La Nostra Cucina Povera – Italian Everyday Cooking
Luca & Salla-Maria Platania
Text & Recipes: Luca & Salla-Maria Platania
Editing: Elina Lähteenmäki
Translation: Rebecca Watson
Photography & Layout Design: Viola Minerva Virtamo
Language: English
A Culinary Journey Beneath the Southern Sun
Embark on a culinary journey under the southern sun—from Parmigiana di Melanzane to “imperfect” Carbonara, from Minestra di Verdure to mini Pizzette—and of course, no meal would be complete without the sweet treats of Nonna! La Nostra Cucina Povera brings together 40 beloved everyday recipes that have been passed down through generations in the Platania family. Each dish recalls memories of Luca’s childhood and youth in Rome.
Cucina povera—the "poor kitchen"—is a traditional Italian cooking style focused on simple, honest ingredients. Born out of necessity in the Middle Ages to make use of leftovers, this way of cooking is more relevant today than ever: because good, affordable food never loses its value.
This book demonstrates that the best flavours come from real ingredients and creativity—not from abundance. It also offers practical tips on pantry stocking and small ideas to add a personal touch to each recipe.
Luca and Salla-Maria Platania, an Italian-Finnish couple, love cooking simple, honest dishes together in their family kitchen. For Luca—a restaurateur and pizza enthusiast—cooking is a language of affection, learned from his southern Italian mother from a young age.