It’s one of the most loved foods in the world. Without it, many of us wouldn’t know what to order when panicking at a restaurant (why do waiters always come so soon?), but does anyone know the story about how chicken parmigiana came to be? We tend to think of food as instant gratification, created, eaten, and that’s the end. Food has a history like us as people. It’s tied into our cultures, beliefs, traditions, and so forth. A great example is Chicken Parmigiana. Let Trattoria Il Panino in the North End of Boston take you on a journey, a time capsule to educate you on how Chicken Parmigiana created itself.
Chicken Parmigiana’s History
You’d think food wouldn’t have so much baggage. Jokes aside, chicken parm has a long, complicated history argued by many historians for different reasons. Believe it or not, there was not readily accessible chicken in Parma, Italy, so the idea started with thin slices of eggplant covered in Neapolitan tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Hungry yet? If you’re detail-orientated, you may have already asked yourself;
“Why is it called chicken parmesan if the cheese chefs use is mozzarella?”
It’s a great question and one that isn’t so easy to answer! Some believe that it was created in Parma, hence the name. Others believe it comes from a Sicilian word that means slabs on a roof, referring to the thin slices of chicken covered in the sauce.
Arrival
When Italian American’s started working, the economy was booming, and the United States was beginning to fire on all cylinders. They were able to afford to replace the cheaper eggplant they grew, with chicken. This added a new dimension of nutrients to the meal, and it took off like wildfire. It became a part of a New York Times recipe in 1953. After this, variations like the chicken parmigiana sandwich began to sneak their way into our culture.
The arrival of chicken parmesan to the United States should be celebrated. Many people remember having their first bite of chicken parmesan, and the nostalgic feelings flood their minds. As mentioned earlier, food has a story. These stories are forged into our cultures.
An excellent introduction to Italian food indeed! Chicken Parmigiana all these years later continues to make our mouth water and is featured in every Italian restaurant in the United States.
Chicken Parmigiana at Trattoria Il Panino
Our Chicken Parmigiana is served with a succulent, sweet tomato sauce and Penne and is to die for. Trattoria Il Panino celebrates chicken parmigiana every day by being able to cook it for our beloved customers. If you’re looking for the best chicken parmigiana in Boston, look no further than Trattoria Il Panino in the North End. Book a table with friends or family, or order takeout to experience our creation and leave with your belly full.
