Cookbook giveaway - Regional Cooking of Italy

September 25, 2013·Lindsay

Regional Tastes of Italy

We're so pleased to be able to offer a five-book collection of Valentina Harris' great Italian regional cookbooks, assembled in one collection as the Regional Cooking of Italy. In the collection is The Food and Cooking of Tuscany, The Food and Cooking of Sicily and Southern Italy, The Food and Cooking of Venice and the North-East of Italy, The Food and Cooking of Rome and Naples, and The Food and Cooking of Milan and Bologna.

And we have five sets to give away. (Remember you can check on all of our cookbook giveaways by just looking in the right-hand category column on any blog page and clicking on "Cookbook Giveaways.")

To find out more about this book and Valentina, be sure and read our blog, Meeting Valentina Harris.

And to win one of the cookbooks, just post a comment below answering the question:

If you could spend time learning to cook in any region of Italy, which region would you choose and what is your favorite dish from that region?

Additional rules are:

Please make certain you have signed in to the EYB website (you don't have to be a paid member). This ensures that we have your email address and can get in contact with you.
The giveaway will expire in 4 weeks on October 23, 2013.
Distribution is limited to U.K. and U.S. mail addresses.

The 5 winners, selected by random number generator, are chefdave99, monkfish, Toppermom, CarrieJohn, and jd5761. This contest is now closed.

100 comments

CarbonToeSeptember 25, 2013

I'd like to go to Naples, birthplace of the pizza and learn how to spin the perfect pizza base

minervaSeptember 25, 2013

Liguria. I went there once and was quite taken by the food. I know all about pesto, but I'm quite uninformed on the rest.

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

I'd like to go to Naples, birthplace of the pizza and learn how to spin the perfect pizza base

gingershelleySeptember 25, 2013

I would choose Puglia; and learn to make my own orechietti with broccoli rabe sauce

dbielickSeptember 25, 2013

Arancini from Sicily

ToppermomSeptember 25, 2013

Piedmont---Truffles!!!

JulesLPSeptember 25, 2013

I would really like to learn more about southern Italian food, as those dishes remind me the most of my grandmother.

ballenSeptember 25, 2013

Pappa al pomodoro from Tuscany is the first thing that comes to mind!

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

I love southern Italian food and would like to learn more about it.

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

I grew up with the cooking of Calabria and Sicilia and whilst i would happily spend my time there, there are so many more regione to explore. Bologna has always been a favourite, and how can it not be with Bolognese and Mortadella? A few years ago I would have stated I just would have to travel to Toscana and Firenze in particular to experience un bistecca fiorentina made from a real Chianina - but having being spoiled by a Firenze native who's become a local farmer who grows the cattle and serves the authentic dish from the farm gate. So, the last experience for me would have to be to travel to Venato and try the plethora of delicacies there - sure, it was the home of Tiramisu, Maiale al Latte and Carpaccio ... but I have to go to deep into the countryside to try Pastisada de cavallo.

NaomiManygoatsSeptember 25, 2013

This looks like such an amazing set of Italian cookbooks! I can't wait to try the recipes! I would love to go to Rome, and have an authentic Pizza!

madamepinceSeptember 25, 2013

Sicily -- pasta con le sarde!

infotropSeptember 25, 2013

For my 50th birthday present, my husband gave me the gift of a week at a cooking school in Tuscany. What a dreamy present! (Also, he’s a dreamy husband.) I learned so much at Casa Ombuto, but what I would love to master is roast wild boar, a classic Tuscan dish. Of course, I’d have to figure out where to even buy wild boar…

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

From Naples - I'd like to find a good/perfect pizza recipe

mpenningtonSeptember 25, 2013

I love pizza; so would like to go to Naples.

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

Something from the north! I'm Swiss-Italian and love polenta!

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

Oh, I would love to have this cookbook set! I must make my own Italian, but hope to go there someday!

decklededgesSeptember 25, 2013

Venice - I had an amazing seafood risotto there that I still think about 3 years later.

chawkinsSeptember 25, 2013

I love osso buco which I believe is a Milanese specialty. I don't think I know enough to differentiate the various regions other than northern or southern italian in general.

louisedpSeptember 25, 2013

Calabria where my dad was from and he was such a great cook!
Stuffed zucchini blossoms...yum.

steph12205September 25, 2013

Naples where my family is from - gelato!

