Peas with Pancetta Plus Divina Cucina’s Secrets from a Tuscan Kitchen Cookbook
My friend Judy Witts Francini kindly sent me a copy of her handcrafted cookbook, Secrets from My Tuscan Kitchen, and has even more kindly offered to give a lucky Bleeding Espresso reader a chance to win a copy as well.
To enter the random drawing, all you need to do is comment on this post by 11:59 pm (CET) on Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
Trust me, you’re going to love this cookbook. Not only is it absolutely full of tasty recipes from appetizers to desserts, Judy’s cookbook is also aesthetically pleasing and a cook’s best friend with each page facing the recipes blank so you can add your own notes.
If you don’t know, Italian cooking is very regional, i.e., what you’ll find in Calabria, you probably won’t find in Piemonte, and vice versa. So for those of you who want to get a great taste of what eating in Tuscany is like, you must see Judy’s cookbook, which is based on her own experiences of living in the region for nearly 30 years, particularly as influenced by her Tuscan mother-in-law.
You can read more about Judy’s cookbook and how you can order your own at Judy’s website, Divina Cucina. You can also keep up with Judy at her blog Over a Tuscan Stove and on Twitter @divinacucina.
Of course I wanted to share a recipe with you as I shared Judy’s book this What’s Cooking Wednesday, so I chose something I knew that would be a big hit here. Judy has two recipes for peas in the book, one with pancetta (Piselli alla Fiorentina) and the other with cooked ham (Piselli al Prosciutto); I actually ended up combining the two recipes to adjust for what I had handy (ran out of garlic!), but what I made was closer to Piselli alla Fiorentina, so here you go.
Ah, also, I did leave out the sugar, as P freaks out when he tastes sugar. The peas were definitely sweet enough, and this dish was delicious…and talk about easy peasy! Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Piselli alla Fiorentina
- 1 lb peas
- 2 oz pancetta, cubed
- 1 clove garlic, sliced
- 2 tbs chopped parsley
- 1 tbs sugar
- Salt
- 8 tbs olive oil
1. Place peas, garlic, parsley and olive oil in a saucepan. Add salt to taste.
2. Add enough water to cover peas.
3. Cook over low heat, covered.
4. Just before the peas are done, add the pancetta and sugar. Serve with their sauce.
Buon appetito!
Remember to comment for your chance to a win a copy of Judy’s cookbook!
98 Beans of Wisdom to “Peas with Pancetta Plus Divina Cucina’s Secrets from a Tuscan Kitchen Cookbook”
Recipes
The only thing I love more than a cookbook is free Italian one!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..New Theme: Dark Wood =-.
Oh this looks so easy and delicious. I can’t wait to buy some fresh peas! And thanks for an easy to enter contest. I am getting tired of the ones that require 20 comments from me telling that I follow them, etc…
Haha, I think the instructions can be more overwhelming than anything…it often gives you more chances to win, but it just *sounds* so confusing! I hear you 🙂
.-= Michelle @ Italian Mama Chef´s last blog ..Soups and stews and pasta, oh my! =-.
Sounds like a wonderful cookbook! I am learning to cook so I need all the help I can get!
(And that photo made me hungry! It’s getting close to lunch time now!)
Mmmm….that sounds delicious!
Yum! That brings back memories of my aunt making huge bowls of piselli con pancetta!
.-= Nicola Orichuia´s last blog ..With a Little Help from Al Gore =-.
I love peas with pancetta! I’ve always used onion, but I think I may try them with garlic.
Sometimes I use speck instead of pancetta, that’s good too!
I don’t ever buy speck here; I don’t know why. I mean I like it well enough. Hmm. Sounds great with peas 🙂
.-= KC´s last blog ..The Shock of the New =-.
Me, Me Choose me – I love peas and pancetta
Excellent. One of my favorite recipes…though I’m more conversant in Roman/rest of South/Sicilian recipes. This would be a great addition to my kitchen. (Terrific photos, btw.) Just off in a moment to my neighborhood Italian store for pancetta, as I am out. This will be perfect for the spring weather we’re currently (thank God!) experiencing. ciao-meow
Thank you, and enjoy!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Through the Keyhole =-.
