Grissini

Grissini are traditional Italian breadsticks with origins in Torino, Piemonte, a region in northwestern Italy. These snacks consist of crispy, thin, dry bread that can be additionally flavored with rosemary, sesame seeds, onions, or Parmesan cheese. Grissini can be traced back to the 17th century, as they were invented to cure the health-related problems of Duke Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy. Since the duke had problems with digestion, the doctor ordered Antonio Brunero, a Torino baker, to make a meal which the duke could easily digest. Brunero made the dough for ghersa, a traditional Torino bread, and stretched it into long, thin strips. When the duke consumed the baked product, it was proclaimed a great success and became a popular snack throughout Italy. Today, grissini are served in a number of ways, and one can easily find them in most Italian restaurants, served to guests before the main meal, either on their own, or wrapped in prosciutto as an appetizer.