The title points to something that many of the women told Bennison when asked for their favorite dish. “Signora Vicky, I eat everything!” they said. As Bennison explains in the book, we can all learn something from these women, who approach food and cooking in an intentional, no-waste way. In that spirit, the new book focuses on “how to celebrate the food you have,” with recipes for bread, pizza, pies, rice, meat dishes, desserts, and more.
Photo: Saghar Setareh, Courtesy of Rizzoli
Photo: Saghar Setareh, Courtesy of Rizzoli
Through meeting and sharing the stories of so many older women, Bennison has learned a lot about how to live the good life, or la dolce vita. “One of the striking things isn’t actually so much what they eat; it’s actually how they live their lives,” she says.
Her advice, based on the main pieces of wisdom she’s learned? Maintain your social life, have a passion that gets you up in the morning, and stay active. “Our ladies are always busy, on their feet, always on the go,” she says. “And that is how you live your life. That will keep you as a healthy old lady.”
Below, Bennison shares one of her favorite recipes from the book.
Rosa’s Cicatelli con Ciambutella
Serves 4 to 6
Photo: Saghar Setareh, Courtesy of Rizzoli
