The Tuscan Child

by Rhys Bowen

“So simple. It is what we call part of our cucina povera—simple food for the peasants. And a good way to use up yesterday’s stale bread. It is simply stale bread soaked in broth, and then we cook the garlic, tomatoes, some carrot, and celery and add these to it, then serve with olive oil. That’s all.”

I spent two summers in Tuscany, leading a writer’s workshop and finding out all about local food. You will notice a lot of mentions of food in this book. I wanted the theme of both stories to be healing through food. Hugo is kept alive by Sofia bringing him food, and Joanna is healed of her traumas and loss by being fed by Paola. For the peasants, especially during hard times, the food is basically what they can grow. Tomatoes, onions, garlic and of course olive oil with everything. You can’t drive far without coming across an olive grove. The amazing thing is that these simple ingredients taste so good!