Looks really tasty. I love peas, I would probably have to leave the sugar out of the recipe too, as I don’t think my Mr would be too keen.
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..Friends and family =-.
Thanks Michelle – and Judy! I am ready for lunch now!!
mmm, peas.
yay! I’ve been interested in this book for sure! Always loved reading about her adventures in Florence while we were there – such good food tips 🙂
This looks great! I love new cooking ideas
I love peas. I will have to try them this way.
looks lovely, count me in!! yuuuuuummmmmm
.-= sperlygirl´s last blog ..gentle cycle…please… =-.
Fresh peas say Spring to me, and that sounds good to me! We’re in full-blown Mud Season in Maine…the dirt roads are like quicksand. Bring on the peas!
What is to say? I love this recipe, I love it…..my problem is that most of the recipes in life are for 2 or more…..
My wife is a veggie lady and I am the only one who eats white flour, red meat, cheese, etc.
These recipes are hard for me to make but then to end up with so much left over….well sighhhhhhhhhhhh
Ok Michelle send me the cookbook I will try all the recipes and report back.
A red headed goat? zoweeeeeeeeeeee
Love and Light,
richard
This one is actually really easy to make just for one…on the other hand, leftovers are great too. If I happen to make extra (usually P gobbles up any and all peas in sight), they’re great for a little mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack when feeling peckish…I love them cold too 🙂
I have already made the potato gnocchi, it was great.. I got the recipe from Lucy’s Kitchen Notebook.. she loves the book.. I would love to win one..
“In the childhood memories of every good cook, there’s a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.”
I think I am going to love this cookbook!
I am only 2 generations separated from our family in Sicily and love all Italian styles. I’d really enjoy having this cookbook.
.-= Scott K´s last blog ..Yoplus Review and "Better For You" Giveaway =-.
Pick me! I’m going to finally meet Ms. Divina Judy when she’s in the SF Bay Area next month, and I would love to have it for her to sign.
.-= food lover kathy´s last blog ..Wine Tasting in Tuscany Along the Chianti Trail =-.
Love being ale to feed my family great homemade food!
What a beautiful spring dish!
I would love to win this cookbook! Brings back wonderful memories of when I studied in Tuscany in college. Thanks for the opportunity and have a great day!
I collect cook books and this would be a great addition
Yum, must try that recipe soon. Crossing my fingers and hoping to win the cookbook which sounds fabulous. Happy Spring!
.-= Lucia´s last blog ..Body Art =-.
I love all things Italian!! Especially the food….I would love to win this cookbook!
.-= Denise @ Creative Kitchen´s last blog ..Getting back into the swing of things and Spring!! =-.
This should also work well with Fava beans. Looking forward to my crop this summer!
OK, I admit I am REALLY jonesing for the cookbook, but I just love the recipe as well! I think that the ability to sort of wing it, to use what’s on hand as part of the cooking philosophy that I love SO VERY MUCH about Italian food & food-centered traditions. I am one of those many souls in the world who feels I *MUST* have been an Italiana at some point, in some former life; I just have no other explanation for the undying lifelong love I have for almost all things from that beautiful country where you live. I’m lucky I get to live a little vicariously through you, and thanks to you, Calabria is now on the list of places I have to get to before I bite the dust!
I love Wednesdays. Yum. Not only is there always good foodiness to be had, but it means tomorrow is Love Thursday! <3 <3
xx's & oo's to all, especially the kids!
K
Hahaha, thanks KE 🙂 Love Thursdays are rather lovely!
Oooh, I’ve been wanting this cookbook for months!
Love peas! Can’t wait to try the recipe! Grazie!
Both my mother and grandmother use to make peas with pasta. I don’t remember them adding pancetta though. It sounds wonderful! I’ll try it when I get all the ingredients.
I was just going to make some green chili stew. Tomorrow, it will be Piselli alla Fiorentina on my menu! Thanks for the recipe!
This looks great. Can’t have too many beautiful cookbooks laying around now can we ??!! Would LOVE a free one 🙂 Dreaming of Italy….
