Want to know an Italian dining secret? Mezzi porzioni (half portions)
and it has nothing to do with dieting
Last night I ate the biggest portion of gnocchi ever. Granted, I haven’t partaken in giovedì gnocchi in quite some time (the tradition of eating gnocchi on Thursdays, particularly in Rome. Various restaurants still only make homemade gnocchi on Thursdays.)
While there is a love letter to come on the joy that is giovedì gnocchi, this post is about an Italian dining secret. It’s called: mezzi porzioni, or half portions.
This has nothing to do with cutting carbs or dieting
You might be thinking - why would someone who loves pasta and food suggest coping out of a full plate of carb goodness?
Truth is - it has nothing to do with trying to cut carbs or eating light (though, this can be a reason.) It has to do with a much more critical issue: food waste.
Of the Italian “food rules” that are out there, not finishing your plate or asking for a doggy bag are quite big ones. It all draws back to the heart of the Italian kitchen - not wasting a darn thing. That is why there is social pressure - especially from nonnas and elders - to finish everything you eat. Even in 2023, you may receive some sass or shame for leaving food on your plate servers. Leaving food behind can also be seen as an insult to the Chef.
Given that food - especially in Italy - is all about relationships, it’s best to avoid insulting the chef.
But, let’s be real - portion sizes can vary and we often have eyes bigger than our stomachs. Also, our bank accounts aren’t looking so great in these inflationary times. Adding in the fact that Italian lunches and dinners usually include 2 to 3 courses at least, we feel overwhelmed.
Fortunately - there is a solution so that we do not waste any food and can conquer all the courses at lunch or dinner!
PSA: mezzi porzioni are only for pasta.
Half portions are strictly for the first courses, your primi, your pasta! Appetizers/antipasti and second courses/ secondi are more difficult to evenly portion and split (you can share these dishes instead - you know - if you’re not a greedy only child like me).
On the other hand, a standard portion of pasta (80 grams) is very straightforward to cut in half. Pasta can also be the most filling course of the meal. Naturally, it makes sense to do half of the denser course, letting you finish your plate and leaving room in your tummy for more yummy things to come.
LANGUAGE BREAK! So, mezzi porzioni is plural. The singular is mezza porzione. So, formally you can ask: Posso avere una mezza porzione di pasta? Or, ‘Can I have a half portion of pasta?’
Sometimes, you will need a friend
Not all Italian dining establishments will accommodate half portions if you don’t have a food partner in crime to split with.
This is especially true for dishes with fresh homemade pasta that a restaurant will have limited quantities of. Doing too many mezzi porzioni will confuse the kitchen about how many servings of - for example - fettuccini ai funghi porcini they have left.
There is a bright side, though: luck may be on your side and there is someone else requesting a half portion in the room. If so, the restaurant will happily make your half-portion dreams come true.
Finally, mezzi porzioni are more diplomatic
You’re probably thinking after reading this - why don’t we just split the pasta? This is totally an option too. But, not everyone craves the same dish. Or, is very good at physically splitting a pasta (take it from the only child.) Isn’t it nice to know that things are even Steven?
Half portions make things much more diplomatic. You get your portion of pasta, in your bowl. It’s yours. Do what you want with it, as long as you finish it. Because remember, no food waste my friends!
Before I say buon venerdì, I want to leave you with a little question:
How have you inadvertently annoyed or angered an Italian server or restaurant owner in the past?
Let’s be honest, we all have before.
Love that! Btw this has anything to do with "bis di pasta"? When in Piemonte with an italian friend she asked for it and I loved it!