Food for thought

Did you know these popular dishes used to be very different?

The food scene in the U.S. is extremely varied, taking inspiration from different cuisines around the world. Several staple dishes that Americans know and love, such as pizza or orange chicken, were not created here; they were brought from many corners of the world by immigrants, but tastes, ingredients, and techniques have changed, and many of these dishes have also changed to adapt to the new country. Other dishes were developed in America, but they were intended to emulate or replace something left behind. Let’s look into 10 dishes that can be found everywhere in the U.S., but only because of immigration.

There’s nothing more quintessentially American than a good pizza, but everybody knows pizza is Italian, right? But not all pizza. Back home in Italy, pizza follows a ‘less-is-more’ approach: a light crust, few fresh ingredients, and minimal toppings, all aiming to achieve simple, well-balanced flavors.

On the other hand, American pizza is bolder: stronger flavors, abundant cheese and toppings, several dough styles, and an array of influences from different cultures make it a staple for all tastes and occasions. In this case, more is more.

If you know Panda Express, you know Orange chicken. After all, it is one of their signature dishes; they even have a food truck that tours the U.S., giving away samples of the dish. But did you know that it’s an Americanized version of a Chinese classic that has no orange at all?

The guys at Panda Express claim that orange chicken is their version of General Tso’s chicken, but this dish is not common in China. Instead, there are several versions of a similar dish that uses tangerine, a flavor common in Chinese cuisine but not as suited for American taste as orange.

Chicken Alfredo seems to be a point of contention between Italian servers and American tourists, the latter insisting it’s an Italian dish while the former claim they do not know about it. They are both technically right, but only because they are thinking about different things.

Fettuccine Alfredo is a Roman dish consisting of fettuccine with parmesan cheese and butter, emulsified to form a creamy sauce. This ingredient combination is not uncommon in Italy, and the dish is mainly known as fettuccine al burro (literally, ‘with butter’). American Alfredo, however, has evolved to include cream, and it is typically served with chicken, which makes it a totally different dish. It is not surprising, then, that Italians are confused.

We could spend the whole day talking about the wonders and intricacies of Tex-Mex cuisine and its importance for Americans, but let’s focus on one of its star dishes: the hard-shell taco. While the shared culinary history and cultural exchange between the U.S. and its southern neighbor is extensive, this crispy dish was invented on this side of the border in Mexican-American communities.

There’s no consensus on who invented or sold the first hard-shell taco, but there are records of its existence from the very early 20th Century. The dish gained national popularity in the 1960s when Taco Bell added it to its menu, and it’s now a go-to classic all around the country.

Some could argue that no one really eats fortune cookies, but we can agree that they are an integral part of Chinese takeout, so we’ll count them as ‘food’. However, they are not Chinese, nor were they associated with Chinese food in the beginning.

Fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco in the early 20th Century by Suyeichi Okamura, a Japanese restaurant owner, who allegedly got the idea from a Japanese snack. Years later, a Chinese cook claimed the idea to be his, and the courts had to intervene, ruling in favor of Okamura. No matter their origin, fortune cookies are non-negotiable if you are in the mood for Chinese takeout.

A staple in Floridian cuisine, one can only assume that the Cuban sandwich came from Cuba. But not the Cuban sandwich you are thinking of. What did come from there was the sandwich mixto (mixed sandwich), which, in many Hispanic countries, is just a ham and cheese sandwich, toasted, with possible add-ons such as lettuce, tomato, pickles, and some sauce.

The American Cuban sandwich, as we know it, is believed to have been invented by Cuban immigrants, and it follows a set recipe: Cuban bread, mustard, pork, ham, cheese, and pickles. Tampa and Miami fight for the honor of being the birthplace of the Cuban sandwich, with one main disagreement about its construction: in Tampa, salami is a non-negotiable, most likely influenced by the Italian community.

