Jenny Oldaker traces the 15th-century origins of Sulmona’s world-famous confetti, discovering how these sugar-coated treasures became the vibrant heart of Italian celebrations and Abruzzese culture. Taking a stroll down Sulmona’s Corso Ovidio is a colourful affair. Wander any length of this elegant thoroughfare and you’ll soon be greeted by scores of shops brimming with pops […]
Don’t throw away that stale bread or cold pasta! Explore simple, economical Italian recipes like Frittata and Polpette that transform leftovers into comfort food. For Italians, using up leftover food is a virtue, and one that has been transformed into an artform. The Tuscans in particular are a shining example of this tradition. It’s often […]
Pasta salsiccia e peperoni is a simple, deeply satisfying pasta that celebrates sweet summer peppers and good Italian sausage. Quick to cook and full of flavour, it’s the sort of dish that proves you don’t need much more than excellent ingredients and a hot pan. Pasta with sausage and peppers is one of those dishes […]
Learn to make these authentic Italian pizza recipes with meat-free toppings, from tomato and Asiago to fig and mascarpone Looking for Italian pizza recipes with a vegetarian twist? First, master the basics of making the ultimate Italian-style pizza dough using fresh yeast. Then, take your pick of four meat-free recipes for authentic Italian pizza toppings. […]
This Tuscan chestnut cake, or castagnaccio, is a rustic Italian dessert made with chestnut flour, pine nuts and rosemary. Naturally egg- and dairy-free, it’s perfect for Christmas or winter gatherings. Castagnaccio is one of Tuscany’s most distinctive desserts. Made from chestnut flour rather than wheat, it’s dark, dense and gently savoury, enriched with olive oil […]
These filled mini panettoni are a charming twist on the classic Italian Christmas cake, with a rich mascarpone centre and bursts of candied peel. Perfect for gifting or sharing at festive gatherings. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about the scent of panettone drifting through the kitchen at Christmastime. These miniature versions capture all the warmth of […]
This pumpkin and gorgonzola gnocchi is pure Italian comfort food, with crisp pancetta and a drizzle of honey. It’s a perfect meal for chilly evenings. Sweet pumpkin, creamy gorgonzola and crisp pancetta are a match made in Italian heaven, and when paired with pillowy gnocchi, they create a dish that feels both rustic and luxurious. […]
Mario Matassa shares his verdure piccanti recipe, for preserving a glut of garden vegetables into a piquant pickle that will see you through till next summer. This zesty vegetable preserve is a superb way to utilise your abundance of summer harvest. It bears a strong resemblance to the traditional giardiniera, though the classic version is […]
Mario Matassa’s recipe for chocolate cheesecake with cantucci and mascarpone makes a rich Italian-style dessert, perfect for Christmas or any special occasion. There’s something about cheesecake that feels instantly celebratory, and this Italian-inspired version, made with cantucci biscuits, is no exception. Rich, chocolatey and layered with mascarpone cream, it’s a dessert that manages to be both […]
Stuffed sweet peppers with Italian sausage and cheese make a delicious starter or side in this recipe by Mario Matassa Discerning Italians will cast a disdainful eye on the perfectly symmetrical peppers that sit on supermarket shelves all year round. They’re pretty, but often quite tasteless. The misshapen ones, the ones that have been grown […]