When it comes to Italian food, you may have heard the term “contorni” thrown around from time to time. but what does this actually mean? Contorni, in Italian, refers to vegetable side dishes that are generally served alongside the main course. Such side dishes can be things like salad or vegetables.
When in an Italian restaurant, contorni are usually dishes you would have to order separately, as opposed to coming with the purchase of first or second courses. It’s a lot like ordering an appetizer, which you have to pay for separately, as opposed to ordering a dish that includes a side with the purchase.
Of course, while it’s about as simple as all that, there is more to talk about when it comes to contorni. We’ll cover everything you need to know in this article.
The Word Contorni
Contorni is the plural version of the word contorno. This word exists in both Spanish and Italian, and it means something different in both. For Italian though, the word contorno specifically means “a side dish served with the main meal; vegetables.” As you can see, the definition specifies vegetables, so the word contorni does not refer to all side dishes.
For instance, if you were to order a main course that included pasta as a side dish, that would not be a contorno, since it’s not a vegetable. When looking through a menu at an Italian restaurant, know that the contorni section is going to be vegetables specifically, though it’s worth noting that this does include potatoes.
Popular Italian Contorni
If you are not particularly familiar with the Italian language, you may be a bit confused when looking at the contorni section of a menu. However, most of the dishes in that section are vegetables that you are familiar with, you just don’t know them by looking at the words. Contorni are usually delicious and generally healthy.
Below are some popular contorni dishes that you are likely to see at an Italian restaurant.
- Caprese – This is a salad that includes fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, hand-torn basil leaves, and olive oil on top.
- Asparagi – Fresh asparagus spears that tend to be served either blanched or pan-roasted.
- Carciofi Ripieni – Stuffed artichoke: this dish is steamed whole artichokes with seasoned breadcrumb stuffing.
- Broccolini – Broccoli rabe or stalks sauteed with garlic and olive oil.
- Insalata Mista – A mixed salad, roughly equivalent to a house salad. Like most restaurants, the except recipe will vary, but it will usually include olive oil, vinegar dressing, and tomatoes.
- Peperonata – These are roasted sweet Italian peppers.
- Fava Beans – You may be familiar with these as “road beans.” In Italian restaurants, they are either served warm as a side dish or cold in a salad.
- Spinachi – Spinach that is often cooked with garlic and olive oil. Occasionally, it may come with spicy pepper flakes or shredded cheese.
- Patate al latte – In this dish, thick potato slices are cooked in milk, then strained. They are often seasoned with pepper, salt, and even nutmeg, as well as shredded cheese in some cases.
- Zucchine- In this dish, a zucchini squash can be served, sauced, sauteed, or stuffed.
These are not all of the possible contorni you may see while eating at an Italian restaurant. After all, every establishment has its own unique menu and some may serve more niche dishes than others. Still, these are some of the most popular contorni in Italian cuisine, and you will often see them at Italian restaurants.
Summary
So, if you see the word “contorni” on an Italian menu, don’t fret. It’s no different than an English menu with a section labeled “soups” or “appetizers.” Contorni is just the Italian word for vegetable-based side dishes that are not included as part of the main course. You have to purchase them separately from the main course.
That may not seem worth it, but take it from us, most contorni are amazing and definitely worth the price! Don’t overlook them just because they are vegetables: the Italians really know how to take even the simplest of ingredients and make something absolutely amazing out of it.