Apple pie is considered to be the U.S.’s unofficial pie, but it’s actually from England, which puts a new spin on the phrase "as American as apple pie". But some could think the English and American versions to be quite similar. Is there a real difference? Pie, apples, and everything in between were brought to America by the English, but the modern versions of this pie are different enough to justify a distinction.

English apple pie usually has a crumblier pastry, can include several spices and fruits such as raisins, pears, or figs, and has less sugar, relying upon the natural sweetness of apples. The American version, highly influenced by the Dutch appeltaart, has a flakier pastry, tart apples (and more sugar to balance the flavor), usually includes cinnamon, and might have a crumble. The verdict? Not quite twins, more like cousins.

If there’s a common trait for sushi in the Western world, it is that it’s nothing like Japanese sushi, and America is not the exception. The first sushi restaurant in the U.S. opened in the 1960s and initially served authentic Japanese sushi, but quickly evolved to adapt to local tastes.

While Japanese sushi is all about simplicity, American-style sushi tends to mix varied ingredients and flavors, to use different varieties of rice, and to include fusion influences. So, avocado and cream cheese? 0% traditional, 100% delicious.

The English first came across the English muffin in the 1990s, that’s because English muffins are American, even if they were created by an Englishman. Samuel Bath Thomas developed this breakfast staple in New York in the late 19th Century, and he was most likely influenced by an English classic, the crumpet.

Crumpets and English muffins serve similar culinary purposes (they are round vessels for yummy toppings), but the similarities don’t go much beyond that. Crumpets are made with baking soda, which results in a chewy, tangy dough, with bubble-like holes that make them perfect for butter, jam, or cream, and, unlike English muffins, are not intended to be split in half. On the other hand, English muffins use yeast and are more bread-like and crumblier. They can be paired with either sweet or savory toppings, and are a go-to for breakfast sandwiches. English only in name, American in spirit.

This staple dish follows an idea common to a lot of Italian American dishes: the addition of meat to a dish that was originally meatless. When Italian immigrants arrived in America, they found out that many of the ingredients they were used to were not available here. On the other hand, meat was much more accessible in comparison to the Italy they had left.

The original recipe for this dish is called melanzane alla Parmigiana (or just parmigiana), and uses breaded eggplant slices instead of chicken cutlets. No one knows who was the first to substitute the eggplant with a chicken cutlet, but we do know why it became popular.

Deathbed statements

Beyond the grave: Take a look at the last words of 12 famous people

Image: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout history, hundreds of historical figures have left their mark on the world through their marvelous achievements. When their lives came to an end, their last words were often a reflection of their lives and ideals. From George Washington and Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra and Leonardo Da Vinci, in this article, we will reveal 12 final words of memorable personalities.

Image: The New York Public Library

After serving two terms as the United State's first president, George Washington retired to his Virginia plantation. In mid-December 1799, he developed a cold and a severe sore throat. Despite doctors' efforts to cure him, the end was imminent.

His long-time secretary, Tobias Lear, was at his side during his last days and documented all the events that transpired, including the former president's last words. According to his account, shortly before he took his last breath George Washington said "Tis well" —an old-fashioned way of saying "everything is okay."

Image: Signal Corps Archive from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Noir icon of perpetual elegance and rebellious charisma, Humphrey Bogart is an undisputed legend in cinema history. A Hollywood Golden Age star, Bogart is still remembered today for his scar on his upper lip, his everlasting cigarette, and his perfect portrayal of gangsters and detectives.

At the age of 57 Bogart was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, for which he was hospitalized for several months. According to lore, the legendary star's last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis." However, his wife Lauren Bacall confirmed that the last thing he actually said was "Goodbye Kid. Hurry back," before she left his bedside to get their children.

Image: Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As one of the greatest American writers of all time, Mark Twain is usually credited with all sorts of great quotes that he often didn't say. For that reason, there are different versions of what his last words were before he died in 1910 at the age of 74.

