Experience Umbria--explore the simple, yet refined cuisine of this undiscovered region of Italy with award-winning author Julia della Croce. Replete with stunning beauty and rich in natural resources, Umbria relies on its abundant fields and forests to provide wholesome ingredients for its hearty dishes: vegetables, lentils, and farro; pungent herbs, wild mushrooms, and black truffles. The surrounding hill towns of Orvieto, Assisi, and Trevi produce some of the finest wine and olive oil in all of Italy. It's a wonder that the cuisine of Umbria is only now being brought to light in this delightful cookbook. Julia della Croce, a leading authority on Italian cooking, unveils the foods, recipes, and culinary folklore of a region that has its roots in Etruria, Italy's oldest and most fascinating civilization. Beginning with the classic ingredients of the Umbrian pantry, she presents delicious, authentic recipes for the home cook. From simple basics, such as black truffles on bread toasted over an open fire to more challenging dishes, including pollo in porchetta (Chicken Roasted in the Manner of Suckling Pig), Umbrian flavours are distinctively robust and uncomplicated. Pasta varieties unique to Umbria are particularly delectable topped with unusual sauces made with asparagus or a savoury blend of sausage, lemon and nutmeg. Lush colour photos of the Umbrian countryside, village markets, and--of course--the food, are highlighted by tidbits of history and quotes from the locals - this comprehensive volume is more than a cookbook. It's an inviting look at one of the most enchanting regions of Italy.