How has the Italian Kitchen evolved over time?

When I think of an Italian kitchen (la cucina), I think of a comfortable room where everyone tends to gravitate.  La cucina is a place where food, wine and conversation flow.

It wasn’t always like that however.  In medieval times, only the rich had a separate room for a kitchen.  And it was usually on the top floor of the house.

The poorer people only had a fireplace in the corner of a room.  This was used to make soups and to reheat food.  There was a public oven for the people of the town to use for baking, for a fee, of course.

The end of 18th century saw the rise of the middle class. La cucina now held a table as well as a fireplace. The kitchens were small, not nearly as large as the rich people had.  Nevertheless, this was the beginning of socialization in the kitchen.

In the early 20th century, after World War I, more women began to work outside the home.  Kitchens design began to utilize space more efficiently and  different utensils and appliances were introduced to reduce preparation time.  Also, cooking fumes and odors were vented to the outside.

After World War II, the kitchen became more than just a place to prepare meals.  It was now a place to decorate.  Many began to display their beautiful hand painted pasta bowls.  The kitchen was now a place for visiting, doing homework or just talking.

In the Sixties, there was a real explosion of innovation in the kitchen.  There was a marriage of form and function, beauty and efficiency.  Now la cucina, was truly the center of the house.

This was the entertainment hub, a place where both men, women and children felt comfortable to visit with one another.  They would linger after dinner, talking and enjoying an espresso made from  their very own stove top espresso maker.  Maybe they would even have some home made gelato prepared in their gelato maker.

La cucina has truly evolved since medieval times.  I wonder what it will be like 100 years from now!

Stephanie
Italian Nonna

SimpleItalianCooking

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