Vintage Pellegrini: The Collected Wisdom of an American Buongustaio

by Angelo Pellegrini

Angelo Pellegrini is one of America's favorite writers on the pleasures of food, wine and good company. This collection of his finest work represents the experiences of a long, full lifetime. Also available in $18.95, ISBN 0-912365-45-5.

Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

Reviews

[Al Doyle]

There are three main reasons people love the late Angelo Pelligrini. First, a love of food, cooking, and growing your own (food that is). Second is a connection or attraction to the Italian Immigrate community in Seattle and the Northwest. Third, exposure growing up in Seattle in the 60s and listening to Angelo on his radio show. Some of the lucky ones were taught by him at the Univesity of Washington or lived in his Northeast Seattle neighborhood.

I pretty much happen to fall into all the categories, and readily admit I am a fan and consider Angelo one of my role models. Since all of my Italian immigrant family, botgh fresh-off-the-boat and first-generation American born, have passed. Angelo now is the connection to the immigrant experience I and my cousins treasure.

If you haven't read Pelligrine, this book is a good entre point. If you're already an avid reader, you'll love the way this work fills in some of the contexts of Angelo's life. Vintage Pelligrine is a good place to start knowing Angelo, and actually any of his writings make an excellent starting point. I would add one caveat...Wine Makers Daughter was the one Angelo titles I did not enjoy. I felt he might have been trying too hard on that one.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angelo was my great uncle - one of his sisters was my grandmother - and growing up I spent a lot of time with what most would call extended family, but to me is just plain family. I entered the University of Washington a year after he went on emeritus status so never took a class from him (and truth be told I am not a reader of Shakespeare), but I have read all of his books. I can assure you he was a great storyteller in person and when I read his books I can hear the booming voice inflections and facial expressions with those distinctive eyebrows. His garden was amazing, and I always liked it when we went there for dinner and he roasted something in the outdoor brick oven he built. And the dinner table conversation was always lively. I enjoy this collection of his writings.