Cucina povera literally translates to "poor kitchen" or "kitchen of the poor," and it refers to the traditional cooking style in Italy that focuses on simple, inexpensive, and hearty meals made from local, humble ingredients. The beauty of cucina povera is that it’s not about deprivation; it's about maximizing flavor and satisfaction with what you have. These meals are often comforting and have a depth of flavor that comes from long cooking times, humble ingredients, and a little bit of creativity.
You will find dishes based around beans, pasta, vegetables, cheap cuts of meat (or none at all), and grains. The flavor isn’t reliant on expensive ingredients but rather on slow cooking, simple techniques like braising, roasting, and simmering, and the use of good olive oil, garlic, and herbs to enhance everything.
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