach For The Pinot Noir for Earthy Flavors

What are the most popular options is Pinot Noir. This is a wine that has a light body but an immense amount of flavor at the end. Therefore, this is an incredibly versatile wine that you can use to pair with your Italian dishes. In particular, Pinot Noir is great with earthy food. For example, if you are going to go with wild mushroom risotto, Pinot Noir is a classic pairing option. 

Pick Chardonnay For A Seafood Dish

There is nothing quite like fresh-caught fish from the Italian Riviera. If this is what you are choosing for your meal, then it is a good idea to reach for chardonnay. Chardonnay is a bit silky but also has a slight bite at the end of it. The smooth acidity makes it ideal for cutting through the creamy sauces that come in late accompany fish, shellfish, and other seafood dishes. If you are going with lobster fra Diavolo, then you should definitely reach for Chardonnay. 

Select Cabernet For A Steak Dish

Finally, if you are going with State, then go with a Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an assertive wine that can stand up to Rich meat without overpowering the flavor. The memorable sensations that you are going to create when you mix your steak with Cabernet Sauvignon are going to have you coming back for this meal again and again.

 

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3159 E Lincoln Dr
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Phone: 602.381.3159

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Credit for most photos: Kay W. Eskridge: Images By Kay

Our Hours

Lunch
TBD.
Dinner
Mon – Sat: 4pm–9pm
Saturday Dinner: 4pm–9pm

Sunday Closed

Happy Hour
Mon – Fri: 4:00pm–6:00pm
No happy hour on Saturdays

Holiday Closures: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, sometimes Christmas Eve (call to check), Christmas Day

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