100 Vegetables and Where They Came From - Hardcover

Weaver, William Woys

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1565122380 ISBN 13: 9781565122383

Publisher: Algonquin Books, 2000

Synopsis

A perfect leek from France. Flavorful zucchini from Italy. An infamous potato from Ireland, and a humble lentil from Ethiopia. 100 Vegetables offers a veritable cornucopia of vegetables and stories from around the world--from Argentina to Zimbabwe, from Australia to the United States. William Woys Weaver--veggie connoisseur, gardener, and historian--guides us through a range of peppers, potatoes, peas, gourds, onions, tomatoes, greens, and a whole lot more.

Not every carrot is the same. All beans aren't equal. Take the Petaluma Gold Rush bean, a rugged legume, grown for over 150 years and brought to California by an American whaler from Peru. Or the violet carrot, which the Greeks brought back from India following the conquests of Alexander the Great.

Mixing history, culinary suggestions, practical information, and personal anecdotes, Weaver introduces us to unusual heirloom vegetables as well as to common favorites. He provides answers to general questions, such as the difference between a yam and a sweet potato, and presents lively portraits of one hundred vegetable varieties, which he's grown and harvested in his own kitchen garden.

Organized alphabetically by common name, 100 Vegetables includes beautifully detailed drawings throughout and a helpful appendix of seed resources.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

A tear-shaped shallot that is the darling of French cuisine. An American pea named after a gambling game. A violet carrot brought back from India by the Greeks following the conquests of Alexander the Great.

William Woys Weaver - veggie expert, gardener, and food historian - presents a range of peppers, potatoes, peas, gourds, onions, tomatoes, greens, and a whole lot more. What's the difference between a yam and a sweet potato? Are Jerusalem artichokes from Jerusalem? Where was the first tomato grown?

Mixing history, culinary suggestions, practical information, and personal anecdotes, Weaver tells the stories behind a variety of one hundred vegetables - stories about a pepper from the western slopes of the Andes (perfect for salsas and easy to grow in containers throughout North America), about a flowering fava from England (both the leaves and flowers are edible), about a squash from an ancient fishing town in Italy (good for stuffing and delicious with white wine), and a striped tomato from California (a must for salads and outdoor buffets).

William Woys Weaver has selected one hundred of the most irresistible vegetables, all of which he has grown and harvested in his own kitchen garden. With a helpful appendix of seed sources, practical tips, and beautifully detailed illustrations of each vegetable, 100 Vegetables and Where They Came From is a worldly feast for gardeners, vegetable lovers, cooks seeking inspiration, and those curious to know more about what's on their dinner plates.

From the Back Cover:

There's more to a potato than meets the eye.

William Woys Weaver picks one hundred of the most beautiful and intriguing vegetables from around the world and shares their stories.

PETALUMA GOLD RUSH BEAN - Brought to the United States from Peru by an American whaler who jumped ship.

LUMPER POTATO - The infamous potato that failed in Ireland and caused the great Irish famine - still grown and eaten today.

VICTORIA RHUBARB - Named after Queen Victoria, it's one of the heaviest-producing rhubarbs.

LITTLE NUBIAN PEPPER - An old Jamaican pepper known as the Sore Throat pepper, believed to soothe a sore throat when infused with rum and used as a gargle.

About this edition

• Publisher: Algonquin Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1565122380
• ISBN 13: 9781565122383
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336
• Illustrator: Sundberg-Hall Signe