
(photo: the picture is taken from Pellegrina looking down on the seacost <Mediterranean Sea> town of Bagnara Calabra.)
As many of you know, my parents (and extended family) were all born in the southern Italian province of Calabria (specifically in a tiny hilltop village called Pellegrina). The region of Calabria is comprised of mountains, multiple seas, farms, small and large towns, and even a few urban centers. The history of Calabria is tumultuous and is part of why the Italian region has been so underrepresented in the Italian storybook (afterall, you don't hear tourists talking about their trip to Reggio or their recent wine and food tasting tour of the Calabrian country side <this is changing, however, and the secret may be getting out!>).

(photo: the village of Pellegrina and associated villages.)
If you're interested in reading more about Calabria you can quickly read a history of Calabria via Michelle from Bleeding Espresso. Michelle also has a great book resource page where she highlights books about the Calabrian region (make sure to sort the books by "southern Italy").
In terms of an accessible cookbook on the food of Calabria, I really like Mary Palmer's Cucina di Calabria. Not only is Palmer's book full of easy recipes, there's also some great content on the history of Calabria, the story of immigration, and the beverages and wine of the region.

Wow, Vince! Calabria is beautiful!!! Do you visit there much?
Thanks for the mention, Vince! I love Mary's cookbook too; the little stories with each recipe are so wonderful as well :)
Hi Paul, thanks, Calabria is a very pretty region. We try and visit every few years; I used to go back with my family more often when I was a child. We're hoping to plan a trip soon!
Vince
Hi Michelle,
My pleasure, i think your history section is well written and really concise! Mary's book is good and I think she covers the basic really well, the section on wine is nice as well!
Hope the Spring weather is starting to appear in Calabria.
Vin: interesting links. I had the great fortune to visit Calabria several years ago and it is a remarkable place, with much history and natural beauty.