{"product_id":"a-bite-sized-history-of-italy-9781620979235","title":"A Bite-Sized History of Italy","description":"\u003cb\u003eA compelling exploration into the rich tapestry of Italian food history and culture, from the Roman Empire to today, by the co-host of the top-ranked \u003cem\u003eGola\u003c\/em\u003e food and wine podcast\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThough a relatively young country, Italy’s culinary identity has been simmering for centuries, shaped by a shared gastronomic culture. From the dormice and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003egarum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of the Roman Empire to the heresy of pineapple pizza, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Bite-Sized History of Italy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e traces this legacy, offering a delicious romp through millennia of culinary tradition and transformation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor Danielle Callegari, Dartmouth College professor and celebrated \u003cem\u003eGola\u003c\/em\u003e podcast co-host, guides readers through the kitchens, vineyards, city squares, and coastal ports of the iconic peninsula, painting an intimate portrait of a place justly famous for its cuisine—so much so that food might well be the very reason for its existence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith boundless energy and a fearless palate, Callegari explores beloved staples—pizza, pasta, parmigiano—alongside the unsung flavors that shaped Italian identity: legumes, wild herbs, game birds, spices, and the contributions of Jewish and other minority communities. Readers will uncover the true history of the tomato, Mussolini’s failed attempt to replace pasta with rice,  the “Carbonaragate” scandal that made international headlines, and more. Drawing on ancient cookbooks, medieval architecture, and contemporary cooking shows, Callegari reveals how Italy’s rise as Europe’s gastronomic heart is rooted in religious customs, class dynamics, and the echoes of empire, and how food became a language of both unity and division.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChapters feature recipes, beverage pairings, compelling historical vignettes, and current restaurant recommendations. Vivid and entertaining, this latest addition to The New Press’s standout Bite-Sized History series, \u003cem\u003eA Bite-Sized History of Italy\u003c\/em\u003e offers a glimpse of the making of Italy itself—a nation defined, defended, and devoured around the table.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Danielle Callegari","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48283990360315,"sku":"9781620979235","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/3917\/9771\/files\/CoreSourceHub_11747d8f-b68b-4b99-b097-30f71bc8bc5b.jpg?v=1778015538","url":"https:\/\/indiepubs.com\/products\/a-bite-sized-history-of-italy-9781620979235","provider":"IndiePubs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}