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Italian-Themed Books and Cookbooks: Appetito Gift Guide

Appetito recommends these books from our contributors for the Italian food & drink enthusiasts on your list.

3:19 PM EST on December 13, 2023

Book covers

We love to celebrate cookbooks and cocktail books at Appetito. Some of other favorites can be found here. For the 2023 holiday season, we wanted to recommend books published (mostly) recently by our contributors that will surely please the Italian food & drink enthusiast on your list (and hopefully earn you some homemade Italian fare and cocktails as a result):

The Olive Oil Enthusiast by Skyler Mapes and Giuseppe Morisani

The Olive Oil Enthusiast by Skyler Mapes and Giuseppe Morisani. Illustration by Maria Jesus Contreras.

Cooking with Nonna: Sunday Dinners with La Famiglia by Rossella Rago

Cooking with Nonna: Sunday Dinners with La Famiglia by Rossella Rago.

Italy Cocktails by Paul Feinstein

Italy Cocktails by Paul Feinstein.

The newest book on this list, just released, comes from Paul Feinstein, who spent years collecting 100-plus recipes that define the burgeoning world of Italian cocktails.

Food of the Italian Islands by Katie Parla

Food of the Italian Islands by Katie Parla.

The Delmonico's Way: Sublime Entertaining & Legendary Recipes from the Restaurant That Made New York by Max Tucci

The Delmonico's Way: Sublime Entertaining & Legendary Recipes from the Restaurant That Made New York by Max Tucci.

Italy by Ingredient by Viola Buitoni

Italy by Ingredient will be published by Rizzoli USA in September 2023.

Pasta et Al by Alec Morris

Pasta et Al by Alec Morris.

The Food of Sicily by Fabrizia Lanza

The Food of Sicily, a book by Fabrizia Lanza

Cucina Povera by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Cucina Povera by Giulia Scarpaleggia (Artisan Books).

The Story of Pasta by Steven Guarnaccia

The Story of Pasta, by Steven Guarnaccia, is a new book tracing the stories of 35 pasta shapes, with illustrations by the author.

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The Uncomplicated Art of a Real Pomodoro

Tracing the roots of the “golden apple” through Abruzzo and the Italian coast to a South Philly cucina.

October 16, 2026

Italian Zucchini Crostini: A Recipe Souvenir From Rome

A memorable bite in Rome becomes an appetizer worth bringing home.

October 16, 2026

“Chef’s Table” Star Alessandra Spisni in the Hills of Bologna

In a farmhouse kitchen outside Bologna, Ruggero Pini films the pasta traditions that bring him back to his grandparents’ table.

October 15, 2026

Hotel Tenuta di Artimino: A Medici Estate Stay Near Florence

Enjoy Florence by day and return to the Tuscan countryside for dinner with a view.

October 15, 2026

Appetito’s EIC Visits Good Day New York on Columbus Day

Appetito's Andrew Cotto appeared on Good Day New York with key contributor Joanna Moeller to talk and prepare Italian food.

October 14, 2026