Drawing on what the author herself cooks at home, Gusto Italiano offers a wide range of delicious meatless meals for both the vegetarian and the carnivore who wants a break from routine. The book is organized by food type: pasta, rice, beans, vegetables, salads, breads, and fruits and nuts. Each section features an informative introduction touching on everything from Italian culinary history to personal anecdotes to practical tips and tricks. Stressing the freshest ingredients, each of the 125 recipes is preceded by the author"s comments about ingredients and advice on how to simplify and improve the cooking process. 130 stunning location photos complete the book.