Salad after the meal?

Question

I american with Italian heritage. My family has always eaten salad after the main meal. Everyone I know says this is wierd. Is this the way it's done in Italy?

Answer 1

My husband's father does this. He's Irish. It's not weird, just a preference.

Answer 2

sometimes i eat my salad last.  eat how u want!!!!

Answer 3

no it's done elsewhere also.

they're just inexperienced to culture.

don't worry about it... it's good to put the ruffage ontop of the meal... helps push it out faster.

(well, not exactly but when reading this question i heard my gramma's voice.....)

we eat salad when we feel like... some eat it before.. some after.. some during the meals.

no biggy.

i'm not sure if that's the way it's done in italy...   since i'm sure italy is like most places...  you eat what you want and when.

unless it's a specific occasion where the meal is directed for some reason.

Answer 4

Heh, I'm Italian-American too and people say the same thing about our family.  The thing is, the reason why Americans are used to salads before meals is because that is what restaurants serve to appease you while your main meal is cooking.

Answer 5

Yes, in Italy the salad is eaten AFTER dinner. Not wierd. Just different. But I think it helps to digest your food if the salad is eaten AFTER your main meal.

Answer 6

not sure about Italy but maybe its cuz salad gives you gas, lololol

Answer 7

i eat my salad before if i eat it after i may be full eating it before i may not eat so much

Answer 8

not many people have their salad last. We've had it like that too as a child growing up my grand parents were from Italy, i think it also helps with digesting the food.

Answer 9

In some countries Salad is eaten with the meal.....other countries eat the Salad before the meal. I don't think it matters....all end up in the same place !!!!

Answer 10

i saw this in my travels ,but my way has been salad on the side ( beggining mid and end !! i love a good salad with my meal !

Answer 11

Salads after a meal is Italian, but also I think it's done in other parts of Europe too.

The idea is the salad is supposed to help with meal digestions.

Answer 12

That is so interesting, I will have to try that sometime!

Answer 13

No, there is nothing weird about it.. It is the way it is done in not just in Italy but in many parts of Europe.  

I think that in North America Salads before a meal started as an appetizer.. whereas in Italy the Appetizer was something else.. like prosciutto and melon, olives, cheese, a prelude to your meal to open your appetite.

The salad ended your meal, the roughage for digestion, there fore the vinegar to cut the meal's fat.

The espresso after the meal with no milk or cream to end the meal.  Milk or cream was not used in the coffee as vinegars, wines, fruits would have been used ending the meal and would not have been considered lactose tolerant with the other food groups.

Everything is done for the pleasure of eating balanced, nutrition's meals that are good for you and are tolerated and not end up making you sick. There is satisfaction in eating well and feeling well after-wards. Everything in the Italian cuisine is done for the sole purpose of the well-being of the diner.

Answer 14

Yes, be assured it is done in France as well. Helps to digest!

Answer 15

Also the salad can clean up your mouth.  Aside from onions, raw veggies leave a fresher taste.

Answer 16

You must be healthy