By just looking at the photo, I was about to make a quick two beans crying out to the world you had totally forgotten the wonderful Tuscan “extravergine” olive oil, but I reread your ingredients and, there they are, 8 savoury tbs. of oil which, added to the molten lard of the pancetta, *should* give some more fatty glisten to your photo. What happened? Did you perhaps drain off the condiment for the sake of a less soggy image?
Anyway, thanks for great ideas from Calabria… and from Tuscany!
Well the pancetta isn’t rendered in the recipe, so there goes that fat, and I may have used less oil, I don’t know–I don’t tend to measure. That said, as the peas are also covered in water to cook, the oil does get quite diluted. I didn’t make any special effort to make them not soggy for the photo, but maybe I just like mine on the firm side so that they never got mushy and oily? Boh.
.-= Carlo´s last blog ..Incontri del Cammino =-.
I love peas but am not fond of pancetta or prosciutto (a sin in Florence). It’s a nice picture though.
Ciao… I could always use new ideas! Now that I’m here, I find it still takes a bit of effort to be creative in the kitchen.
I love this cook book. I am an affectioanted of cook books!!!!!
I need all the help I can get in the cooking department and am always in search of something new, creative and fun. I’ll make anything once and love to be inspired!
Buon appetito and here’s looking at you – kid! (get it…just a little goat humor?) ok, ok…I’m moseying on back over to FB now!)
.-= Melissa Muldoon´s last blog ..• la torre, la scala e la luna =-.
After Tweeting with Judy for some time, I am definitely curious to read her book and to remember the years when I used to live in Florence….
.-= Alessio´s last blog ..A taste savior =-.
Given I love cookbooks count me in. I like the idea that the cover is illustrated. My parents are from the island of Malta and while the language is not at all similar to Italian the words for peas is the same-interesting. I actually made quinoa with peas the other night.
.-= Esme´s last blog ..Buckley’s Story by Ingrid King Review =-.
Oh, pick me, PICK ME! I would love and adore just about any free Tuscan cookbook, but this one looks especially pleasing. 😀
Tomorrow – peas and pancetta!!!
Oooh I would love to have this cookbook! I’m already planning out the garden & peas are going to play a big part as they are major fave around here! Looks yummy!
This is so funny – I had a Tuscan recipe for WCW today, too! It was a salad that we tasted in Florence. Your friend’s cookbook sounds absolutely wonderful.
The Piselli recipe looks marvelous!
.-= jen of a2eatwrite´s last blog ..What’s Cooking Wednesday: Accademia Salad =-.
My mother makes peas this way all the time! – I have to make some but I will add pasta – and the cookbook is a must have!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Monica’s Fine Foods Featuring Calabrian Olive Oil (and a giveaway!) =-.
I just did a post on fresh English Peas today! They are so delicious prepared simply.. I would love this cookbook. My hubby is a good Italian boy, so I know he would appreciate it!
.-= bunkycooks´s last blog ..Remembering Spain with a Pan of Paella! =-.
Can’t wait to try the recipe. I love peas and I love pancetta. I’ll be in Italy (Venice and Pienza area) in May. Maybe there will be fresh peas in the organic garden! I collect and read cookbooks (my friends think I’m nuts) and would love to win this one to add to my collection.
That book is beautiful! Pancetta is one of my favorite things in the world lol! I would put it in anything and it would be wonderful!
As ever, you do it the best way!
I have been following your posts since quite recently, I must admit, but they are quite interesting, and candid.
They make me feel as if I am not reading a post, but am chatting with a friend about anything and everything.
The most beautiful thing is the blog name “bledingexpresso” Very thoughtful and creative!
Good work, and all the best!
-Poo.
Thank you! That’s so sweet 🙂
The peas look delicious! I will definitely riff on this dish the moment fresh peas become available. Thanks for the inspiration!
.-= Teri´s last blog ..A Dog Hair of a Quote… =-.
oh yummmy.. Now I am excited…
.-= Tanisha´s last blog ..Eat Pray Love–the movie =-.
I haven’t actually been on this site in a long time. (I read you in my google reader) But this was worth the trip over. 🙂 If I win, I will send you something from Seattle (maybe a local cookbook from here).
