Italian Culinary Journey: 1,200 Kilometers of Rural Villages and Regional Cuisine from North to South

"Italian Food Journey: 1,200 Kilometers of Rural Villages and Local Cuisine from North to South" (2025) by Naoko Oishi.

Go to the next town and the language and pasta change – Italian cuisine is captivating not only for its flavors but also for its diversity. Ingredients and traditional cooking methods rooted in the local climate and history are passed down through generations. The author travels through the south, north, central regions, and islands, exploring the wisdom of "cucina povera" (peasant food) with her feet and palate. She also focuses on social innovations for regional revitalization, such as agritourism, organic farming, and the Slow Food movement. This book is full of useful tips for Japan's rural areas facing depopulation. Includes numerous photographs.

My growing fascination with Europe, and Italy in particular, intensifies year by year (though this is purely personal). This book offers a cross-sectional look at a country and people who value food, region, history, and culture. The key is that it's not just a fresh gourmet report. (Ammel)