La Buona Tavola

Up to 1963 the proud region of Abruzzo was not a region in its own right, but cohabited with Molise, even if Frederick of Swabia had already, in 1233, created the Giustiziere d’Abruzzo, identifying the region’s territory.   Abruzzo became …

A vigorous thrust with a fork resolutely imposes on the icing to reach the body of soft ricotta cream in perfect symbiosis with the sponge cake. The bitter chocolate morsels explode in your mouth in contrast with the sweetness of …

Close your eyes and image Sicily in all its glory, some two thousand years ago.  A precious stone set in the crystal blue Mediterranean, she was the envy of every nation: the Greeks conquered it, longing to settle in such …

Spelt, known to the ancient Romans as far, used to be their most common and best loved cereal up to the first republican period (509-264 BC). After, wheat took its place because of its better yield and lower labor costs.   …

Valle d’Aosta: “heaven for men, purgatory for women, hell for mules,” but certainly delicious for our palates! Among mountains and castles, up there, in the western-most corner of Italy, the smallest of regions, Valle d’Aosta, winks at us. Stern and …

It’s coming up to Carnival time and bakeries in Italy have trays of ‘chiacchiere’ in their windows. Think a pastry that is thin, crispy, fried and covered in icing sugar….  I knew that would get your attention! We would have these …

A friend recently brought me the precious gift of a jar of Sicilian pistachio cream made from the pistachios of Bronte. Almost as soon as she was out the door, I had a spoon at the ready to taste this …

Jewish populations have called Italy home since Judas Maccabee sent a contingent to Rome in 161 B.C.  Although their history is wrought with strife, Jewish communities have established deeply planted roots throughout Italy. Their distinct culture has interwoven with the …

Sardinia, cradle of history and special traditions, holds within also plenty of culinary secrets. Let’s ideally travel to the west of the island. We are in the enchanting area of Marmilla, a small region at the very edges of the …

The beginning of Spring leaves me craving bright, beautiful sun-filled color in every corner of my world. And my kitchen is no exception. I return home from our local market with armloads of pomegranates and a very special treat when …