Darien Library, along with Barrett Bookstore, welcome back Anna Gass to discuss her new cookbook, Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day.  Anna will be in conversation with cookbook author Kat Ashmore.

— an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstorre

In her new cookbook, Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day, chef, author and culinary influencer Anna Francese Gass invites food lovers and home cooks on a delectable journey through the heart of Italy, exploring the rich tapestry of flavors that define Italian snacking culture.

Combining simplicity and creativity, at its best, Italian cuisine charms us through a combination of the highest-quality ingredients, simple recipes tied to the specialties of each region, and the experience of being at the table.

Anna introduces the American audience to the complete range of spuntini, with recipes drawn from across the country. She shares recipes for spuntini di meta mattina (mid-morning snacks often enjoyed with a second — or third coffee); merenda, the cherished after-school treat for children (that also offers adults a way to stave off hunger before dinner); and aperitivi, delightful early-evening bites meant to be enjoyed with drinks. Also included is a chapter of delicacies from Italy’s robust culture of street food (the one instance where Italians might eat on the go).

Studded with gorgeous photography of finished dishes and Italian food markets, cafes, bars, and pasticcerie around Italy, this book will elevate your snacking game to the Italian ideal.

Books will be available for purchase at the event.

If You’re Going …

This free event takes place from 3 and 4 p.m. in the Community Room of Darien Library.

You can register here. As of early this morning, there were plenty of seats available. Registration closes at 3 p.m., when the event begins.

About Anna Francese Gass

Contributed photo

Anna Gass’s book “will elevate your snacking game to the Italian ideal.”

Born in Italy and raised in the U.S., the cuisine of Italy is part of Anna Francese Gass’s soul. She graduated from the French Culinary Institute and began her career in the test kitchen at Food52.

Her first cookbook, Heirloom Kitchen: Heritage Recipes and Family Stories from The Tables of Immigrant Women, was a collection of cherished family recipes from around the world published in 2021 and was featured on Today and Rachael Ray.

Anna is known for her ingenious takes on traditional Italian dishes, and millions around the world have viewed her Instagram videos at @annafgass.

She appears regularly on Good Morning America and Access Hollywood, and her recipes are top-rated on New York Times Cooking.

About Kat Ashmore

Kat Ashmore is the chef, recipe developer, and digital creator behind Kat Can Cook. She graduated from the award-winning Institute of Culinary Education in New York and went on to work for Martha Stewart, developing retail recipes and producing cooking segments on the eight-time Emmy Award-winning The Martha Stewart Show.