Gennaro’s Verdure: A Celebration of Vegetables in True Italian Style

In Gennaro’s Verdure, celebrated Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo elevates humble vegetables to the starring role on the plate. Known for his passion for authentic Italian cuisine, Gennaro combines vibrant, punchy flavours with simple yet versatile ingredients to transform vegetables from a supporting act into the main event. The result is a collection of recipes that celebrate the beauty and goodness of plants, delivered with his signature flair.

Praised by culinary icons such as Jamie Oliver, who hails Gennaro as “the don of Italian cooking,” and Ainsley Harriott, who admires how he places vegetables at the centre of the table, Gennaro’s approach is both innovative and inclusive. The book is structured into colour-themed chapters, each dedicated to showcasing the versatility of vegetables grouped by hue. This unique format not only highlights the variety of flavours and textures but also dispels the myth that vegetables are bland or one-dimensional.

While not all recipes are strictly plant-based, Gennaro ensures that every dish celebrates the essence of vegetables. His recipes cater to a wide audience, from vegetarians and vegans to meat-eaters eager to incorporate more plants into their meals. Each dish reflects Gennaro’s Italian roots, balancing tradition with creativity.

The Green Vegetables chapter celebrates the crispness of asparagus, spinach, and broccoli. Highlights include Asparagus Carbonara and a surprising Spinach ‘plumcake,’ which marries savoury and sweet elements. In Red Vegetables, the focus shifts to bold flavours with dishes like Chard Calzone and a refreshing Tomato Sorbet. Sunshine Vegetables radiates warmth with recipes such as Pumpkin Gnocchi and Carrot Soufflé, while the Purple Vegetables chapter explores the richness of aubergines, radicchio, and beetroots, featuring delights like Beetroot Carpaccio and Radicchio Terrine.

Gennaro’s Verdure is a vibrant celebration of vegetables, infused with the heart and soul of Italian cuisine. Whether you are a lifelong vegetarian or a curious omnivore, this book will inspire you to make vegetables the hero of your meals.

Product details

Publisher: Pavilion Books (2024)

Language: English

Hardcover: 224 pages

ISBN-10: 0008603731

ISBN-13: 978-0008603731

Dimensions:19.5 x 2.6 x 25.2 cm