My mouth waters reading this. I so love all the ways Italians bring their best food game to the tavola no matter where they live. Always served with pride of place and ingredients. Love Italy on so many levels. I'm grateful for my Sicilian family that prepared the way for me.
Lovely article and so true, thank you. Your story about Acquacotta reminded me of a visit to Massa Maritima in Tuscany with an Italian friend a few years ago. Come lunchtime she insisted on inspecting the menus of what seemed to me to be every ristorante and trattoria in the centro storico until we eventually found one which passed muster.
And what did she order for each of us? A bowl of what seemed to me in my ignorance to be hot water with some herbs and an egg in it. Genuino indeed.
Thank you for this thoughtful take. I am in constant wonder of diversity that is Italy. From my little corner of Venice to the guanciale that I buy in Rome to the cupatiello I can only get in Ponza on a summer night.
Growing up in the 50s and the 60s, my perception of Italian foods was limited. In the 70s I read Waverly Root, Ada Boni, and Marcella Hazan. It became obvious that the more I read, the more varied the foods of Italy became. It will be interesting to see how the perceptions will change.
My mouth waters reading this. I so love all the ways Italians bring their best food game to the tavola no matter where they live. Always served with pride of place and ingredients. Love Italy on so many levels. I'm grateful for my Sicilian family that prepared the way for me.
Lovely article and so true, thank you. Your story about Acquacotta reminded me of a visit to Massa Maritima in Tuscany with an Italian friend a few years ago. Come lunchtime she insisted on inspecting the menus of what seemed to me to be every ristorante and trattoria in the centro storico until we eventually found one which passed muster.
And what did she order for each of us? A bowl of what seemed to me in my ignorance to be hot water with some herbs and an egg in it. Genuino indeed.
The wine was good though.
Excellent article !
Thank you for this thoughtful take. I am in constant wonder of diversity that is Italy. From my little corner of Venice to the guanciale that I buy in Rome to the cupatiello I can only get in Ponza on a summer night.
I couldn’t have said it better, Nancy. Bravissima!
Growing up in the 50s and the 60s, my perception of Italian foods was limited. In the 70s I read Waverly Root, Ada Boni, and Marcella Hazan. It became obvious that the more I read, the more varied the foods of Italy became. It will be interesting to see how the perceptions will change.
Spot on, as usual...: )
Would be interested to hear your take on Alberto Grande’s work re the new UNESCO designation: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/15/myth-traditional-italian-cuisine-food?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
I've only visited Italy once... but made a point of eating only local specialties wherever we went. (never spaghetti and meatballs).