Zuppa: Soups for the Italian Countryside

In the rugged landscape of northern Tuscany, where the mountain air is crisp and most villagers work out-of-doors, soup never comes from a can. Zuppa!, a book by Anne Bianchi, explores the world of traditional Italian soup-making, offering a pungent evocation of a region where ancient traditions are still central to everyday life.

Homemade and hearty, soup-zuppa-is the meal of choice in this region, and each household harbors its own family secrets for preparing the traditional recipes. The book presents one-dish meals to inspire the most harried or jaded cook, from zuppa alla povera con erbe di prato (a "poor people's soup" of fresh greens seasoned with wild field herbs) to crema di zucca (a cream of butternut squash soup celebrated for its rich texture and color), and from pancotto (a thick, succulent soup of cooked bread, plum tomatoes, and meat broth) to zuppa di carciofi (a fragrant artichoke soup with diced pancetta).

Beginning with basic brodo, or broth, Zuppa! explores a different soup category in every chapter, from bean soups ("poor of ingredients but rich in appeal") to fish, meat, grain, and cream soups. Sidebars focus on such fundamentals as choosing the right soup pot, de-fatting stocks, and clarifying broths.

Illustrated throughout with black and-white photographs, Zuppa! is an indispensable collection for anyone who relishes great soup, Italian-style. The book takes readers into the kitchens of some of Italy's most passionate cooks, returning not just with instructions and ingredients but with ample evidence that simple, great food nourishes the soul as well as the body.

The book's exploration of the diverse world of traditional Italian soup-making is a testament to the enduring power of regional culinary traditions. In a region where most villagers work out-of-doors and the mountain air is crisp, soup is a essential part of everyday life, a meal that nourishes both body and soul. Zuppa! invites readers to discover the richness and complexity of this beloved culinary tradition.

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