That’s very sweet, Trina, but you don’t have to send anything…thanks for coming over!
Love la cucina Toscana! The book looks great. Cristina
Ran out of garlic in an Italian kitchen? So what kind of onion did you use, it looks like the little tiny white ones, i9s that it in the pic?
Well, truth be told, the garlic was moldy, and I decided not to go for it 😉 We almost exclusively use red onions, as was used there–they’re often pretty white on the inside.
Beautiful looking book! would love to win it! Jenny Woolf
.-= Jenny Woolf´s last blog ..Searching for Harrods Wonderland =-.
Always wanted Judy’s book, only heared great things about it!!
I have some peas and some pancetta. Now I know what to do. Grazie!
.-= nyc/caribbean ragazza´s last blog ..I love André Leon Talley =-.
Ever since I first visited Tuscany over fifteen years ago, I’ve had a love affair with Tuscan food – I love its guts and its heart and passion! For me, with it’s regional abundance it epitomises soul of the land and the sea and the people. Davina’s book looks like a true testament to all that is Tuscan cooking, if I don’t win a copy, I’ll have to buy it!
.-= Absolute Vanilla´s last blog ..World Book Day – a tribute to writer pals and the pre-published author revealed… =-.
Yikes, where did I get Davina??!!! I meant Divina Judy! Sorry! Brain must be frying in olive oil this morning!
Haha, too funny 🙂
.-= Absolute Vanilla´s last blog ..World Book Day – a tribute to writer pals and the pre-published author revealed… =-.
Have fresh peas in our garden. Love to eat them raw but my son loves them with pancetta like Mum used to make them. Count me in for the contest!
.-= Scintilla´s last blog ..Little to do, but what a nice place to do it in. =-.
Being an Italian trapped inside an Irish girl’s body this book is right up my alley. I would be thrilled to win this beautiful book but will certainly look into purchasing it if I don’t.
just in case I don’t win, I’m planning to buy Judy’s cookbook while I’m in Florence this summer.
Looks like a stunning cookbook!
.-= Alison´s last blog ..10 Things to do in Sweden =-.
Sounds like an insteresting cook book. I just love cookbooks. I will try the pea recipe this weekend.
I love peas…growing up my mother would make peas and onions sauted in olive oil. I never had it with pancetta but I will try this. Sounds delish.
yes please !!! I almost know nothing about Tuscan cooking, just learning and well I love the fact that I could write in it !!!! And I love peas !!!!!
I absolutely love cookbooks! I can’t get enough!
Awesome giveaway – thank you Judy and Michelle! This cookbook is on my “birthday wish list” : ) and would be a great complement to my current read…”Every Day in Tuscany” – Frances Mayes’ new book. Happy Spring!
I just won a bottle of fine olive oil from Scordo.com, so I’m going to try to ride my winning streak. Love the peas, my gram used to toss them with different varieties of pasta. I’ll try it with the pancetta, that sounds great as well!
.-= Joe DeGiorgio´s last blog ..Negativity Sells. Why Do We Buy? =-.
I’ve been wanting this book for months….thanks for this opportunity to win it!! Otherwise, I hope it will be available for purchase in the US.
hope I win!!
This book sounds amazing!!! It’s a must have!
Being married to an Italian, I “try” to cook like one. Unfortunately, being a Southern girl makes it tough.
Peas with pancetta….and a great tuscan cookbook…….ma cosa vuoi di piu’ dalla vita?
Such a beautiful and simple recipe…one of the best!
A very simple dish, will wait until Peas are available in the UK..
Wow such a great giveaway .. Please count me in. Never been to Tuscany but willing to try any Italian recipes 🙂
.-= anne´s last blog ..A wonderful surprise postcard………………. =-.
Wow! This is a great recipe. It looks so delicious and at the same time, it is very easy to make. Thank you for sharing this recipe to us. I have been a long time reader of your blog and I appreciate all the information you share with us. I love reading you blogs before going to sleep while sipping on my hot coffee. Kudos!
.-= Michael Cavinta´s last blog ..Krups Coffee Grinder Is The Best For A Fine Grind =-.
