Cucina dell'Emilia-Romagna: Recipes from the gastronomic heartland of Italy and its capital Bologna (Ursula Ferrigno)

Emilia-Romagna, one of the largest Italian regions, lies between the Adriatic Sea to the east, the River Po to the north and the Apennine chain of mountains to the south. Between the Po and the mountains, with its flood-plain-enhanced soil, is what is known as the "food valley," where a unique microclimate means that an abundance of foods can be produced.

These include soft wheat for the famous pasta types of the region; acorns and chestnuts to feed the pigs which produce the countless salumi (prosciutto di Parma, culatello, mortadella etc); grape vines which are used not just in the many wines of the area, but in the world-renowned balsamic vinegar of Modena; and cows which produce the milk for the region’s cheeses, particularly parmigiano reggiano, Parmesan.

There are countless individual local food products which have IGP and DOP (protected) status, more than anywhere else in Italy. Even among Italians, who are very loyally regional in their culinary tastes, the food and cooking of Emilia-Romagna are considered to be the best in Italy.