Italy in Small Bites

by Carol Field

Award-winning author Carol Field offers the first cookbook to focus on the Italian tradition of merende , a between-meals meal that features such favorites as pizza and focaccia. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner may mark the beginning, middle, and end of the day, but for centuries Italians have eaten two small, informal meals that come in between. Italy in Small Bites is the first-ever collection of recipes for these bite-size treats, known as spuntini and merende , which are the soul food of Italy. Spuntini , the midmorning snack, can be as simple as a sublime walnut-and-raisin-studded coffee cake, while merende , which are enjoyed mid-afternoon, might be a wedge of onion frittata or artichoke tart, a crunchy pillow of fried dough served with figs or prosciutto, a purée of fava beans, or sweet peppers mounded on a slice of rustic country bread. More than a snack, but less than a meal, these “small bites” get Italians through to the next meal. Merende make perfect impromptu meals because they are stunningly simple and meant to make life easier. Some may be familiar-such as bruschetta with various toppings, frittate, vegetable tarts, polenta, or crostini—while others are revelations. Served individually or in combination, these dishes are healthy, inexpensive, casual, and are as suitable for entertaining as they are for easy weekday meals. Italy in Small Bites is a classic book, updated with a new jacket and introduction by the author.

Genres: Cookbooks, Italian Literature, Italy, Cooking, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 1993

About the author

Carol Field was an American cookbook author. She wrote about Italy and Italian food since 1972. Her television appearances included being featured with Mario Batali on his series and and baking bread with Julia Child on her series.

Reviews

[Matthew Weymar · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many good recipes in here, and such a welcome departure for me from more familiar territory.

[Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many other Italian cookbooks out there better than this one. I found the recipes and the text kind of uninspired.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol Field's Italy in Small Bites
should be compared and contrasted with Joyce Goldstein's Enoteca.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bread plays central role in many recipes for merende. Some recipes I want to try. Would have liked photos of the foods.