Monday, October 10, 2011

Involtini di Maiale and A Giveaway



I'm becoming obsessed with this cookbook - Cucina Povera. I already posted a recipe for sfratti from it that will now become part of my permanent cookie repertoire. Having read all the first-hand stories in this book about Tuscan people who struggled to make ends meet and used every scrap of food available, whether grown in their gardens or foraged in the wild, I am working my way through the recipes, some of which I grew up eating in my parents' home. I have childhood memories of hunting for wild asparagus and wild greens, of my mother canning tomatoes for the winter, of my parents making soppressata and of course home-made wine.  Maybe that's why these recipes and stories are so resonant with me. Because food was - is - sacred and should not be wasted. Because you can make a delicious and nutritious meal out of the simplest ingredients.
If you haven't already purchased this cookbook (or if you have and want to gift one), here's your chance to own a copy. Leave a comment at the bottom of the blog (Not in email) and you'll be entered to win a copy, selected by a random number generator. That's it. You don't have to "like" me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter - everybody gets the same odds. But if you did, I'd be grateful. 
But so you don't have to wait to make this recipe, here's the step-by-step. Start with a one-pound pork tenderloin and divide it into eight pieces, then pound each piece flat between parchment paper until it's pretty thin.
Spread the ricotta and spinach mixture on top. I added a sage leaf, not called for in the cookbook recipe.
Wrap with a slice of pancetta and secure with a toothpick.
Saute for a few minutes with some wine.
Sit down to a great meal.
Involtini di Maiale


From the cookbook "Cucina Povera" by Pamela Sheldon Johns




  • 8 ounces spinach, steamed and finely chopped

  • 1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese

  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • freshly grated nutmeg

  • 1 pound boneless pork loin, sliced into 8 pieces

  • 8 thin slices pancetta

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  1. In a medium, bowl, combine the spinach and ricotta and stir to blend. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste. Set aside.

  2. Place a slice of pork between 2 pieces of parchment paper, and roll with a rolling pin until flattened to an even thickness, about 1/8 inch. Repeat to flatten the remaining slices.

  3. Spread a think layer of the spinach mixture on top of a slice of pork, leaving a 1/4 inch border. Roll it and wrap with a slice of pancetta, then fasten with a toothpick. Repeat with the remaining pork, filling and pancetta.

  4. In a large, heavy saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, and sear the rolls for about 2 minutes on each side. Add the wine and stir to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer briskly for 7 to 8 minutes, turning the rolls once or twice to heat them through. Serve at once.



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51 comments:

  1. Those involtini look amazing and ever so tasty! This is a book I want to buy, so I'd be extremely happy if I won it...


    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Linda, i love these Involtini...the pancetta being the "must for me". The possibilities are endless.

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  3. This looks so tasty, im adding it to my "to-do" list.

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  4. Hi Linda - I am friend of Ming Lee's and have been following your blog for the last year. Just returned from a trip to southern tuscany. Your recipes make me want to go right back there. I'll be buying the book if I don't win!
    Chris

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  5. Linda,
    I swear, I made stuffed chicken wrapped in speck with a spinach filling too! I will wait to post the recipe......great minds.......

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  6. These look amazing. Just last night I wanted pork for dinner and I wish I had this recipe then. I have another one of her books which I love.

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  7. Such a simple idea, just wonderful. I'd like to give this a try, and I know my husband would not complain :)

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  8. The dish looks amazing Linda and the cookbook filled with odeas to celebrate food.

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  9. bellissima ricetta Linda, voglio provare presto a farla, grazie! buona settimana....

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  10. You are right - food is sacred and this book looks fantastic. I love your blog.

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  11. I love how the cover of this book has white beans... just straight to the Tuscan heart!

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  12. what a great looking plate,ahhh for the love of all things pancetta,it is like a great big hug for whatever you wrap it around,completely delicious.Pheasant food really is the best food,and I would love to have this book for the awesome recipes and fantastic pictures,thanks for always sharing such great recipes and information.Ciao

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  13. Seeing this makes me want to make it tonight! Anything with ricotta and pancetta makes me happy! I have the book so take me out of your giveaway, this, and a few other recipes from the book are on my list to make very soon.

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  14. I must have some pancetta ... somewhere. I have everything else and I'm ready! Delicious, Linda! I love coming here. I always leave with a whetted appetite and a sweet outlook on life.

