This is a book review of A Midwest Gardener’s Cookbook by Marian K Towne. It’s the perfect book for Midwest families looking to eat from locally grown, in-season food.
A Midwest Gardener’s Cookbook is a medium sized paperback book published by Indiana University Press. First published in 1996 it is a timeless type of book and one any gardener and/or cook in Kansas and beyond would do well to add to their collection. It is available from Amazon.com (new, or for under $8 from the marketplace) and from local independent bookstores.
Things to Like about A Midwest Gardener’s Cookbook
Written by a cook and gardener with 50 years of experience in cooking according to seasonal principles. Recipes for 94 locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs by season (1-2 pages of recipes for each different fruit, vegetable, or herb).
What You Will Not Find
This is not a photo laden gourmet cookbook. Neither is it a cookbook for the complete beginner – the recipes range from basic, to imaginative, and varied.
What is in A Midwest Gardener’s Cookbook
The book is divided by season with 4 sections – spring through winter. At the start of each section is a list of the fruits, vegetables and herbs covered in that section. At the start of the entry for each fruit, vegetable or herb are little personal anecdotes by the author and pieces of information for the gardener. There are tips on harvesting, freezing, drying and involving kids. Both the text and the charming hand-drawn, homely illustrations are in a restful shade of brown text.
As well as the usual fruits and vegetables which you might expect to find there are some unusual ones – native plants, edible flowers, widespread introduced species, or even weeds:
- dandelions
- mulberries
- violets
- chokecherries
- daylilies
- elderberries
- grape leaves
- nasturtiums
- paw paws
- persimmons
- rose geranium
Who Should Buy This Book?
If you live in the Midwest ( Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin) and are interested in cooking with locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs A Midwest Gardener’s Cookbook is for you.
Whether you grow your own food, shop at the local farmer’s market, or subscribe to a CSA scheme, this book will help you understand what is in season and how to use it in the kitchen. For the gardeners, you’ll also learn what to grow for harvesting in each season and a little of how.
Shop for this book at Amazon.com (new, or for under $8 from the marketplace) or at your local independent bookstore.
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