Book Recommendation: Mangia

Author Maria Pasquale

When you think of Italy, I bet one of your first images is of food and wine. With over 400 wine-grape varietals, and some of the most iconic cuisine on the planet, every trip to Italy should be a culinary experience. If you’re ready to eat and drink your way from Milan to Sicily, grab a copy of Mangia and devour its practical tips for the best gastronomic delights in every region of Italy.

Rome-based, award-winning journalist Maria Pasquale shares Italy’s heart and soul as she spills the tea on where to find each region’s best markets, traditional dishes, top wines and culinary experiences. The beautifully designed hard-cover book details Italy’s love affair with food and wine, food festivals and dining dos and don’ts before devoting a chapter to each of Italy’s 20 regions.

Each chapter starts with an introduction to the region. I like how Maria has woven her personal experiences in the area with its history and culinary traditions. She features the Top 10 dishes to experience, along with a host of other locally unique offerings you’ll find on restaurant menus throughout the region.

As a wine lover, I also appreciate that she highlights the best local vino to pair with the food. My favorite part of each chapter, though, is the unique culinary experiences. This could be a fly-over of the Dolomites with a stop for a mountain BBQ, learning how to make risotto in Verona, or combining winemaking and vineyard glamping in Abruzzo. Each chapter wraps up with a recipe for better cooks than me to make one of the area’s signature dishes at home.

I’m heading back to Italy this year and you can bet that I’ve taken notes of Maria’s top selections for the regions I’ll be visiting. If you’re ready to eat and drink your way through Italy too, pick up a copy of Mangia today. To learn more about Maria follow her on Instagram @heartrome