More than just Tuscany.
Mention beans and Italian food and immediately most people will mention Tuscany and its Mangiafagioli, the beaneaters. It's true that they love their beans but the real secret is that beans are great in every part of Italy. From the velvety Borlotti in the north to the wonderfully nutty lentils from Puglia, you'll find good beans throughout the country.
Our celebration of Italian beanery starts with our re-issue of Judith Barrett's seminal book, Fagioli: The Bean Cuisine of Italy. Long out-of-print (and fetching a ridicululous price for a used copy), we worked with Judith for an expanded edition that we're sure you'll want.
We also have been working with bean growers in Italy to import limited quantities of some favorite, obscuritiesm and heirlooms that can be used with the fagioli book or just enjoyed on their own, maybe bathed in some very good extra virgin olive oil.
And with that, we'll leave you to explore this collection and say, a tavola tutti!
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FROM THE FAGIOLI COLLECTION
RECIPES: RANCHO GORDO'S CUCINA ITALIANA
During the 1980s, a lot of my friends would spend their vacations in New York. They loved the big city life, especially after San Francisco, which although romantic and sophisticated...
This recipe comes from our neighbors here in Napa, Stevie and Josiah of Bay Grape Wine, a specialty wine shop that makes wine fun without being inane or insulting your intelligence....
This recipe from Southern Italy is prepared with a combination of dried porcini and fresh oyster or cremini mushrooms. Its earthy aroma and wonderful rich taste captures the essence of...
FROM THE BLOG
Last autumn I was in Italy for the first time in way too long. This was the funny time when we all thought this covid thing was waning and we...
Is this not a thing of beauty? A bowl of cranberry (Borlotti) beans with homemade pasta in a sauce of bean broth, chicken broth, and vegetables. It's moist and delicious...
My friend Canice saw this photo of me from the early 1980s in Sestri Levante. It's a beach town in Liguria, Italy and I spent many summers there in my...