Sweets like cakes are saved for special occasions. Every now and then, a small plate of cookies would be offered as a dessert in a private home - but mostly Italians would serve fruit for dessert. As an alternative to high-calorie, elaborate, time-consuming desserts, Italians love to end their meals with fresh, crisp fruit served plain or with a delicious slice of cheese or small slice of torta (Italian for cake).
Dessert Menus
Choose one daily:
1 cup diced fresh pineapple
1/3 cup lemon sherbet or fruit gelato served with ½ cup mixed fruit
Torta and Fruit (1 small slice of angel food cake with one cup of fresh berries)
Sliced fresh pear with 1 slice of Italian cheese like Gorgonzola