It's a bit far-fetched as titles go, because though the Etruscans did have an alphabet, little has survived other than the occasional list. There's no Etruscan literature that we know of, and no written records either -- according to Greek and Roman commentators they were an oddly moody people on the one hand, much dependant on blood sacrifice and augury to determine the will of the Gods in most matters, and fun-loving and festive on the other, enjoying music, dancing and banquets, where the women joined the men as equals, a fact that much perturbed the straight-laced Greeks.
If Etruscan is out, then what does Mr. Righi Parenti talk about? Traditional Tuscan dishes, some of which the Etruscans may well have enjoyed -- they would have had access to all of the meats used today and most of the vegetables as well, with a few significant exceptions, primarily tomatoes and beans. Here are a few recipes from Arezzo, a pretty city in South Eastern Tuscany with a tremendously mediaeval feel (it was subjugated by Florence early on and subsequently languished) that boasts several of Piero della Francesca's most important frescoes, and has now become a major center for gold jewelry production.
- Pasta Con la Ricotta -- A quick, simple pasta dish made with fresh ricotta and (if you like it) spinach.
- Trota del Vescovo and Trota Paesana -- Two tasty recipes for fresh-caught trout, one that calls for meat as well, and the other that does not.
- Porchetta -- Roast pig, an ideal picnic food and also quite good as part of a festive, though not tremendously elegant, meal. Larger pigs, roasted the same way, are sliced to stuff sandwiches in fairs.
- Anatra in Porchetta -- A goose or duck is a remarkably viable alternative to porchetta.
- Pollo in Bianco -- a simple creamed chicken that will be tremendously satisfying as part of a light lunch.
- Scottiglia -- There are hundreds of variations on this stew, which is made from whatever woodsmen manage to catch.This one is both lemony and zesty.
More on the Etruscans
Larth the Etruscan
A fun, somewhat zany site dedicated to one of the most interesting peoples of Italy. Neat!
Sutri, a Visit to Several Ancient Cultures
Rome may have come to dominate, but central Lazio had a number of cultures, all of whom have left fascinating traces. Here's a nice day-trip from Rome.
Cucina Toscana
The cooking section of a beautiful Tuscan site.
