Cooking & Entertaining

At the Table of La Fortezza: The Enchantment of Tuscan Cooking from the Lunigiana Region

Annette Joseph shares recipes from the charming Lunigiana region of Tuscany that were developed at her medieval fortress, La Fortezza. This is the first book on the cuisine of this important slow-food area.

Lunigiana is a rugged, mountainous region of Tuscany, flanked by the Liguria coastline and Emilia-Romagna, whose cuisine has been shaped by its distinctive landscape and location. Author and stylist Annette Joseph purchased and renovated a stunning medieval fortress, aptly named La Fortezza (“The Fortress”), in this little-known area. Enamored by Lunigiana’s rich food heritage and traditions, Joseph sought out authentic and traditional dishes from the best chefs, home cooks, and slow-food purveyors in the region. This book showcases these rustic recipes, some of which have been enjoyed for centuries.
 
Lunigiana’s cuisine brings together the flavors of both the coast and the mountains and draws inspiration from the neighboring regions. It is home to unique ingredients, such as chestnut flour, and its specialties are often still prepared the ancient way. Lunigiana is also recognized by UNESCO as a sustainable region, and Joseph’s recipes highlight slow-food practices, such as sourcing seasonal ingredients from local producers.
 
Breathtaking photographs by David Loftus highlight the beauty of Lunigiana’s cuisine and countryside, as well as La Fortezza’s dreamy vineyard, orchards, and kitchen garden. This book is an incredible culinary and visual journey into an undiscovered region in Italy and a must-have for anyone who loves Italian food and culture.
 

About The Author

Annette Joseph is an author and expert on entertaining, cooking, and styling and design. Her recipes and party ideas have been featured in Southern Living, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle Decor. David Loftus is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed food and lifestyle photographer.
 

  • Publish Date: September 13, 2022
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Cooking - Regional & Cultural - Italian
  • Publisher: Rizzoli
  • Trim Size: 8 x 10
  • Pages: 208
  • US Price: $39.95
  • CDN Price: $53.95
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-6948-0

Reviews

2022 INDIES Finalist, Cooking

"At the Table of La Fortezza
—what a joy! Here we are between Liguria and Emilia-Romagna but solidly in an enchanted corner of Tuscany. Exuberant photos and heartfelt recipes transport us to Annette Joseph’s Italy. Can we all, please, come to visit—and eat!" —Frances Mayes, author of Under the Tuscan Sun
 
"At the Table of La Fortezza recalls that first trip to Tuscany, sitting at a long farmhouse table, where lunch turned to dinner and meals were about conversations and time spent together. A true nod to the joy of sharing fresh, local food, thoughtfully prepared, with the ones that you love." —Stacy Borocz, founder of etúHOME 

"…transports readers to the kitchen in her medieval fortress, La Fortezza, and features delicious Italian recipes...that are inspiring, easy and flavorful." —NATIONAL EXAMINER

"Welcome to La Fortezza, the medieval fortress (previously featured in ELLE DECOR) in Lunigiana, Italy, where author and stylist Annette Joseph has been exploring authentic and traditional recipes enriched by Tuscany’s unequaled orchards, gardens, and vineyards." —ELLE DECOR

"...a mouthwatering trip to the far northwestern region of Tuscany known for its wild beauty." —SAXONHENRY.COM

"...features a beautiful collection of recipes and stories inspired by the cuisine and flavors of Lunigiana." —TARA'S MULTICULTURAL TABLE

Author Bookshelf: Annette Joseph

Author Bookshelf: David Loftus