Glossary of Italian Cooking Terms

Here are some common Italian to English food translations:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G |H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

 

A

Abbacchio – Lamb

Aceto Balsamic – Balsamic Vinegar

Acuqua – Water

Affettati -Slices meats

Affumicato – Smokes

Aglio – Garlic

Al Forno – Oven baked

Alici – Anchovies

Amoretto – Almond Liquor

Anatra – Duck

Anisette – Aniseed Liquor

Antipasto – Appetizer course

Aragosta – Rock Lobster

Arista – Duck

Arrosto – Roasted

Asparagi – Asparagus

B

Baccala – Salt cod

Basilico – Basil

Bel Paese – Mild Cheese

Bictola – Swiss Chard

Biscotti – Cookies

Bistecca – Steak

Bocconcini – Small Mozzarella Balls

Bollito – Boiled

Bolognese – Meat Sauce

Braciola – Chops

Brodetto – Fish Soup

Brodo – Broth

Bruschetta – Bread topped with garlic, tomato and onion

Bufalo – Water buffalo

Burro – Butter

C

Cacciatore – Hunters style

Caffe -Espresso

Calimari – Squid

Caldo – Hot

Canestrelli – Scallops

Cannellini – White bean

Capperi – Capers

Caprese Insalata -Mozzarella, tomato and basil salad

Capriolo – Venison

Carbonara – Cream and Ham sauce

Carciofini – Artichoke hearts

Cardi – cardoons

Carne – Meat

Carpaccio – Raw beef sliced thin

Cavolo – Cabbage

Cavolfiori – Cauliflower

Cetrioli – Cucumber

Ciambotta – Vegetable Stew

Cipolle – Onions

Coda alla Vaccinara – Oxtail

Coniglio -Rabbit

Costoletta – Cutlets

Cotto – Cooked

Cozze – Mussels

Crostini – Toasted Bread

Crudo – Raw

Cucina – Kitchen

D

Diavola – Spicy Sauce

Dindo – Turkey

Dolce – Dessert

F

Fagiano – Pheasant

Fagioli – Beans

Farcito – Stuffed

Fegato – Liver

Filanti – Soft Cheese

Filetto – Tenderloin

Finocchio – Fennel

Foccaccia – Flat Bread

Formaggio – Cheese

Forno – Oven

Freddo – Cold

Fritto – Deep Fried

Frutti de Mare – Shellfish

Funghi – Mushroom

G

Gamberetti – Shrimps

Gorgonzola – Blue Cheese

Grana Padano – Hard White Cheese

Granchio – Crab

Griglia – Grilled

I

Impanato – Breaded

Insalata – Salad

L

Lardo – Fat

Latte Fritto – Fried Custard

Lauro – Bay Leaf

Lenticchie – Lentils

Lesso – Boiled

Lemoncello – Lemon Liquor

Lemone – Lemon

Lupo di Mare – Lobster

M

Maccarello – Mackerel

Maiale – Pork

Mais – Corn

Manzo – Beef

Marinara – Plain Tomato Sauce

Marsela (Marsala) – Sweet Wine

Mascarpone – Cream Cheese

Melanzane – Eggplant

Minestrone – Vegetable Stew

Mortadella – Pork Cold Cuts

Moscato -Nutmeg

Mozzarella – Rubbery Soft Cheese

N

Nodini – Veal Chops

O

Osso Bucco – Braised Veal Shanks

Ostriche -Oysters

P

Pancetta – Bacon

Panna – Cream

Parmesan – Hard cheese from Parma

Pecorino – Hard Sharp Cheese

Peoci – Mussels

Pepe Verdi – Green Peppercorns

Pepe – Pepper

Pesce – Fish Soup

Pesto – Basil, pine nuts, cheese and garlic

Piselli – Peas

Polenta – Corn meal

Polipi – Octopus

Pollo – Chicken

Pomidori – Tomato

Porchetta – Suckling Pig

Porcini – Mushrooms

Prezzemolo – Parsley

Prosciutto – Cured Ham

Pravola – Soft Cheese

Provolone – Sharp Cheese

R

Ricotta – Creams whey cheese

Risotto – Rice Dish

Robiola – Creams white Cheese

Rosmarino – Rosemary

S

Salami – Cured Sausage

Sale – Salt cod

Salsicce – Sausage

Saltimbocca – Veal with ham and sage

Salvia – Sage

Sambucca – Anise flavoured Liquor

Sardi – Sardines

Scaloppine – Thin slice of Meat

Scolgona – Shallots

Soppressata – Dry Sausage

Spigoli – Sea Bass

Spinaci – Spinach

Stracchino – Goats Milk Cheese

Stracciatella – Chicken and Egg Drop Italian Soup

T

Taleggio – Cow’s Milk Cheese

Timo – Thyme

Tommo – Tuna

Tortoni – Liquor Ice Cream

Totano – Squid

V

Vitello – Veal

Vongole – Clams

Z

Zabaglione – Warm Custard Dessert

Zafferano – Saffron

Zucchero – Sugar

Zucchine – Squash