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Milk Street Backroads Italy: Finding Italy's Forgotten Recipes
Discover the real techniques, ingredients, and stories behind the Italian dishes you know and love—and the ones you've yet to try—with more than 145 delicious recipes that bring simplicity back to Italian cooking, from the James Beard Award-winning team at Milk Street.
Forget everything you thought you knew about Italian food. In Italy, cooks throw away their garlic, they don't stir their polenta, and they never labor over pans of risotto. But they do make enormous meatballs that are tender and light, and they occasionally break all the rules when making pasta.
The editors at Milk Street have spent years scouring small eateries, local markets, farms and home kitchens from Lombardy to Calabria and from Sardinia to Sicily in search of fresh takes on classic recipes as well as little-known regional favorites that never crossed the Atlantic.
On our travels we found new ways with pasta, from foolproof cacio e pepe in Rome to Puglia's olive oil—crisped fettuccine with chickpeas and a lemony pesto from Amalfi, where the pasta itself is enriched with citrus. Plus some surprising tomato sauces, including spaghetti all'assassina from Bari—spicy, charred, and made in one skillet.
We visited a Neapolitan trattoria where five sisters serenade diners with opera and serve an eggplant Parmesan that's rich, but never fried. In Northern Italy, we made meatball-like bread dumplings simmered in chicken broth. And in Sardinia, a hearty herb soup studded with pancetta, beans, and tiny nuggets of pasta.
Milk Street Backroads Italy give you a seat at the table with Italian cooks sharing the food they love, handed down from generation to generation.
Forget everything you thought you knew about Italian food. In Italy, cooks throw away their garlic, they don't stir their polenta, and they never labor over pans of risotto. But they do make enormous meatballs that are tender and light, and they occasionally break all the rules when making pasta.
The editors at Milk Street have spent years scouring small eateries, local markets, farms and home kitchens from Lombardy to Calabria and from Sardinia to Sicily in search of fresh takes on classic recipes as well as little-known regional favorites that never crossed the Atlantic.
On our travels we found new ways with pasta, from foolproof cacio e pepe in Rome to Puglia's olive oil—crisped fettuccine with chickpeas and a lemony pesto from Amalfi, where the pasta itself is enriched with citrus. Plus some surprising tomato sauces, including spaghetti all'assassina from Bari—spicy, charred, and made in one skillet.
We visited a Neapolitan trattoria where five sisters serenade diners with opera and serve an eggplant Parmesan that's rich, but never fried. In Northern Italy, we made meatball-like bread dumplings simmered in chicken broth. And in Sardinia, a hearty herb soup studded with pancetta, beans, and tiny nuggets of pasta.
Milk Street Backroads Italy give you a seat at the table with Italian cooks sharing the food they love, handed down from generation to generation.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 30, 2025
This is a wonderful Travel Cookbook. If you are unfamiliar with that classification, well so was I until this book. As a cookbook it's awesome, if you love Italian food it is definitely worth a read for the authentic recipes and Milk Street explanations and tips.
As someone who loves yet struggles with preparing Cacio y Pepe reading about the different versions they tasted in their travels and the explanation of why the pasta used makes a huge difference was eye-opening (it needs to be starchier which is achieved through using bronze die cut pasta, if you are curious).
The Travel part is the accompanying stories about the people, places and food they encountered across Italy. Anyone planning a trip there will come away with places they may want to check out. The backstories on the recipes from these places and people were very enjoyable reads.
And the photos in this book are lovely, especially the food, pretty much every one had me salivating and left me craving some pasta.
As someone who loves yet struggles with preparing Cacio y Pepe reading about the different versions they tasted in their travels and the explanation of why the pasta used makes a huge difference was eye-opening (it needs to be starchier which is achieved through using bronze die cut pasta, if you are curious).
The Travel part is the accompanying stories about the people, places and food they encountered across Italy. Anyone planning a trip there will come away with places they may want to check out. The backstories on the recipes from these places and people were very enjoyable reads.
