814man:
FWIW, cuisine between North and South Italy varies considerably, and in Italy I noted that one mostly got the regional dish preferences. Maybe things have changed since I was there over a decade ago. But I doubt it, habits there, culinary wise, don't seem to change swiftly.
Two points, all mollusks considered ...
More meat, more shots at beef, and more butter up north.
More olive oil, more seafood down south, less beef, but better Veg.
Pasta is of course ubiquitous.
But it all beats MRE's.
