Food of the Italian South
85 authentic recipes and 100 stunning photographs that capture the cultural and cooking traditions of the Italian South, from the mountains to the coast.
In most cultures, exploring food means exploring history—and the Italian south has plenty of both to offer. The pasta-heavy, tomato-forward “Italian food” the world knows and loves does not actually represent the entire country; rather, these beloved and widespread culinary traditions hail from the regional cuisines of the south. Acclaimed author and food journalist Katie Parla takes you on a tour through these vibrant destinations so you can sink your teeth into the secrets of their rustic, romantic dishes.

About Food of the Italian South
Parla shares rich recipes, both original and reimagined, along with historical and cultural insights that encapsulate the miles of rugged beaches, sheep-dotted mountains, meditatively quiet towns, and, most important, culinary traditions unique to this precious piece of Italy.
With just a bite of the Involtini alla Piazzetta from farm-rich Campania, a taste of Giurgiulena from the sugar-happy kitchens of Calabria, a forkful of ’U Pan’ Cuott’ from mountainous Basilicata, a morsel of Focaccia from coastal Puglia, or a mouthful of Pizz e Foje from quaint Molise, you’ll discover what makes the food of the Italian south unique.
Get your autographed copy of Food of the Italian South today!
Nice People Said Good Things About
Food of the Italian South
“
“Food of the Italian South is a rich, personal, and irresistible collection of undiscovered recipes and stories of regional cooking passed down from generation to generation.”
Evan Funke
“
“This excellent volume proves that no matter how well-trodden the Italian cookbook path is, an expert with genuine curiosity and a well-developed voice can still find new material.”
Publisher's Weekly
“
“Katie Parla, or how I refer to her, ‘my Italian Goddess from Jersey,’ has taught me so much about food, life, friendship, and the importance of Danzig over the last few years. She has single-handedly and lovingly organized all of my culinary trips to Italy and Sicily, including our last trip to Puglia, the mysterious southern heel. I have personally woven a custom Koozie for this incredible book, which I carry close to my heart as a guide for the Italian South.”
Eric Wareheim
“
“Every time I think I’ve seen it all, Katie Parla schools me and opens up an entirely new chapter of mind-blowing simplicity that I become obsessed with. This book proves to be no different. As I delve into these salacious recipes, I can only imagine where she will take me next!”
Marc Vetri
“
“Katie Parla is without peer when it comes to cataloguing, eating, writing, and cooking about the foods of Italy. I’m biased. She’s my friend and colleague, and for years she has shown me the Italy of my dreams, in her books and just hopping in the car and taking off on the autostrada. As Katie says, ‘this is a calling,’ a duty for her to make sure these little culinary corners of her beloved Italy are revealed to us. But it’s her passion, her gorgeously fun writing style, and these amazing recipes from the Italian South that become our gifts to receive. Intelligent and thorough, I sat salivating while paging through this book, longing to be back in the convertible, driving the Amalfi Coast in search of that next great meal. Food of the Italian South will win awards, become an instant classic, and thrill the critics, no doubt about it. The real gift is that we get to see this part of Italy through Katie’s eye for detail, her luminous stories, and these amazing recipes.”
Andrew Zimmern
“
“Katie has unlocked the deliciousness of Italy’s South. This book brings the cuisine of lesser-known regions in an incredibly diverse culinary country to your home. She provides entertaining insight to her personal heritage while honoring the area’s culture and traditions. I can’t wait to get in the kitchen and start cooking this book!”
Sarah Grueneberg
“
“What do you want? A beautifully well-documented book that feels like visiting the soul of Italy, with pictures so good you can practically taste the authentic recipes? It’s right here, friends. Transport yourself.”
Joe Beddia, Chef and Owner of Pizzeria Beddia
The Food of the Italian South book tour may be coming to a city near you!
