There's always room for discussion, but perhaps these previous topics found through the search function will answer your inquiry.

• How did the Tomato come to be such an integral part of Italian cuisine?

• Italian cooking before the introduction of the tomato

• What was Italian food like in the 14th and 15th Centuries?

• What was Roman/Early Middle Ages food like in Italy?

• What were some Old World cuisines like before the Columbian Exchange?

• When did "traditional Italian" cuisine start and what made it happen? The Roman food is almost nothing like it.