Beyond the Cutlet: The Rich, Hidden World of Italian Frying

TikTok’s obsession with the chicken cutlet spotlights a single Italian-American signature, but the article argues that Italy’s fried-food tradition runs far deeper—Naples’ street-fried fritti, supplì, arancini, fried artichokes, and other regional specialties—shaped by thrift, place, and history. The cutlet became the emblem for Italian-Americans because it was affordable and easy to fry in tenements, while many other fried dishes faded or moved to shops rather than home kitchens. Today, a health-conscious culture and the appeal of air fryers influence how fried foods are viewed, but the piece urges recognizing a richer, more layered fritti heritage beyond a single dish.