Italy in Small Bites

Award-winning author Carol Field offers the first cookbook to focus on the Italian tradition of merende, a between-meals meal that features such favorites as pizza and focaccia.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner may mark the beginning, middle, and end of the day, but for centuries Italians have eaten two small, informal meals that come in between. Italy in Small Bites is the first-ever collection of recipes for these bite-size treats, known as spuntini and merende, which are the soul food of Italy.

Spuntini, the midmorning snack, can be as simple as a sublime walnut-and-raisin-studded coffee cake, while merende, which are enjoyed mid-afternoon, might be a wedge of onion frittata or artichoke tart, a crunchy pillow of fried dough served with figs or prosciutto, a pure of fava beans, or sweet peppers mounded on a slice of rustic country bread. More than a snack, but less than a meal, these small bites get Italians through to the next meal.

Merende make perfect impromptu meals because they are stunningly simple and meant to make life easier. Some may be familiar-such as bruschetta with various toppings, frittate, vegetable tarts, polenta, or crostiniwhile others are revelations. Served individually or in combination, these dishes are healthy, inexpensive, casual, and are as suitable for entertaining as they are for easy weekday meals. Italy in Small Bites is a classic book, updated with a new jacket and introduction by the author.