The sanctuary of colors
Every time I set foot on the ground of a market in Rome or in a small village in Tuscany, I am seized by the same emotion. It is a sanctuary of colors, smells and textures. What strikes me above all is not the baker's stall, but the incredible abundance of seasonal vegetables. Ruby red tomatoes, deep purple eggplants, soft green zucchini, vibrant peppers and sculptural artichokes... The Italian market is a celebration of life, vivid proof that the earth provides us with everything we need to be happy and healthy.
For me, these vegetables are not simple commodities; they are gifts of nature, charged with the energy of the sun and the richness of the soil. They are the true protagonists of our culinary history. By observing them, we understand that low-carb food is not a modern invention, but the natural state of our territory. The market shows us the path to simplicity and nutritional density. We just need to open our eyes and let ourselves be guided by this raw beauty.
The real hierarchy
In real Italian cuisine – the one that is practiced in the privacy of homes, far from tourist clichés – vegetables are never secondary. They are not a 'side dish' that we casually place next to meat. They are the foundation, the center of gravity of the plate. Protein, whether it's a little mature cheese, a fresh egg or a piece of fish, supports them, enhances them, but it never replaces them. It’s an inverted hierarchy that favors plant vitality.
Putting vegetables at the center means recognizing their satiating power and their aromatic richness. A plate of carefully prepared vegetables — a generous glug of olive oil, a dash of garlic, a pinch of sea salt — brings a satisfaction that no starch can match. We rediscover the sweetness of a roasted pepper, the elegant bitterness of an artichoke, the creaminess of a melting eggplant. It's a feast for the senses that deeply nourishes the body without ever weighing it down.
Fullness without the weight
It is often wrongly believed that only starchy foods can provide true satiety. But it's an illusion of volume. True satiety comes from nutrient density and the quality of associated fats. By combining vegetables with extra virgin olive oil, we create a synergy that calms hunger for hours. It is a 'clean' fullness, a feeling of satisfaction which leaves the mind free and the body light. We leave the table with the desire to move, to create, to live, and not with the desire to fall asleep.
This plant-based satiety is the key to stable energy. By avoiding the glycemic roller coaster caused by wheat, we offer our metabolism a calm cruising speed. Digestion becomes a fluid, almost imperceptible process. We rediscover what it means to feel good about yourself after a meal. It is a form of respect for our own biology, a recognition of our real needs. Plants are our most faithful ally for a vibrant life.
Authenticity rediscovered
By putting vegetables back at the heart of my cooking, I feel like I’m returning to the true roots of Italy. I am moving away from the commercialized and simplified version of our gastronomy to rediscover the wisdom of the ancients. Our ancestors knew that the land was their first pharmacy. They used herbs, roots and fruits with an innate science of balance. My cuisine today is a tribute to this memory, a way of keeping alive a tradition which has always favored the raw product over transformation.
At 42, I no longer seek to impress with complexity, but to touch with accuracy. Every vegetable I prepare is a declaration of love to my land and my culture. I want to show that you can be deeply Italian while being resolutely modern in your health choices. Plants are our foundation, our strength and our future. It is in him that the true soul of our table resides. The earth speaks to us, we just have to listen to it.
The strength of the garden
The Italian vegetable is much more than a category of food; it is the basis of our vitality and the guarantor of our pleasure.
I invite you to rediscover the power of seasonal vegetables. Make them the kings of your plates, treat them with the respect they deserve and let them transform your health. Forget the superfluous and focus on the essentials: freshness, taste and life. You will see that the deepest satiation is found in the simplicity of the garden. The table is ready, nature has done its work, it’s up to you to enjoy. ¡Buon appetito e salute!
