Mediterranean Vegetables

Book excerpt: “Finally a definitive book on the way the world is eating today. . . . Savory, vibrant, and healthy, and destined to be an instant classic.” —Bobby Flay With Mediterranean Vegetables, Mediterranean food expert Clifford A. Wright gives us a new world of great tastes. Never before has such a wealth of information on vegetables of the Mediterranean been collected in one place. Each entry describes a vegetable and its varieties, explains its origins and its culinary history from ancient times right up through the present, and details how to grow and harvest is and where to buy it. Included are many vegetables that you may use every day, such as spinach, carrots, peppers, and tomatoes, as well as those you regularly see in markets but are unsure how to prepare, such as celeriac, kohlrabi, and taro. There are also those that you can easily cultivate in your garden or find growing wild, such as borage and garden cress. You’ll find authentic recipes for such classics as ratatouille, gazpacho, and tabbouleh, as well as recipes for such less familiar dishes including Artichoke Hearts in Citrus Sauce and Golden Breadcrumbs, Fried Eggplant with Yogurt, etouffee of White Beans, Carrot Frittata, and more. Comprehensive and eminently accessible, Mediterranean Vegetables is, quite simply, a must-have reference and cookbook. “There are so many interesting flavors and combinations here. Having had the honor of eating some of these dishes cooked by Cliff’s own hand, I know how good they really are. I can’t wait to cook them myself.” —Deborah Madison, author of Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and The Greens Cookbook