Ciao a tutti!
Ok, so instead of a recipe I have
some pretty valuable information on HOW TO SURVIVE ITALIAN NON-VEGAN IN-LAWS AT MEALTIMES!!!!
You can even survive if they are not your in-laws …. or if they are not Italian 🙂
The scene is pretty much this: you are invited to a super Italian dinner with 10 people (or more, usually) – none vegan – some country folk – and someone who specifically asked if there would be agnello (lamb) EEECCHH! You have to make a yes / no decision on the spot. IF you are prepared with the correct vegan mindset – it will be a breeze. If not – you may want to have the “meal before the meal” meal – and fake illness. However, you will then have to prepare yourself for 20 questions at mealtime explaining your “sudden” fake illness.
Anyways, there are a few tips as to how you can be cool, get some of the food you want and participate in the family / friend meal.
1.) Make a point of kindly “suggesting” some of your favorite dishes. Sometimes the hosts (and being Italian they will want to be very hostly ) will ask what you like. This works out great because you can say “wow, I love boiled potatoes with olive oil and salt!” Or, I love grilled tomatoes / grilled zucchini / huge green salad. Whatever it is, make sure it’s simple so your host does not have to research what it is — or worse — have to “guess” what is in it and make a bunch of non-vegan substitutes. For example, if you say, “wow, I love vegan mac n cheese” – it may be too complicated for the host to figure out what that means and what to add / not add.
So just keep it simple, for your sake.
2.) Offer to bring a plate or dessert to pass. Italians NEVER pass up the opportunity for more food. NEVER. They may tell you, “no, donta worri abbaddit” (don’t worry about it) or in Italian – no! non ti preoccupare!, but do not let that deter you. Persist and tell them you are bringing a dish to pass. Tell them as part of your culture that is what you do and you would be so honored if they would share in some of the food — however you word it, it will be fine. AND whatever you do bring, bring double – because it WILL be eaten.
3.) If you know your hosts or had previous outings with them, you can try to suggest a “good restaurant” that you know where meals are excellent and food is reasonable. This could be a 50 / 50 chance of finding a vegan restaurant that you know you will not have any problems eating at.
4.) Offer to participate in the cooking of the food. Observe – check – analyze if you wish – of everything and anything that is put INTO the food they are making. Although it is not usually customary (unless you know the host pretty well), you can show interest and curiousity by saying that you always wanted to know how Italians cook and what the recipes are like. Sometimes, they are just simply flattered by wanting to show you how they cook and they will explain EVERYTHING from how the stove is turned on to how the last spoon is washed. And other times, not. This really depends on what kind of person you have in front of you. They may be a kitchen control freak, which in that case, #2 option might be OK.
5.) Invite them to your house! You do the cooking! Let THEM participate in your meals!! And make sure to make extra dolci that they can take home with them. If you continue like that, you may find yourself being the PERMANENT point of contact when it comes to meal times.
Buon Appetito!
by 