And the photos in this book are lovely, especially the food, pretty much every one had me salivating and left me craving some pasta.
March 2, 2026
I love this cookbook. It is so genuine. Most of the recipes give you a background of how they were born and the people who make them. There are many pearls. Enjoying making this delicious food!
April 18, 2025
I love cookbooks. That isn't a secret to anyone who knows me. However, this is so much more than your average cookbook. Yes, it has recipes. Tons of recipes. But, it also has beautiful photography and stories. I think the stories were my favorite part and I could take an afternoon just reading through them. I'm honestly torn between putting this with my other cookbooks or leaving it out as a coffee table book for everyone to enjoy.
October 22, 2026
**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five-Star Review of *Milk Street Backroads Italy: Finding Italy's Forgotten Recipes***
*Milk Street Backroads Italy* is a captivating cookbook for anyone who loves Italian cuisine and enjoys discovering the stories behind traditional food. Rather than focusing only on familiar favorites, the idea of exploring forgotten recipes offers a refreshing invitation to experience Italy's culinary heritage from a different perspective. It celebrates the regional traditions, distinctive ingredients, and everyday cooking practices that make Italian food so beloved around the world.
One of the things I appreciate most about this cookbook is its emphasis on discovery. Italian cuisine is wonderfully diverse, with each region offering its own flavors, techniques, and treasured specialties. Exploring lesser-known recipes gives readers an opportunity to move beyond the usual dishes and appreciate the creativity that has shaped generations of home cooking. It also encourages curiosity about ingredients and methods that may be unfamiliar but are well worth exploring.
Another appealing quality is the connection between food and cultural history. Traditional recipes often carry memories of family gatherings, local celebrations, and the resourcefulness of home cooks who made the most of available ingredients. Discovering these dishes can make cooking feel more meaningful, turning a recipe into a small window into another place and way of life.
I also love how a cookbook centered on regional Italian food can inspire experimentation in the kitchen. Readers can explore new flavor combinations, learn different approaches to familiar ingredients, and bring a little of Italy's culinary character into their own homes. Whether preparing a relaxed family dinner or planning a special meal, these discoveries can make the cooking experience more rewarding.
Overall, *Milk Street Backroads Italy* is an appealing addition to the collection of anyone who appreciates international cuisine, traditional recipes, and culinary storytelling. Its focus on lesser-known Italian dishes makes it especially attractive to adventurous home cooks who enjoy learning through food.
**Five stars!** This cookbook offers a wonderful opportunity to rediscover Italy's culinary treasures, appreciate the traditions behind its food, and bring fresh inspiration to everyday cooking. A delightful choice for anyone who believes that some of the most memorable meals begin with a willingness to explore something new.
*Milk Street Backroads Italy* is a captivating cookbook for anyone who loves Italian cuisine and enjoys discovering the stories behind traditional food. Rather than focusing only on familiar favorites, the idea of exploring forgotten recipes offers a refreshing invitation to experience Italy's culinary heritage from a different perspective. It celebrates the regional traditions, distinctive ingredients, and everyday cooking practices that make Italian food so beloved around the world.
One of the things I appreciate most about this cookbook is its emphasis on discovery. Italian cuisine is wonderfully diverse, with each region offering its own flavors, techniques, and treasured specialties. Exploring lesser-known recipes gives readers an opportunity to move beyond the usual dishes and appreciate the creativity that has shaped generations of home cooking. It also encourages curiosity about ingredients and methods that may be unfamiliar but are well worth exploring.
Another appealing quality is the connection between food and cultural history. Traditional recipes often carry memories of family gatherings, local celebrations, and the resourcefulness of home cooks who made the most of available ingredients. Discovering these dishes can make cooking feel more meaningful, turning a recipe into a small window into another place and way of life.
I also love how a cookbook centered on regional Italian food can inspire experimentation in the kitchen. Readers can explore new flavor combinations, learn different approaches to familiar ingredients, and bring a little of Italy's culinary character into their own homes. Whether preparing a relaxed family dinner or planning a special meal, these discoveries can make the cooking experience more rewarding.
