Italian cuisine is very regional ... or caramel. One of Italy's best-known desserts, cannoli (the singular is cannolo) originated in Sicily, but now are available all over the country and beyond.

When heading out for an Italian meal, pasta is the entrée of choice for many of us, whether it is a classic lasagna, spaghetti alla vongole, or the slightly less authentic mac 'n' cheese.

Quick and easy to assemble, this oil-based Italian apple cake is great for any time of day, and it is lighter in calories and monounsaturated fats than a butter-based cake.