A richly illustrated Penguin edition of Elizabeth David’s Italian Food, capturing the flavours and spirit of postwar Italy. Beloved by cooks and collectors alike, this classic 1960’s handbook brings rustic authenticity and artistic flair to your kitchen shelf.

This vintage 1960’s Penguin Handbook edition of Italian Food by Elizabeth David is both a practical culinary guide and a beautifully illustrated object. With cover and internal illustrations by Italian painter Renato Guttuso, it pairs regional recipes with expressive black-and-white sketches that feel almost theatrical in mood.

Elizabeth David’s writing transports the reader beyond recipes into a rich world of seasonal eating, traditional ingredients, and timeless flavour. She writes not only about food but also about the rhythms of rural Italy, family customs, and the joy of a well-cooked meal.

From melon and salami hors d’œuvres to artichoke-strewn pages and spaghetti rituals, this book is a sensory journey with depth and heart.

This particular copy is in good vintage condition with some softening of the spine and light age toning to the pages, adding to its charm.

18 x 11 cm (standard Penguin paperback size)
Printed in England by Penguin Books
Cover artwork: Renato Guttuso
Condition: Vintage wear, no missing pages, clean throughout

Perfect for:

• Vintage cookbook collectors

• Lovers of Italian culture and slow food

• Styling on a rustic kitchen shelf or gifting to a food lover