Overall, *Milk Street Backroads Italy* is an appealing addition to the collection of anyone who appreciates international cuisine, traditional recipes, and culinary storytelling. Its focus on lesser-known Italian dishes makes it especially attractive to adventurous home cooks who enjoy learning through food.
**Five stars!** This cookbook offers a wonderful opportunity to rediscover Italy's culinary treasures, appreciate the traditions behind its food, and bring fresh inspiration to everyday cooking. A delightful choice for anyone who believes that some of the most memorable meals begin with a willingness to explore something new.
April 24, 2025
I review cookbooks in my food column, FORK & FOLIO for The Berkshire Eagle.
Full Review here: https://www.berkshireeagle.com/arts_a...
What is Italian cuisine?
It's a lot less tomato sauce and pasta than you believe.
(Breathe. Set aside your Italian American expectations: one-size-fits-all ragus, red sauces/gravies, cream-based Alfredo sauces, Parmesans and parmigianas over pasta, garlic bread and the like. Breathe.)
It's a whole lot more: artichokes, arugula, anchovies, arborio and carnaroli rice, beans, broccoli rabe, capers, cheeses, endive, escarole, garlic, lentils, nuts, olives, olive oil, pancetta and guanciale, polenta, Porcini mushrooms, prosciutto, radicchio, semolina flour and vinegar — and tomatoes and pasta. The cuisine is as diverse as the country's regions — so diverse that Christopher Kimball, founder, and J.M. Hirsch, editorial director, of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, are still learning something new every time they visit Italy. In Milk Street's newest cookbook, "Backroads Italy: Finding Italy's Forgotten Recipes," the pair share the secrets they've learned scouring small eateries, local markets, farms and home kitchens: Cooks throw away their garlic, they don't stir their polenta and they don't fry their eggplant before making parmigiana.
Full Review here: https://www.berkshireeagle.com/arts_a...
What is Italian cuisine?
It's a lot less tomato sauce and pasta than you believe.
(Breathe. Set aside your Italian American expectations: one-size-fits-all ragus, red sauces/gravies, cream-based Alfredo sauces, Parmesans and parmigianas over pasta, garlic bread and the like. Breathe.)
It's a whole lot more: artichokes, arugula, anchovies, arborio and carnaroli rice, beans, broccoli rabe, capers, cheeses, endive, escarole, garlic, lentils, nuts, olives, olive oil, pancetta and guanciale, polenta, Porcini mushrooms, prosciutto, radicchio, semolina flour and vinegar — and tomatoes and pasta. The cuisine is as diverse as the country's regions — so diverse that Christopher Kimball, founder, and J.M. Hirsch, editorial director, of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, are still learning something new every time they visit Italy. In Milk Street's newest cookbook, "Backroads Italy: Finding Italy's Forgotten Recipes," the pair share the secrets they've learned scouring small eateries, local markets, farms and home kitchens: Cooks throw away their garlic, they don't stir their polenta and they don't fry their eggplant before making parmigiana.
September 12, 2026
★★★★★
**A beautiful journey through Italy’s hidden culinary traditions!**
*Milk Street Backroads Italy* is a wonderful celebration of the lesser-known side of Italian cooking. Rather than focusing only on familiar classics, the book shines a light on regional recipes, local traditions, and the distinctive flavors found beyond Italy’s most famous food destinations.
What makes this cookbook especially appealing is its sense of discovery. Each recipe feels like an invitation to explore a different corner of Italy and understand how geography, culture, and tradition have shaped the food people prepare and share. The collection offers plenty of inspiration for anyone who loves authentic, regional cooking.
I particularly appreciate the way the book makes these forgotten or overlooked recipes feel accessible to the home cook. It encourages experimentation while keeping the focus on the ingredients and techniques that give Italian food its character.
