Chewing the Fat - Episode 46

In this episode, the first of two parts, I chat with Karima Moyer-Nocchi, author of Chewing the Fat, an Oral History of Italian Foodways from Fascism to Dolce Vita. In the book she delves into an exploration of the Italian culinary landscape during the fascist era that represents a departure from the romantic vision of Italian cuisine that many people believe has always existed. During the fascist period food was scarce. Most Italians weren't cooking up all of the delectable Italian classical recipes we have come to view as part of a longstanding Italian culinary history. Instead many Italians were barely able to get food on the table and were sometimes close to starvation. They often subsisted on a monophagic diet, in other words they ate the same food over and over, meal after meal, day after day. This was especially the case in southern Italy. Photos and links in today's show notes on Flavor of Italy website.