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  15. It is interesting how some of the best Italian cooking - especially in Tuscany, comes out of poverty and necessity. Some dishes that are now prized are actually a way of making stale leftovers edible. Beautiful pictures of these involtini.

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  16. the involtini look amazing. I would love a copy of this cookbook...fingers crossed :-)

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  17. This dish looks terrific! I'd love to have this cookbook - it's right up my alley :)

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  18. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes! This is on my shopping list already.
    Karla

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  19. I love Tuscan peasant food! Please enter me to win a copy!
    Linda Cacaci
    LinCaca3@aol.om

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  20. Linda your suggestions are always spot on! Can't wait to try. The cookbook sounds fantastic.

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  21. I love your blog...I feel like I'm in the kitchen with you...or wherever you are!

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  22. oh, this sounds so good...and i happen to love italian cookbooks!

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  23. The recipe looks delicious - the cookbook looks delicious - it would be nice if I could win it

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  24. Linda, I just found your webpage a couple of weeks ago. The pctures make my mouth water. My mother cooked just like all of your recipes. I miss that.

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  25. Love your webpage. fod looks just like my wothers dishes

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  26. The recipe and the book giveaway are amazing..The recipe looks like it will make a wonderful dinner and not too hard to do, just have to get the ingredients and get organized, yummmee!!!!!!! It is raining here, 300 days of rain and clouds, this recipe would make a person feel warm and fill the tummee greatly..Love your blog, the recipes look lovely, I am sure taste superb and not too hard to make I think..keep blogging with great recipes and all the antedotes too..brightens the 300 days of rain and more rain!

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  27. As soon as you told us about the book I printed the page and posted it on my fridge for all the family to see. No doubt what I want for Christmas!

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  28. Love traveling vicariously through your stories and photos, and your recipes have been a big hit. Thank you!

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  29. Hi Linda! This food reminds me of the delectable table that my mother in law sets in Caserta when we sit down to one of her traditional family meals. It takes me back to old Italy. We would also visit the chestnut orchard that my husbands father owned and have a picnic lunch there. Soooo beautiful! I love to cook and would like to try every recipe in this book. Makes my hubby miss home a bit less.... Wish me luck! Robin DeNicolais

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  30. I love anything stuffed. My grandparents were from Abruzzo and my grandmother (and my father) never ever wasted anything. I grew up in Indiana, but Pop had a huge garden and we ate lots of weeds and dandelion greens!

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  31. Beautiful dish! Looks like a great cookbook.

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  32. THis looks wonderful! And the book is right up my alley!

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  33. Your involtini look delicious! I love Italian cooking and would love to win a copy of this book. If I don't, at least I have this wonderful recipe - thank you!

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  34. I am again inspired...your cooking style...and mine, is so inviting, warm and friendly. Am so excited to share these recipes with my father and his sisters, who are first generation Abbruzzese, and my friends who I just want to share with. They will leave with my home full tummies and hearts. Thank you!

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  35. The same but oh so different! The diversity, with such simple ingredients, is mind-boggling. I am sooo glad I'm Italian!!!!!

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  36. The same but oh so different! The diversity, with such simple ingredients, is mind-boggling. I am sooo glad I'm Italian!!!!!

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  37. Thanks for introducing us to this book...and for the chance to win!

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  38. Linda,

    I haave been an avid follower for a year and love Italian cookbooks of all types !

    Jeanne

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  39. would love a copy...Been following your blog for about a year.

    Jeanne

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  40. I look at your blog every day because it inspires me to cook!! Your amazing.

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  41. Thanks for showing me this wonderful cookbook. I would love it!

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  42. Those look good enough to eat! Yummy!! I really like your addition to a sage leaf.

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  43. The food looks gorgeous, I can't imagine how amazing it must taste!

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  44. Are Europeans allowed in the draw? If so count me in!

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  45. I made this last night for dinner and it was delicious, Italian rouladen.

    Janet M

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  46. This looks like a delicious and easy meal to prepare. I definitely want to buy this cookbook and winning it would be a wonderful bonus!

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  47. Great photos; this looks wonderful. Sounds like a nice cookbook.

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  48. What a delicious recipe and this new cookbook looks amazing, I am hoping to be picked, you can never have enough Italian cookbooks!

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  49. Another recipe that I will have to try...this looks delicious. One thing I have learned is to visit this blog on a full stomach.I'm not sure if I am here in time for the cookbook, but it will be on my holiday list this year.

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