This is much more than a collection of recipes. It is a celebration of culinary heritage and the stories behind the food. For anyone who loves Italian cuisine or enjoys discovering dishes beyond the usual repertoire, this cookbook is a wonderful addition to the kitchen.
Five stars for its sense of adventure, regional variety, thoughtful recipes, and celebration o
**A beautiful journey through Italy’s hidden culinary traditions!**
*Milk Street Backroads Italy* is a wonderful celebration of the lesser-known side of Italian cooking. Rather than focusing only on familiar classics, the book shines a light on regional recipes, local traditions, and the distinctive flavors found beyond Italy’s most famous food destinations.
What makes this cookbook especially appealing is its sense of discovery. Each recipe feels like an invitation to explore a different corner of Italy and understand how geography, culture, and tradition have shaped the food people prepare and share. The collection offers plenty of inspiration for anyone who loves authentic, regional cooking.
I particularly appreciate the way the book makes these forgotten or overlooked recipes feel accessible to the home cook. It encourages experimentation while keeping the focus on the ingredients and techniques that give Italian food its character.
This is much more than a collection of recipes. It is a celebration of culinary heritage and the stories behind the food. For anyone who loves Italian cuisine or enjoys discovering dishes beyond the usual repertoire, this cookbook is a wonderful addition to the kitchen.
Five stars for its sense of adventure, regional variety, thoughtful recipes, and celebration o
September 21, 2026
Milk Street Backroads Italy is a wonderful celebration of the lesser-known side of Italian cooking. What I enjoyed most is the way the book moves beyond familiar Italian dishes and introduces recipes and culinary traditions that feel deeply connected to local communities and everyday life.
The recipes are inspiring without feeling unnecessarily complicated, and the writing makes each dish feel like part of a larger journey through Italy. There is a real sense of discovery throughout the book, especially in the attention given to regional ingredients, techniques, and food traditions that may not be as familiar to home cooks.
The photography and presentation also add to the experience, making this feel like more than just a cookbook. It is the kind of book that encourages you to slow down, explore unfamiliar flavors, and bring something new to the dinner table.
For anyone who loves Italian food and wants to discover recipes beyond the usual pasta and pizza staples, this is a fantastic addition to a cookbook collection. It combines travel, culture, history, and practical cooking inspiration beautifully. Five stars for the sense of discovery and the wonderful reminder that some of Italy's most memorable dishes can be found far from the well-known culinary destinations.
The recipes are inspiring without feeling unnecessarily complicated, and the writing makes each dish feel like part of a larger journey through Italy. There is a real sense of discovery throughout the book, especially in the attention given to regional ingredients, techniques, and food traditions that may not be as familiar to home cooks.
The photography and presentation also add to the experience, making this feel like more than just a cookbook. It is the kind of book that encourages you to slow down, explore unfamiliar flavors, and bring something new to the dinner table.
For anyone who loves Italian food and wants to discover recipes beyond the usual pasta and pizza staples, this is a fantastic addition to a cookbook collection. It combines travel, culture, history, and practical cooking inspiration beautifully. Five stars for the sense of discovery and the wonderful reminder that some of Italy's most memorable dishes can be found far from the well-known culinary destinations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
Part armchair travel with the many essays and large part cookbook filled with Milk Street’s reliable and interesting recipes, Milk Street: Backroads Italy is a comprehensive Italian cookbook. The recipes include standards you would expect such as pastas, risottos, zuppi (soup), and dolci (sweets), but they are not same-old-same-old ones. They are like skipping the tourist trap restaurants and finding little out of the way places that have spectacular food.
A number of the recipes have been featured in earlier Milk Street cookbooks and issues of their magazine. That said, I like having all things Italian from them compiled into one (beautiful) book.
Voracious Books provided me with a copy of this cookbook; the opinions shared are my unbiased review.
A number of the recipes have been featured in earlier Milk Street cookbooks and issues of their magazine. That said, I like having all things Italian from them compiled into one (beautiful) book.
Voracious Books provided me with a copy of this cookbook; the opinions shared are my unbiased review.