March 4 “The Katie Parla” Sandwich Launch at Waxpaper in Los Angeles
March 5, 2019 Aperitivo at Good Stock in NYC
March 12, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Fiorella in Rochester *
March 13-14, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Sotto in Cincinnati *
March 15, 2019 Demo and Signing at Glorioso’s in Milwaukee
March 16, 2019 Event at Anodyne in Milwaukee *
March 18, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at SheWolf in Detroit
March 19, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Monteverde in Chicago *
March 20, 2019 Aperitivo at Lost Lake in Chicago *
March 21, 2019 Signing at Bonci in Chicago
March 24, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Coperta in Denver *
March 25, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Frasca in Boulder*
March 26, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Felix in Los Angeles
March 27, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at A16 in Oakland*
March 28, 2019 Signing at Omnivore in San Francisco
March 29, 2019 Cookbook Event at La Storia in San Jose
March 31, 2019 Signing at Now Serving in Los Angeles
April 2, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Tratto in Phoenix*
April 3, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Vetri in Vegas*
April 5, 2019 Cookbook Launch and Dinner at Corbo & Sons at Bell Market in Holmdel, NJ*
April 6, 2019 Book Signing at West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market
April 7, 2019 Ice Cream Happy Hour at OddFellows in Brooklyn
April 8, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Contra in NYC*
April 9, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Officina in DC
April 10, 2019 (Optional) Run and Aperitivo at Lululemon in NYC
April 11, 2019 Pizza Party at Ops in Brooklyn
April 14, 2019 Presentation and Signing at Altomonte’s in Doylestown, PA
April 15, 2019 Cookbook dinner at Andiario in West Chester, PA
April 16, 2019 Cookbook Presentation at Drexel in Philadelphia*
April 17, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Luca in Lancaster, PA*
April 18, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Sarto in Providence*
April 19, 2019 Cookbook Q&A and Signing at Archestratus in Brooklyn
April 20, 2019 Pizza Party at Razza in Jersey City
April 22, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Osteria Radici in Allentown, NJ*
April 23, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Coppa in Boston*
April 27, 2019 Demo and Wine Tasting at Lou in Los Angeles
April 29, 2019 Cookbook Dinner with Helen’s Wines at Animal in Los Angeles
April 30, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Bettina Pizzeria in Santa Barbara*
May 15, 2019 Cookbook Signing at Almost Corner Bookshop in Rome
June 2, 2019 Katie Parla and Rachel Roddy Talk Food Writing at Otherwise Bookshop in Rome
June 13, 2019 Cookbook Talk with Stacy Adimando at MOFAD in Brooklyn*
June 14, 2019 Cookbook and Wine Dinner at Niche Niche in NYC*
June 26, 2019 Aperitivo at Bar Buca in Toronto*
June 27, 2019 Warehouse Supper Club Dinner at Gustiamo in Bronx, NY
July 14, 2019 Open House at Real Good Food in Portland
July 15, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Lovelys Fifty Fifty in Portland
July 17, 2019 Aperitivo at Bar Norman in Portland*
July 21, 2019 Cookbook Signing at Book Larder in Seattle*
July 22, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Willmott’s Ghost in Seattle*
July 27, 2019 Cookbook Signing at Unions Square Green Market in NYC
July 27, 2019 Cookbook Dinner at Sullivan Street Pizzeria in NYC
July 28, 2019 Wine Bootcamp at La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels in NYC*
July 29, 2019 Aperitivo at Dante in NYC
July 30, 2019 A Conversation with Missy Robbins at The Wing in NYC*
July 31, 2019 Event at Marta in NYC
September 7, 2019 Food of the Italian South Dinner at Macari in Mattituck, NY*
October 13, 2019 Food of the Italian South at DiAnoia’s Eatery in Pittsburgh
October 14, 2019 Food of the Italian South at Lidia’s Kansas City
October 15, 2019 Pizza Party at Coronato Pizzeria, North Carolina
October 16, 2019 Food of the Italian South at Left Bank Books in St. Louis
October 17, 2019 Food of the Italian South at Sardella in St. Louis*
*Event sponsored byPastificio Di Martino