Tuscan cooking is unique among the 20 regions of Italy, known for its reliance on meat, offal, game and beans. In fact, Tuscans are affectionately referred to throughout Italy as mangiafagioli – bean eaters. But the culinary traditions of this region have their origins in cucina povera, peasant cooking, which means there are also lots of vegetables, tomatoes, herbs and bread, those inexpensive ingredients that are easy to grow and make at home in rural areas, and cheap to pick up at urban markets, too.
The other important ingredient is simplicity. You will often find that dishes consist of a single element plus the addition of pantry essentials such as salt, pepper, olive oil and herbs. Slow-cooked cannellini with sage or rosemary appears absolutely everywhere, in the trattorie and in…
