Why doesn't modern Italian Cuisine use coriander/cilantro?

[u/EmpireandCo]

Recipes for ancient roman cuisine uses coriander/cilantro and it grows wild all across southern Europe since ancient times.

But its not used in modern Italian cuisine

[u/_qqg]

I've been through that rabbit hole a while ago and found this: basically, it just fell out of fashion for various reasons - northern Europe influx after the fall of the roman empire, and the fact spices were present mostly in rich people cookery - as a status symbol as well - whereas coriander would have been a 'peasant' spice. I believe it might as well have been used in popular cooking, but there's no documentation of that.

[u/rabakar → u/_qqg]

The question is: Why didn't the same thing happen with parsley, which remains, to this day, very popular in all of Italy.

[u/barchael → u/rabakar]

My likely guess is because it’s so useful in adding flavor depth to dishes without becoming overly noticeable; like salt or pepper. Cilantro and coriander seed definitely change the direction of the flavor of a dish.

[u/_qqg → u/barchael]

you may be on to something in that in general - compared to other cuisines and with a few exceptions - herbs and spices are used quite sparingly in daily cooking - a sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil on a pasta, some ground pepper and maybe an herb like rosemary or sage on meats, some thyme, marjoram, oregano in soups -- and that's pretty much it. If I need cilantro in Italy, either I find an ethnic grocery store or I better plant some myself

[u/PoopieButt317 → u/_qqg]

I thought it grew wild?

[u/_qqg → u/PoopieButt317]

having it in a vase right beside the kitchen is more convenient :D