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

I would make a gift to a friend of these intriguing looking books. , She is just returning from Venice with a group of friends that marketed, cooked and went on daily trips to nearby vineyards, gardens and restaurants. All that is Italy and the warmth of its people.

SallySeptember 25, 2013

Hard to pick one one region, but Campania-Naples and spaghetti con vongole would be top contender.

robinorigSeptember 25, 2013

I would like to further explore the Emilia-Romagna area for food as there are fabulous pastas, balsamic vinegar, parmigiano-reggiano, amaretti, and some very interesting frizzante wines. My favorite dish from this region is tagliatelle alla bolognese - yum!

centraljerseySeptember 25, 2013

Umbria because I had this amazing dish there with farro and mushrooms.

TrishaCPSeptember 25, 2013

Definitely want to go to Rome. Gelato for me.

JulimorrSeptember 25, 2013

Would like to learn more about northern Italian cuisine

kbennallSeptember 25, 2013

The south - it's the one part I've never been to. I made some southern Italian recipes from Saveur magazine, and they were incredible. The best was a gemelli with fried anchovies, breadcrumbs, and hot peppers. It was really good, but I bet it would've been even better if it'd been exactly the way it's served in southern Italy (or better yet, if I'd eaten it there.)

chefdave99September 25, 2013

Tuscany, Pappardelle with Boar Ragu

CapeCodCookSeptember 25, 2013

Emilia-Romagna. Tagliatelli with ragu Bolognese, among many other dishes.a

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

I actually had the opportunity to spend a week in Tuscany in 2011 and attend the cooking school known as Toscana Mia....what a memorable trip. I lived in Chianti for a week with the family and cooked every day. The pici was my favorite (well, and drinking the neighbor's wine most days!!)

tangaloorSeptember 26, 2013

Potato gnocchi in the veneto!

JenPDXSeptember 25, 2013

I am easily satisfied with a warm bowl of ribolito, but what I would most like would be to apprentice in the kitchen of Fabio Picchi, the chef at Cibreo, in Florence, in his theater/dinner club.

Or... anything with truffles.

sgumpSeptember 25, 2013

Like Morizou, I would love to visit Emilia-Romagna and learn how to make Parmigiano-Reggiano (or just eat a lot of it while there!).

BakerGirlSeptember 26, 2013

Tuscany, to meet the Dante quoting butcher from Heat and learn the art of butchering!

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 25, 2013

I dream of visiting Emilia-Romagna, where I would love to be an apprentice to a master Parmigiano-Reggiano maker.

JoyceMcCSeptember 28, 2013

Me, well I would love to go back to Lombardy or Piedmont the home of the risotto. They are the dishes of my children's childhood. Every Friday lunchtime we would sit down to a risotto which would reflect the changing seasons and what was freshest at the local market. Just to taste the aroma of the buttery rice, soaking up the stock and wine. Mama Mia! It transports me from a dismal day in shetland to a sun and laughter filled house near the shores of Lago di Maggiore, take me back please these books are like nuggets of italian sunshine.

hwbookwormSeptember 26, 2013

I ate the most amazing gnocchi in a porcini mushroom sauce in Tuscany. I would love to learn how to make that from scratch!

jaburgSeptember 25, 2013

Naples so I could master the perfect pizza dough!

DcotterSeptember 26, 2013

I've never been to Italy, but I would like to learn more about regions that include a lot of fish in their recipes, such as Capri.

jd5761September 26, 2013

Naples (for proper pizza)

toddschutSeptember 26, 2013

I can't decide. Just parachute me in and I'll be happy where I land. (Love Bucatini all'Amatriciana though)

ThaichileSeptember 26, 2013

Growing up Sicilian, I would love to return to my ethnic roots. There was a wealth of vegetarian dishes that we ate before that style of eating became as prominent as it is today. Spaghetti with broccoli or cauliflower either steamed, chopped, and fried in some olive oil, mashed anchovies, garlic and pinch of crushed red pepper then tossed with the pasta and a little of the cooking water. All of that deliciousness clinging to each strand. Simple but incredible.

CCF4September 26, 2013

Have to pick one???? I guess Tuscany and favorite dishes would be a simple chicken dish I had at a restaurant in Florence that was just amazing!

