James Silverton wrote:
> Victor wrote on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:54:33 +0100:
>
>> By ARIEL DAVID
>
>> Associated Press
>
>> ROME (AP) - If you are craving a kebab, tandoori chicken or
>> Peking duck you may go hungry in the small Tuscan city of
>> Lucca, which has just barred new ethnic restaurants from
>> opening in its historic medieval center.
>
> It's a well-worn attempt to stave off evolution by legislation. It's
> never worked but they keep on trying. Perhaps they should prescribe
> genuine medieval food....Good Luck!
>


Tomatoes, potatoes and pepper came from the New World, so the basics of
a lot of Italian cooking would have been unknown until the 16th century.
Pasta is another import. Italian food would be entirely different had it
not been for outside influences.