September 17, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **A Beautiful Journey Through Italian Cooking**
*Milk Street Backroads Italy* is a wonderful cookbook for anyone who loves authentic Italian flavors and discovering recipes beyond the familiar classics. I really enjoyed the focus on lesser-known regional dishes and the stories behind them, which make the book feel like a culinary journey through Italy. The recipes are inspiring without feeling overly complicated, and they encourage you to explore new ingredients, techniques, and flavor combinations. It’s a fantastic way to bring a taste of Italy’s diverse food traditions into your own kitchen. A beautifully engaging cookbook that I’ll happily return to whenever I want something special and comforting!
*Milk Street Backroads Italy* is a wonderful cookbook for anyone who loves authentic Italian flavors and discovering recipes beyond the familiar classics. I really enjoyed the focus on lesser-known regional dishes and the stories behind them, which make the book feel like a culinary journey through Italy. The recipes are inspiring without feeling overly complicated, and they encourage you to explore new ingredients, techniques, and flavor combinations. It’s a fantastic way to bring a taste of Italy’s diverse food traditions into your own kitchen. A beautifully engaging cookbook that I’ll happily return to whenever I want something special and comforting!
January 27, 2026
This book is more than a cookbook, it is a travel log with food the objective. I so wish I had read this book prior to my wife and I's trip to Italy a few years ago. After reading about the haunts the author's ventured, it would have been fascinating to follow in some of their footsteps. Before finishing the book I already tried three recipes and was not disappointed. Reading this cover to cover, every recipe gave me impetus and encouragement to attempt in my kitchen what was displayed and mapped out in easy to follow guidelines. If you are in the least bit interested in Italian cuisine you should read this book and put it in your library and put it into practice in your kitchen.
January 22, 2026
This was an interesting and enlightening cookbook, highlighting the backroads of Italy. There are so many different recipes filled with history and delicious food, which I look forward to trying the recipes I saved. A lot of these recipes contain ingredients I can not have or do not like, so there was a lost chance of them due to that, but it shouldn't deter others away from them, as a lot of them look delicious from the photos. Overall, this was a decent Italian cookbook focusing on the hidden from the spotlight that have plenty to give.
August 10, 2025
I rarely actually read a cookbook, but this is the exception. The stories along with the recipes make this cookbook so unique. I actually made a delicious fettuccine Alfredo! I can’t wait to make more.
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December 1, 2025I didn't like this cookbook. There were two recipes I liked and I am forgetting one of them. The other was for fettucine alfredo which wasn't a typical alfredo recipe because the recipe just had parmesan cheese and salted butter. It was a cheesy butter pasta recipe.
May 7, 2025
A wonderful cook book. I have tried a few recipes and will try more. Love the history of the regions
June 2, 2025
I enjoyed the out of the way places described.
July 3, 2025
This book had so many wonderful recipes!
July 9, 2025
Tasty collection of little known recipes with easy to follow directions.
September 4, 2025
Not just a cookbook! A treasure trove of culinary history, techniques and an armchair travel experience of Italy’s countryside depicted by gorgeous photography.
September 24, 2025
So many lovely recipes THAT I CANNOT MAKE BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL GLUTEN AND DAIRY. What was I thinking??
March 15, 2026
This was a large cookbook with a lot of backstory to read and lovely photographs. There was also a lot of great recipes.
May 5, 2026
Gorgeous cookbook with amazing recipes. The tiramisu recipe is amazing.
January 1, 2026
While I try not to purchase cookbooks anymore, after repeated looking at this one in the bookstore, I succumbed and spent the month of December browsing through it. I do like the Milk Street cookbooks as the recipes are clearly written and with helpful hints. This one was fun as there is lots beyond the recipes as they go around the regions of Italy looking for the best of well known Italian foods plus finding some not so well known ones. Have lots of post-a-notes marking recipes I want to try.
October 3, 2025
A great read with some really doable fresh, simple recipes. I need to get this book back out of the library and make note of some of the restaurants mentioned!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews