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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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Fresh figs and honey bring a seasonal touch to a sparkling classic.

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Dinner for One Deserves Pumpkin Vodka Pasta 

A meal for yourself can be made with the same care as one shared with company.

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The Soul of Pozzallo: Finding Sunday Sauce on the Sicilian Coast

Trattoria ’nta Nonna is a delicious starting point for exploring this seaside town.

Cooking with Nonno in Rome: A Pasta Class in Testaccio

Family recipes and stories bring two generations together around the kitchen table.

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An Appetito Event: “Octoberfesta” at Song’E Napule in NYC

first "Octoberfesta" event where will celebrate Italian Heritage Month with our NYC community.

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Antonia Sautter: Creating the World of Il Ballo del Doge in Venice

The designer brings chefs, costumes and theatrical spectacle together for one of Venice’s most elaborate Carnival celebrations.

September 30, 2026