On Heated With Bittman: The Mystery of the Italian Cookie

Greetings on this glorious solstice morning. In today’s newsletter, we have a few pieces lined up to complement the first day of summer, as well as what you might have missed from the week. Here we go:

What the Hell Is This Cookie?

An investigation

Eating Red Beans and Rice Is a Version of Self-Care

And not just for students

Before Marcella Hazan, There Was Sophia Loren

Earlier in the year “The Classic Italian Cookbook” debuted, Loren’s first cookbook was an international bestseller

Why Is Food In Europe Cheaper — and Better?

A tale of two Rust Belt cites

Most of What You Know About Protein Is Wrong

Take this quiz to find out more

Gardening Reveals What I Love (and Hate) About Myself

Yet I’ve been doing it for decades

Stop Being Squeamish About Bony Little Fishes

And find out what you’ve been missing

I’ve Never Become a Regular so Fast

Until I visited this Jersey Shore classic