The foods that Italians eat when it's hot are refreshing and light dishes like rice salad, Caprese salad and bread salad.
Caprese salad, with tomatoes and mozzarella and basil, Panzanella salad, "bread salad", Insalata di riso, "rice salad and prosciutto with melon are all popular foods that Italians eat when it's hot.
Italians also love to eat lighter pasta dishes when it's hot such as spaghetti with fresh tomatoes and basil and for dessert, gelato is also a popular choice for Italians to eat when it's hot.
The most spicy food in Italy is Nduja, which is a Calabrian specialty.
Nduja in Italy is a spreadable and intensely spicy pork salumi.
Many of Italian dishes are not usually inherently spicy, although Southern Italian regions such as Basilicata, Sicily and Calabria use chili peppers or pepperoncino in their dishes and cuisine.
The most Italian spice is basil.
Basil in Italy is considered the most quintessential Italian spice or herb.
Basil is a staple in numerous Italian dishes, from dishes like pesto to Caprese salad.
In Italy the basil is also referred to as the "royal herb".
Other commonly used and most used spices and herbs in Italy are rosemary, mint, thyme, parsley and oregano.
Basil adds a sweet and savory flavor to the foods with hints of mint, anise and pepper, which makes basil great and versatile for various Italian dishes.
Basil is also the star ingredient in a beloved Italian sauce called pesto sauce.
Basil is also widely used fresh or dried in sauces as well as meat dishes and other Italian specialties.
And aside from basil's culinary uses, basil is also known for it's antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and it's also commonly paired up with tomato sauce to create marinara sauce and other flavorful dishes.