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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Its a kind of combination of healthy and simple food.
[…] told him that I was trying to bring recipes like cucina povera to the US, and he was very happy to hear it! I’ve added a link for a video about Chef […]
Thanks for sharing the recipes passed down from your Italian parents. I just love Italian food. The dried zucchini with potatoes and pancetta looks great. I’m not a great cook myself, but I would love to find something like this in a restaurant.
When I was little my Mother always minestra with dandelions we picked ourselves. Then she would make polenta and fry it in a black frying pan, and it was great to dunk in greens.
That sounds lovely, Concetta! Do you still make it?
you left out what in our family we referred to as “re zut” which I found later in life was rizzuto – spelling?? apparently it is a northern italy thing – our friends from Naples didn’t know what we were talking about. This was a staple with stewed chicken, dumplings etc.
Oh goodness, this is not even the tip of the iceberg, Marcia! This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list, only a few recipes that I have on my site. I’ve never heard of that dish, but then again there will be hundreds and thousands of regional dishes across Italy like this. Sounds almost like “risotto”?
Love keeping up with your travel adventures and the wonderful recipes you share. My Mom, who turned 91 in April this year, comes from Rome. She met my Dad towards the end of World War ll, they married in August 1945 and she has been living in Cape Town, South Africa, since then. My late husband was Dutch so as you can well imagine keeping everyone happy at the dinner table was quite a challenge. All turned out fine.
Thanks so much for your note, Pat! What a wonderfully international family, I love it!! I can imagine you have quite the repertoire when it comes to the dinner menu. Hope you enjoyed some of these Italian recipes, too! :)
I most certainly will, always keen to try something new. Thank you Christina
Perfetto ! Ma non e povero . E ricco e delicioso. Grazie mille !
Si! È vero!! Grazie! :)
This is such a great collection of easy dishes. Such a great reminder that really delicious and healthy food doesn’t need to be complicated or time consuming!
That’s what the basis of Italian food is all about! :)