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<pre>The idea that Italians eat huge quantities of lard is fifty years out of
date. That was the situation in Umbria 50 years ago. The small farmers could
not afford olive oil and pigs were kept in the forest and on farms. They
provided the lard. Many writers are in search of re-invented traditions
which is perhaps the way this idea gained currency.

Supermarkets are a fair indication of what people buy and eat. Lard
certainly exists in most of them but you have to look very hard for it.
There is much more butter. As Italians do not use butter on their bread this
is for cooking. It is unsalted. A few rows over there are shelves and
shelves of cooking oils. Olive oil and sunflower are the dominant ones.

Cheers Brian Chatterton
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