The Talisman Italian Cookbook

By Ada Boni, Matilde La Rosa (translator),

Book cover of The Talisman Italian Cookbook

Book description

Il Talismano is and has been for over 50 years the one great standard Italian cookbook. It is to Italians what Joy of Cooking is to Americans. Containing in simple and clear form the best recipes for all the foods that we associate with Italian cuisine, it covers all the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Talisman Italian Cookbook as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Ada Boni's culinary bible, Il talismano della felicità, first saw the light of day in 1928, six years after Benito Mussolini had succeeded in uniting Italy's quarrelsome regions under the banner of fascism.

Specifically targeted at the nation's housewives - ordinary folk on whose support El Duce rose to power in 1922 - this collection of nearly a thousand simple, practical traditional recipes for regional dishes became the dictator's favourite cookbook, as it did for generations of Italian women (still does). 

I first came across it on an Italian friend's recommendation while researching European Peasant Cookery and attempting to unravel…

From Elisabeth's list on cookbooks published at moments of change.

Want books like The Talisman Italian Cookbook?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Talisman Italian Cookbook.

Browse books like The Talisman Italian Cookbook

Book cover of A Book of Middle Eastern Food
Book cover of Traditional Portuguese Cooking
Book cover of Food In England: A complete guide to the food that makes us who we are

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,188

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Italy, Benito Mussolini, and Rome?

Italy 410 books
Benito Mussolini 12 books
Rome 339 books