CynSeptember 26, 2013

I would love to learn how to make Pizza from Naples.

sir_ken_gSeptember 26, 2013

REAL minestrone from Genoa!

wmhinshawSeptember 26, 2013

Tuscany - I had a day-long cooking class in Florence a few years ago and still make the pork chops with fennel pollen and grapes that we learned how to cook.

melspotSeptember 26, 2013

Val d'Aosta- traveled there a long time ago and had the best comfort food on a cool, rainy autumn day.

nicolepellegriniSeptember 26, 2013

I would choose Le Marche, as it is the region of Italy where I was born (Ancona to be precise), but I have yet to return there since I was brought to America as an infant. Even so, my American mother learned to cook many dishes of the region while living there - and pregnant with me. She has told me numerous times about going down to the beach to get huge nets full of mussels freshly caught in the morning from the fisherman, and also of the wild turkeys which made many an inexpensive meal during lean times.

The dish I would most love to learn to cook would be Le Marche-style lasagna, like my Italian grandmother taught my mother to cook (save of course leaving out a few vital ingredients, so mother-in-law's version was always "the best".) I finally want to know her secrets...

JaneNovember 4, 2013

Apologies for the delay in posting the winners of this contest. The 5 winners, selected by random number generator, are chefdave99, monkfish, Toppermom, CarrieJohn, and jd5761. This contest is now closed.

Aggie92September 26, 2013

I would like to sip a nice Chianti and learn more about Tuscan cuisine.

Diabolical_DrZSeptember 27, 2013

Emilia-Romagna, Parma particularly, ther's a pumpkin stuffed pasta I had there that I would love to make.

geoff@kupesoftware.comSeptember 26, 2013

anything from Tuscany!! not familiar enough with their foods, but have always wanted to go to that region.

hihelen_westbrookSeptember 28, 2013

Mmmmmm, it would have to be cannoli in Sicily.

cupcakemuffinSeptember 26, 2013

I LOVE Arancini and would love to learn how to make it properly (from Siciliy).

pgarciaSeptember 28, 2013

I would like to start with pizza from Naples!

PatriciaAnnSeptember 26, 2013

I favor the Milan and Bologna recipes...and the first one I would try since it's Fall is Pears Poached in Red Wine...But so many in that book sound delicious.

farmkatSeptember 26, 2013

KathyJ is me - I hadn't signed in, so you didn't have my e-mail.

ljskopSeptember 26, 2013

Emilia Romagna (my grandmother's region) for ravioli or raviolini en brodo (in broth). Or wild boar braised in white wine, with polenta.

JanSchollSeptember 26, 2013

I would love the rustic dishes with fresh vegetables. No meat, just good pasta and veggies.

kayanelsonSeptember 26, 2013

I'm not quite sure what region's food I like the best. I seem to like all types of Italian food. But Tuscany overall is my favorite region and I had a great steak florentine there.

wendy51September 26, 2013

Any region in Tuscany as Montopulcian where the wine is excellent. I adore all their Bread soups and would love to learn a basic broth and to make a bread soup with beans and local vegetables.

EvieSeptember 26, 2013

Southern Italy is my fav

amyrincoSeptember 26, 2013

I still dream about the pizza in Naples...

Queezle_SisterSeptember 28, 2013

I think I would try food of northern Italy, and in particular, Milan. I've always wanted to try Risotto alla milanese, with ox marrow and saffron - how could it be a miss?

louie734September 27, 2013

Oh gosh, I don't know enough about Italy's regions to decide... We do love our pizza though, so my uninformed decision is Naples.

slowensSeptember 28, 2013

Sicily....Pasta con Sarde

RobinCRSeptember 27, 2013

I hate to say it but I don't know much about the different cooking styles from one region to another. Would love to learn about them through this wonderful set of cookbooks.

carlenedrakeSeptember 28, 2013

Tuscany--Pappa al Pomodoro

maisie_grnOctober 22, 2013

I would love to know how to cook seafood in the styles from the Amalfi Coast!

MoniquelfpOctober 8, 2013

Southern Italian
favorite dish - Pasta Puttanesca

FuzzyChefSeptember 28, 2013

Calabria and the South, I think. Mostly because that's the cooking of Italy I'm least familiar with, so I'd like to learn it.

To pick a favorite ... I had a delicious pasta in saffron-cheese sauce at Il Boom restaraurant in Rome (a Calabrian restaurant). I also love Vecchio Amaro il Capo.

