Flavors of Basilicata: Cooking the food of happiness Hardcover – Large Print, October 7, 2025

This recipe book of traditional Lucanian dishes and cuisine provides cooks with a taste of authentic foods from the Basilicata region of Italy. Many of these recipes are not known to Italian Americans who are now four or more generations removed from their Italian ancestors, that arrived in the US at the turn of the 20th century.Most families preserved their Nonnas' recipes over the years, but in reality, these recipes evolved for various reasons. In many cases, the ingredients used in Italy were not available in their new homeland. Resourceful and adaptable, Nonnas made substitutions with locally available ingredients. As these recipes were passed down from mothers to daughters, further modifications occurred due to changing food availability and evolving tastes.By the mid-20th century, commercially produced Italian products became widely available, simplifying the preparation of traditional dishes. Homemade pasta, wine, vinegar, and cured meats were increasingly replaced by store-bought alternatives.The recipes in this publication are presented as originally compiled by the Regione Basilicata, Dipartimento Agricoltura e Sviluppo Rurale, in their publication Ristorante Lucano nel Mondo. They were translated in 2007 and published by the Craco Society as Sapori di Craco for its members. This publication builds upon that work, enhanced with the assistance of EGO55 of Matera, Italy, to make it more accessible and practical for today’s audience Read more