Cookbooks and Other Books – Useful Reading for CSA Members
Cookbooks
- Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon (New Trends Publishing, Washington, DC 20007, 2001, www.newtrendspublishing.com). Ms. Fallon challenges the “diet dictocrats” and reminds us that traditional diets based on grass-fed livestock, cultured dairy products and fermented and fresh vegetables and fruits, provide an abundance of all the nutrients we need to live happy and healthy lives!
- From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Farm-Fresh, Seasonal Produce
(Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition, 4915 Monona Dr., Suite #304,Monona, WI 53716, (608) 226-0300 Ext.1). The main section of the book contains “The Vegetable Pages” – 46 different vegetables and herbs arranged alphabetically with information about each vegetable’s nutrition, history and storage. In addition, up to twelve recipes are featured for each vegetable. - Rolling Prairie Cookbook, by Nancy O’Connor (Spring Wheat Nutrition Education Services, 1198 N. 700 Rd., Lawrence, KS 66047, 1998). This cookbook was created to give a specific vegetable or herb an opportunity to shine. Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance in northeast Kansas has created such recipes as “Rosy Home Fries” (using beets, potatoes and peppers), “Summer Lasagna” (featuring zucchini, Swiss chard and basil) and “Savory Butternut Squash & Black Bean Burritos.”
- World Vegetarian, by Madhur Jaffre (Clarkson Potter/Publishers, New York, New York, 1999). The over 750 meatless recipes are drawn from virtually all the world’s culinary traditions – Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean. This is an interesting book with unusual and delicious recipes that will open up an international world of vegetable enjoyment.
Other books of interest to CSA Members:
- Field Guide to Produce, by Aliza Green (Quirk Books, 2004). The author is a chef, teacher and food writer based in the Philadelphia area. Recommended by CSA member Virginia Lamb, this book is an excellent resource for those members not familiar with the breadth of veggies we grow on our farm. Color photographs will help you identify each produce item, and you’ll find a description of each, including seasonal availability, how to choose it in the farm stand, storage tips, serving suggestions and other useful information.
- The Eco-foods Guide: What’s Good for the Earth is Good for You!, by Cynthia Barstow, (New Society Publishers, 2002). So now you’ve got your local organic veggies – what about the rest of the food you buy? This book covers the full range of food issues for the thoughtful consumer, from shade-grown and fair-trade coffee to genetically-modified organisms and dwindling global fisheries.
- Heirloom Vegetable Gardening, by William Woys Weaver (Henry Holt, 1997). The bulk of this book is a “Grower’s Guide to Selected Heirloom Vegetables,” with historical notes, names, and descriptions of the many wonderful and unusual vegetable varieties, including many of those we grow here at Honey Brook Organic Farm.
- The New Organic Grower: A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, by Eliot Coleman (Chelsea Green, rev. ed., 1995) Want to learn more about how organic production works? This is one of organic farming’s bibles.
- Reclaiming the Commons: Community Farms and Forests in a New England Town, by Brian Donahue (Yale, 1999). This book combines an agricultural history of New England with an account of the development of a community farm outside of Boston called Land’s Sake. Donahue argues for more preserved land and community farming programs nationwide.
- Ten Acres Enough: The Small Farm Dream is Possible, by Edmund Morris, edited by Lynn R. and Ralph C. Miller. This book was originally published anonymously, but is now attributed to Edmund Morris, a back-to-the-lander of the mid 1800’s whose farm was located in Burlington, New Jersey. Farmer Jim credits this book as being one of the most helpful resources early in his farming career, and you may recall that in 2003, Sherry and Jim did a series of articles in our monthly newsletter, The Local Harvest, chronicling their efforts to locate his farm. You can purchase this book for $19.95 + shipping and handling from Small Farmer’s Journal, PO Box 1627, Sisters, Oregon 97759, or call 1-800-876-2893 to place a credit card order.
- Small Farmer’s Journal, is published quarterly and subscribing to it is an absolute must for those who cherish agricultural knowledge of the past as well as share a hope for the future viability of family farms. To subscribe, call 1-800-876-2893, write Small Farmer’s Journal, PO Box 1627, Sisters, Oregon 97759, fax 1-541-549-4403, e-mail agrarian@smallfarmers journal.com or visit www.smallfarmersjournal.com.
