Book excerpt: "A culinary gem for everyone who wants to bring the true flavor of Italy into their home." -Paula Wolfert The distinctive cuisine of Abruzzo, passed down through generations, is unveiled in this landmark cookbook. Nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains, Abruzzo is one of Italy's most striking regions, where the tastes of the earth and sea create a cuisine of vibrant flavors. Author and teacher Anna Teresa Callen grew up in Abruzzo and understands its regional specialties. Here is simple cooking at its best, with flavors kept fresh and clean. The robust tastes will linger, continuing to lure you into the kitchen to bring the joy and abundance of Italy's pastoral land to your own table. The book features more than 350 recipes such as Cardoon Soup from Anna Teresa's grandmother, the savory pie Fiadone Villese traditionally served at Easter, and the dessert La Cicerchiata from Italy's Jewish heritage. Callen's experience as a cooking teacher means the recipes are expertly written to ensure the best results every time. Framing the tempting recipes are the author's recollections of her bucolic girlhood-fishing with her father in the Adriatic, hunting for mushrooms in the forests, and rolling out pasta by hand with her mother-immersing you in the patterns of daily life in Abruzzo.