The most plausible theory can be found in an article published one day after his death. According to this chronicle, Samuel Langhorne Clemens' last words were not spoken aloud but written. The famous humorist and essayist reportedly wrote to his daughter Clara, who accompanied him on his bedside, "Give me my glasses."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Joan Crawford, the Oscar winner for Mildred Pierce and one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden age, died in 1977 of a heart attack.

The actress, who had a complicated personality, was true to her nature until her last breath. She was so ill that her doctor felt it wasn’t worth taking her to the hospital. One of her nurses began to pray aloud in desperation. Losing her patience, Crawford snapped for the last time and said, "Damn it... Don't you dare ask God to help me."

Image: Municipal Library of Trento, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The year 2024 marked the 700th anniversary of the death of the man who better described remote lands. Marco Polo was a merchant who spent more than 20 years of his life traveling through the Orient and wrote about his adventures in a book that became a bestseller when the printing press wasn’t even invented.

Marco Polo was, and still is, a legend. When, on his deathbed, his wife and friends begged the brave explorer to confess if what he had told in the book was true, he barely whispered: "I have not told the half of what I saw and did."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Julius Henry Marx, better known as Groucho Marx, is considered one of the most influential comedians of all time. The man with the bushy black mustache was one of the Marx Brothers. Together they made 13 films, including the classic Duck Soup. After a long and prominent career, Groucho passed away in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 86.

His brilliant one-liners are still remembered and replayed to this day, so it is not surprising that not one but several final words are attributed to him. A few close friends have suggested that his last line was "This is no way to live!", while most suggest that his last words were in fact dedicated to his wife: "Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!"

Image: Nicolas de Largillière, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Voltaire, the French writer, philosopher, historian, and lawyer, one of the major figures of the Enlightenment, died in 1778 at the age of 83. Different accounts of his deathbed make it impossible to determine exactly what his last days were like.

One of these stories, however, is consistent with his ideas about God and his well-known criticism of the Church. According to this version, when the priest asked him if he wanted to renounce Satan before he died, Voltaire replied, "This is no time to make new enemies."

Image: William Wallace Denslow, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

L. Frank Baum was a prolific American author. He wrote 55 novels, 82 short stories, and more than 200 poems. However, his most memorable work is his series of children's fantasy books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On May 5, 1919, Baum suffered a heart attack. He died the next day, shortly before his 63rd birthday. Disturbed by the imminence of death, he whispered to his wife: "Now we can cross the Shifting Sands," a clear reference to the Land of Oz.

Image: National Archaeological Museum of Athens, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Augustus, the first Roman emperor, is often attributed with the phrase: "Behold, I found Rome of clay, and leave her to you of marble," alluding to the great infrastructural works carried out during his prosperous 40 years of rule.

However, according to other historical accounts, his last words were addressed to the friends who stayed with him on his deathbed: "Have I played the part well? Then applaud, as I exit."

Image: English: Distributed by NBC. Photographer unknown., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

"Darling, you've gone through worse and you can beat this too. You have to fight," implored Barbara Marx, Frank Sinatra's fourth wife, to her beloved on his deathbed. "I'm losing," The Voice whispered through teary eyes.

Barbara recounted the last hours of the singer of such hits as My Way and New York, New York in her memoir Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank. Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, pronounced his last words in 1998 at the age of 82.

Image: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite being one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was very hard on himself. All his life he challenged his own limits, evident in his paintings and sculptures as well as in his inventions, some of which were truly revolutionary.

Even after a lifetime of success, he wasn’t quite satisfied. When he suffered a stroke at the age of 67, he sent for a priest to receive the Holy Sacrament and, according to historians, his greatest regret was that he hadn’t achieved excellence with his work. In that sense, it is said that his last words were: "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have."

Image: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yankee Clipper was one of the greatest baseball players of all time but he is also known for having been married to the iconic American actress Marilyn Monroe. Joe and Marilyn were together for less than three years. In 1955 the actress left him for American playwright Arthur Miller.

DiMaggio was devastated. He never married again, and never got over his one true love. His last words before he died in 1999 at the age of 84 were: "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."