I’d like to introduce you to 10 traditional and authentic Italian cucina povera recipes which have been passed down within my family.

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What is Cucina Povera?
These are “cucina povera” style recipes, which essentially means “peasant food” (literally “poor cooking” or “poor kitchen”).
Since I shared a load of English and Scottish recipes when I was in those respective countries, I thought it would be nice to do the same with Italian recipes, given that I’m currently in Italy right now. I came to speak on a round table at the Turin Epicurean annual event featuring everything from food to fashion. More to come on that soon!

Cucina Povera dishes are mostly always made using super simple recipes, containing a minimal of ingredients. Usually, the products and seasonal and locally grown. As you would probably guess, those ingredients must be the best quality. There’s nothing to hide the lack of flavor otherwise.
Cucina povera recipes are the antitheses of American “Italian” chain restaurant’s dishes. If you enjoy this type of menu, that’s totally fine, just know that there is essentially nothing on it that is truly Italian.

Traditional Italian food is not smothered in sauces, tons of cheese and/or “lots of herbs and spices”. Those are American concoctions. Authentic Italian dishes are mostly light, include lots of vegetables, very little cheese (even on pizza) and are very healthy/nutritious.
Most “Italian” recipes I see aren’t even remotely Italian
I get very upset seeing many bloggers sharing “Italian” recipes when they have made up a recipe including tomatoes and oregano on their own and call it “Italian”. People in the US also tend to think that Italian food is heavy and fattening.
It’s very frustrating as I’m trying to share and inform readers what REAL Italian-style food looks and tastes like. Cucina povera recipes fall under the classification of the Mediterranean diet which is extremely healthy and nutritious!
Since you may have never heard of or seen these dishes before, I’m adding a comment left by a reader below each photo. It may entice you to try something really new!
I hope you enjoy my family’s recipes: a true taste of Italy. (Click on the dish title for the full recipe.)
10 Italian Cucina Povera Recipes Passed Down
Within my Family
1. Pasta and Beans (aka Pasta e Fagioli)

2. Roasted Red Peppers

3. Polenta

4. Dried Zucchini

5. Dried Zucchini with Pancetta and Potatoes

6. Cabbage and Rice

7. Minestra

8. Pickled Eggplant/Aubergines

9. Zucchini and Mushrooms

10. Cioffe (Bows)

I hope you enjoyed these recipes, and if you’d like to see more of my Italian recipes, just click HERE.
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What a lovely collection of old time recipes! Most of which I knew, but the dried zucchini is a new one for me. How I wish I knew about that a few years back when I was growing my own and didn’t know what to do with the incredible bounty… couldn’t give it away fast enough to keep up with the production!
Thank you, Frank! Oh yes, that’s such a great way to use a bounty of zucchini! Tastes so different when it’s rehydrated, too! Lovely treat in the winter!
You have the best Italian recipes! I am looking forward to new recipes after your Turin trip. So excited to hear about it.
Thanks, Cathy!
I love so many of these, and know I will love all those I have yet to try! I am most excited about the homemade pancetta! This will be happening REALLY soon in our home!
Love to hear it. Thanks, David, and let me know how it turns out!
Great collection of recipes and great pics. This is the food I grew up on!
Thank you, I’m glad you like it!
I have always thought of Italian dishes as fattening Christina. Now I know they are not at all like the Italian meals served here and in the USA. I travelled in Greece and the food there is not like what we get in our Greek restaurants in Canada so I should have know this. I look forward everyday to reading about your food and travel adventures…
Thank you for saying this, Lindsay. It truly is sad to see the representation of most Italian food in the US, especially, and I’m glad you know now what it is supposed to be like!
All of these dishes look and sound amazing! I really love that dried courgette, pancetta and potato dish though, it’s sounds absolutely divine!
Thank you, Michelle!
All of your recipes look delicious; however, your dried zucchini recipe really caught my attention. … drying zucchini is new to me. This is definitely something I look forward to trying this summer!
Thank you, Sue! Definitely give the zucchini a try!
What delicious looking recipes – ALL of them.
Christina, I am so with you on the authentic and using the best ingredients.
Looking forward so much to hearing about your culinary trip to Turin – love seeing the ambience there on your social media.