Lesson Plan: The Art of Mozzarella Making: Exploring Italy's Biggest Mozzarella Balls
Lesson Plan: The Art of Mozzarella Making: Exploring Italy's Biggest Mozzarella Balls
Grade Level: 6-8
Subject: Culinary Arts, World Cultures, Science
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Objectives:
- Discover the traditional process of making mozzarella balls in Italy
- Investigate the ingredients, techniques, and cultural significance behind this culinary art
- Analyze the science behind the mozzarella-making process
- Discuss the importance of preserving food traditions and cultural heritage
- Explore the versatility of mozzarella in various cuisines
Common Core Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6-8.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6-8.7: Integrate visual information with other information in print and digital texts.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-8.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6-8.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
Materials:
- Video or documentary showcasing the process of making mozzarella balls in Italy
- Images or diagrams illustrating the mozzarella-making process
- Paper and writing utensils
Procedure:
1. Warm-up (10 minutes):
- Display the title: "How Italy's Biggest Mozzarella Balls Are Made."
- Engage students in a class discussion about their familiarity with mozzarella cheese and any assumptions they have about its production.
- Ask students to share what they think makes mozzarella balls from Italy unique.
2. Introduction to Mozzarella Making (10 minutes):
- Show a video or documentary that explains the traditional process of making mozzarella balls in Italy.
- Discuss the cultural significance of this culinary art and its connection to Italian heritage.
- Highlight the importance of preserving food traditions.
3. Exploration of Ingredients and Techniques (15 minutes):
- Provide images or diagrams illustrating the mozzarella-making process.
- Instruct students to observe the steps involved and the ingredients used in making mozzarella balls.
- Discuss the significance of each ingredient and the techniques employed, such as curdling, stretching, and shaping.
4. Analysis of the Science Behind Mozzarella Making (10 minutes):
- Facilitate a class discussion on the science behind the mozzarella-making process.
- Discuss concepts such as curds and whey, protein denaturation, and the role of heat and acidity in cheese production.
- Connect the scientific principles to the steps involved in making mozzarella balls.
5. Discussion on Cultural Heritage and Preservation (10 minutes):
- Engage students in a discussion about the importance of preserving food traditions and cultural heritage.
- Discuss how culinary practices reflect a community's history, values, and identity.
- Explore the impact of globalization on traditional food production.
6. Exploration of Mozzarella in Various Cuisines (10 minutes):
- Discuss the versatility of mozzarella cheese in different cuisines, such as Italian, American, and Mediterranean.
- Encourage students to share their favorite dishes that incorporate mozzarella and explore the cultural adaptations and variations.
7. Conclusion (5 minutes):
- Summarize the key points discussed throughout the lesson.
- Encourage students to reflect on their understanding of mozzarella production and the cultural significance of food traditions.
Assessment:
- Participation in class discussions
- Completion of a short written reflection on the cultural importance of preserving food traditions and the versatility of mozzarella in various cuisines
Caseificio La Fattoria in Battipaglia, in the Campania region of southern Italy, makes fresh mozzarella with buffalo milk that can weigh up to 88 lbs. The dairy makes the mozzarella in a variety of shapes and sizes, but its brightest star is called Zizzona, which takes its name from a word in the local dialect that means 'a mother's breast.'"The Zizzona of Battipaglia is a very big buffalo mozzarella," Production Manager Gennaro Paraggio told INSIDER."The peculiarity of it is that there is a nipple on top of the mozzarella which reminds of a mother's breast because it releases milk. The name Zizzona comes from a word in our local dialect which means 'a mother's breast' that releases milk."Caseificio La Fattoria was established in 1988 by the Paraggio family to honor a generations-old tradition started in 1930. Overall, the dairy makes over 9 tons of mozzarella a day, 4,000 of which are Zizzonas."The Zizzona is made so that the dough inside is solid, strong, but it also has to have a web-like structure," said Paraggio. "This means it has to be able to hold milk inside. The same milk that is used during production. So that when you cut it open, the plate is filled with milk, and when you eat it, your mouth is filled with fresh milk as well."During our visit to the dairy, we saw how a 66-pound Zizzona is made. ------------------------------------------------------#Mozzarella #Italy #FoodInsiderINSIDER is great journalism about what passionate people actually want to know. That’s everything from news to food, celebrity to science, politics to sports and all the rest. It’s smart. It’s fearless. It’s fun. We push the boundaries of digital storytelling. Our mission is to inform and inspire.Subscribe to our channel: http://insder.co/Food and visit us at: https://insder.co/2NCg6SgFOOD INSIDER on Facebook: https://insder.co/2O4gt7AFOOD INSIDER on Instagram: http://insder.co/2aywJtkFOOD INSIDER on Twitter: https://insder.co/2IahHsiINSIDER on Snapchat: https://insder.co/2KJLtVoHow Italy’s Biggest Mozzarella Balls Are Made | Regional Eats
