A busy Italian kitchen, something delicious simmering on the stove, and the comforting smell of a home-cooked meal…
This Italian crossword is all about la cucina, with vocabulary for everyday kitchen utensils, appliances and preparing meals.
Read the Italian clues and fill in the grid with the correct words. Click or tap a square and type your answer, one letter per box. When a word is correct, its squares turn green and the clue is crossed out.
If you get stuck, you can check the English translations of the clues below without revealing the answers. You’ll also find the word solutions and the completed crossword grid further down the page.
Orizzontali (Across)
2. Ci cuoci la pizza
You cook pizza in it
4. Lava piatti e bicchieri
It washes plates and glasses
7. Le prepara chi cucina
The cook prepares them
9. Utile per mescolare il sugo
Useful for stirring the sauce
10. Può bruciare quando è acceso
It can burn when it is on
11. Istruzioni per preparare un piatto
Instructions for preparing a dish
Verticali (Down)
1. Attrezzo con tanti buchi
Tool with many holes
2. Tiene i cibi al fresco
It keeps food cool
3. Ci metti l’acqua per la pasta
You put water in it for pasta
5. Perfetta per friggere
Perfect for frying
6. Ha sportelli e ripiani
It has doors and shelves
8. Non possono mancare in tavola
They cannot be missing from the table
Orizzontali (Across)
2. forno → oven
4. lavastoviglie → dishwasher
7. vivande → dishes / food
9. mestolo → ladle
10. fornello → hob / burner
11. ricetta → recipe
Verticali (Down)
1. scolapasta → colander
2. frigorifero → fridge
3. pentola → pot
5. padella → pan
6. credenza → cupboard
8. posate → cutlery
One word, two meanings! 🔤
Like many languages, Italian has words that shift meaning entirely depending on context.
Take credenza, for example. In the kitchen, it's a cupboard or sideboard, but it can also mean a belief. And while ricetta might help you prepare a delicious meal, it's also the word used for a medical prescription.
So, if someone says Mi serve la ricetta (I need the recipe/prescription), you'll need a little context to know whether they're planning dinner or visiting the pharmacy!
And speaking of ricetta, perhaps it's time to put one to good use! If you fancy a little more Italian practice in the kitchen, try my Spaghetti alla Carbonara word scramble and see if you can unscramble the ingredients and other words connected to this much-loved Italian dish.