Biography of Pellegrino Artusi

The Italy color in the kitchen

4 August 1820 30 March 1911 Forlimpopoli, in the province of Forlì-Cesena is the birthplace of Pellegrino Artusi, author of a true "Gospel" of Italian cuisine: "La scienza in cucina e L'arte di mangiare bene". Born on 4 August 1820, Pellegrino Artusi completes the Seminary of Bertinoro, then devoted himself to business, which is to grocer. During his youth experiences a serious incident that affects the family Artusi: following the shock for the home invasion of the Bandit called "Smuggler" stealing all valuables and money in attendance, and violent the sister of Pilgrim, Gertrude, this goes mad and is locked in a Madhouse. The family also hit economically by the episode, decided to move to Florence. Financial Ombudsman operates Pilgrim here, reaching excellent results. He continues to live in Tuscany until his death, while maintaining relations with the homeland. Having the good fortune to lead a fairly comfortable life can devote themselves freely to his two passions: cooking and literature. From 1865 onwards the author leaves the business and starts to write, publishing two successful books, both at his own expense. In 1891 he published "La scienza in cucina e L'arte di mangiar bene": the first edition reaches about one thousand copies. Subsequently, the book comes out in multiple editions, reaching thirty-two in 1932. The manual of the kitchen "Artusi" becomes a bestseller of the times; is the book for cooking that every home must not fail. Inside there are 790 different recipes ranging from appetizers to desserts, passing through soups, spirits, brodi, main courses. Each recipe is described by the author with direct and witty style, and is accompanied by amusing anecdotes and reflections. The "newness" of the work of Artusi's national gastronomic approach, which includes a whole the various regional culinary traditions. The same Artusi is delighted to tell in the book an episode in which she stars. Arrived in Livorno, enters a restaurant to have dinner. Having eaten a minestrone, goes to the lodging of such a Domenici. Overnight Artusi unable to sleep because of the extreme pain in the stomach, which attaches right to the soup consumed a few hours earlier in a restaurant. But the next day he learns that Domenici has fallen victim of cholera that has spread throughout the city. So he understands that his stomach pain originates from infectious disease, not from minestrone, which decides to set up its own original recipe. In Forlimpopoli, where Artusi is born, there is a cultural center "Casa Artusi". Every year at this place is organized the "Festa Artusiana": nine days entirely dedicated to the culture of food and gastronomy. There are many initiatives and events that have been created in honor of the famous author. Among all, "Pellegrino Artusi. The unification of Italy in the kitchen ", a film that highlights how the" credo "Artusi is still very current. The movie was written by Laila groping and Antonio Tolo, directed by Mauro Batoli, starring Dario Daniels. Besides the famous Cookbook, Artusi also wrote two literary criticism very well managed. Pellegrino Artusi died in Florence on March 30, 1911 at the age of 90 years. After leading a celibate life (living with a servant from his hometown and a Cook Tuscany), his body rests in the cemetery of San Minato al Monte.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.