Italian Breads

When the world was ruled from Rome, Sicily was the granary of the Empire. ‘Bread and circuses’ kept the people happy, and the emperors made sure it was good wheaten bread, not the barley handed out to slaves and prisoners. Italy’s love affair with bread has never ceased, though it faltered in the face of industrialization and mass-produced, characterless loaves. Now, however, regional food is once more fashionable and breadmaking restored to its proper place.