Yikes, I have to figure out how to delete the posts above to increase my chances of winning!
Cooking with pancetta, much like chorico, bacon and proscuitto is going to improve virtually any dish it is in.
.-= running42k´s last blog ..What did I eat? =-.
peas and pancetta how can you go wrong.
.-= The Food Hunter´s last blog ..Redleaf Water & A Giveaway =-.
What a great giveaway! I’d love to learn some more Italian dishes.
.-= Fuji Mama´s last blog ..Kinkan Kanro-ni (Japanese Candied Kumquats) with Panna Cotta =-.
I’m not Italian by blood but I am Italian by heart. The cookbook looks wonderful and so does the dish you made. Thanks for sharing!
I just discovered your blog while researching Italian cooking. I’m trying to teach myself about Italian cuisine. This book would be a perfect introduction.
My neighbor has peas that are starting to sprout. The recipe sounds great.
I want it! And my husband will appreciate it too! Lots of love to you!
This cookbook looks wonderful…I would love to have it! My family is from Sicily and Campania, and I have tons of family recipes, but I love to learn about food from other regions of Italy and try out the different dishes.
Nothing says SPRING like fresh peas. Here in the states it’s time to plant! If I don’t win the cookbook, maybe I’ll receive it as Mother’s Day gift. (hint hint to my son who loves your blog!)
Hi Michelle and Judy. The cookbook sounds wonderful and I want to win it. I love peas!!
So, one thing I discovered that is not at all clear from the recipe, is how many FRESH peas (in the pods) does one need to buy (at the vegetable stand) in order to get a full portion (shelled)? I asked for a “kilo”, we’ll see how many are happy with their portion. It did stimulate me to buy the peas, so that this way my kids (little girls, not goats) can help with the preparation and have fun since their Easter vacation has started. That reminds me, I need to look for white eggs for coloring, too… usually tough to find around here.
Good question. I don’t know the answer as I used frozen, and I would imagine it also somewhat depends on the size of the pods (I’ve seen big and small pea pods around here; not sure how much they weigh in relation to the peas inside). In any event, I recommend going crazy on fresh peas when you find ’em, let the girls go at ’em until it looks like you have plenty to cook, and freeze whatever looks like too much to prepare (or save them for another day, but within a week, I’d say, in any event). Win win win! Good luck on those eggs….
Looks fantastic. Mmmm too bad I’m the only pea lover here. The others don’t know what they are missing.
.-= Shan´s last blog ..friday high five – chocolate =-.
Love Tuscan food…just bought some fresh peas…am going to whip this up for dinner tonight!
I love Italian food and I have been looking for a good cookbook so I can make more dishes at home…right now my main repertoire consists of some basic pasta dishes like lasagna, etc.
Thanks!
I love how many of the best recipes just combine great ingredients & are easy to put together! The picture looks delicious!
Yum…I actually made something like that recently!
Oh, this is so similar to how my Nonna would make peas (and I still do!). I love cookbooks and would love to have this one
xoxo Pattie and Allie
.-= Pattie and Allie´s last blog ..Spring Break! Getting ready for Easter and having some fun! =-.
I remember all the meals and special dishes my grandmother made for us. I try to make them the way she used to but because she never wrote any of the recipes down I always feel like there is “something” missing. I check cookbooks and websites and gather recipes that are similar to hers and then try to recreate the magic that came out of her kitchen. She used simple ingredients with basic methods and without many of our modern day tools but her meals and food were always delicious. This recipe looks like something she would make and since peas will be available in the framers market soon I will definitely try it.
I have a similar recipe that i like – without the pancetta – I use onions instead.
Count me in for the book
That’s actually the normal way we make them, Don 🙂
My husband is always talking about his father making peas and eggs when he was a child. Will try this one on him for a change of taste!
Ooh that sounds good!
Would absolutely love a chance to win the cookbook! Just started getting into cooking this year and my almost 90 year old 100% italian grandma would love for me to learn some more italian cooking 🙂 Plus, we just booked our 1st trip to Italy for June so it would be perfect practice for me!! Love the pea recipe… keep those recipes coming! especially easy ones!