Nomadic Foods Adaptations and hybridisations in immigrant cuisines: the case of the Italian diaspora

Abstract

Food is a crucial element in shaping and reinforcing identities, especially in the context of migration, where the weakening of emotional ties due to physical distance can lead to a sense of irreparable loss. In the experience of migrants, food and its associated rituals play a fundamental role, serving as a bridge between the present and one’s emotional past. The “food of home” becomes one of the most powerful tools for preserving and sustaining both individual and collective identities.

Migration places food memories under strain, subjecting them to change and adaptation. Family recipes evolve, yet in the minds of those who prepare and consume them, they remain the familiar “food of home”. Over time, they transform into the “food of memory”, a sensory archive that evokes recollections and emotions linked to the past; the taste of childhood, the scent of a grandparent’s kitchen, the dish shared during family celebrations. Every bite becomes a journey through time, reviving stories and traditions. Taste and smell intertwine with nostalgia, turning food into a bridge between past and present. In this way, cooking is not merely for nourishment but also an expression of storytelling and identity.

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on food practices, and focusing on the Italian diaspora, explores how culinary habits, rituals, and memories play a central role in all migration experiences.