BlytheSpiritSeptember 29, 2013

pizza from Naples

stargirlOctober 14, 2013

A great bolognese sauce from the NW region!

rivergaitSeptember 27, 2013

Italy is a lot like California, where I live. It has many regions, each quite different in climate and topography. Actually, I live in far Northern CA amongst oaks and golden pastures, raising olives, which is exactly like the agro-tourismo I stayed at in Tuscany. I'd like to try all the different regional cooking of a place so much like my home state.

JamieKSeptember 27, 2013

Emilia-Romagna. Any pasta with a good Bolognese sauce. Also love mortadella

Smuz90October 11, 2013

As i grew up in northern Italy I would love to experience real southern flavours!

SBeattySeptember 29, 2013

I just got back from Italy, and loved the food there. I'm gluten-sensitive and found a LOT to love. My favorite dish was roasted guinea hen in a truffle sauce with porcini mushrooms. Unbelievable! But I'd love a private tutorial on risotto. There are so many ways to jazz it up. I'd go back to Montefollonico in Tuscany in a NY minute.

ChristyMcMahonSeptember 30, 2013

Emilia-Romagna for their pastas and Parmigiano-Reggiano!!

ShoreGirlSeptember 30, 2013

My favorite is from Tuscany. Zuppa di Muscoli. Mussel soup.

PotterhillSeptember 29, 2013

Anywhere in Italy is wonderful. I have been in Rome for a day, spent more time in Tuscany, a couple days in Venice. Love Risotto and bolognese sauce, buffalo mozzarella. Osso buco. Gnocchi. My family loves pizza.

vinochicOctober 15, 2013

Piemonte, but mainly because I would LOVE to visit the great producers of Barolo! And I would love to learn how to make the perfect bagna cauda.

merstarSeptember 29, 2013

Not sure which region - but would like to make lots of gelato recipes.

ljkaufmSeptember 30, 2013

Fried baby artichokes from Rome

CarrieJohnOctober 6, 2013

Altamura in Puglia so I could learn to make their fantastic bread.

monkfishSeptember 28, 2013

Sicily!!!...North African influences and amazing use of breadcrumbs!

KerreyOctober 23, 2013

Naples, where my grandmother was born, and where pizza reigns?

bshymanSeptember 27, 2013

I'd choose the food of Milan, because I know less about it. I'd start with perfecting Risotto Milanese.

amcSeptember 29, 2013

northern Italy. Risotto

ChiaraOctober 23, 2013

Tuscany or Umbria and to learn how to make homemade tortellini in brodo as well as my 105-year-old nonna (going on 106!) who makes them every Christmas and they are worth the annual wait...

napierOctober 1, 2013

Sicily -love the blending of flavours from history. Favourite dish-caponata-such a great balance of flavours

cheapbeetsOctober 4, 2013

I became a pizza addict during my pregnancy last year, so Naples all the way.

pipinita21October 23, 2013

Tuscany, I love that part of Italy. Pappardelle with wild boar, mmmm!

canines5October 23, 2013

Northern Italy - Bolognese Ragu, especially with Lamb over Pappardelle with a glass of red wine.

pokarekareOctober 28, 2013

Oh wha ta nas siam! I have spent the last 2 months touring France and Italy and I would have LOVED to win this set!!! I'll have to keep my eyes open next time! Did a cooking class in Florence and made beautiful handmade pasta and tiramasu, but the cuisine I liked best was Tuscan, and I would love to learn to make proper gelato.

Susan_FOctober 23, 2013

I'd love to try making a traditional sponge cake from Tuscany using the sweet fragola grapes. And preferably I'd like to make it in Tuscany!

veronicafranceOctober 1, 2013

I love Northern Italian food -- especially the simple pasta dishes with vegetables, for example tagliatelle with artichokes. But then there's pappa di pomodoro from Tuscany too ... mmm!

ae.bellOctober 2, 2013

Tuscany! I lived there in college and if I could, I'd have my host mother teacher me her basic tomato sauce because it was heavenly

wendybazilOctober 1, 2013

So hard to choose! I don't think I could tire of the cooking of any of the regions. I think that I would like to explore the cooking of Milan and Bologna in more detail. Currently, I love to make Ragu Bolognese.

lynnpaikOctober 31, 2013

Emilia-Romagna. I still dream about a checchi dish with creamy tomato sauce from a simple, family-run osteria near Parma that we happened upon on a nebbia (fog)-filled night.