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Verdure: Simple Recipes in the Italian Style
One hundred healthful and delicious Italian recipes centered on the best fresh, seasonal produce
From artichoke frittata to zucchini soup, Vitale offers simple and nutritious recipes dedicated entirely to vegetables. Providing tips on selecting fresh ingredients and bringing out each dish’s unique flavor, Verdure represents the best of northern Italian cuisine, and is a must-have for anyone seeking no-frills meals using the best that any local produce market has to offer.
From artichoke frittata to zucchini soup, Vitale offers simple and nutritious recipes dedicated entirely to vegetables. Providing tips on selecting fresh ingredients and bringing out each dish’s unique flavor, Verdure represents the best of northern Italian cuisine, and is a must-have for anyone seeking no-frills meals using the best that any local produce market has to offer.
- GenresCookbooks
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 14, 2024
Excellent recipes for vegetables
I loved the recipes in this particular cookbook. Many of them are extremely easy. There is a wide variety. I remember a number of them being served at my grandmother's table.
I loved the recipes in this particular cookbook. Many of them are extremely easy. There is a wide variety. I remember a number of them being served at my grandmother's table.
July 22, 2017
Thumbs up
Nice receipes, easy to prepare. Kindle version was well laid out and navigable. Good variety of receipes for each vegetable.
Nice receipes, easy to prepare. Kindle version was well laid out and navigable. Good variety of receipes for each vegetable.
December 29, 2019
Can't wait to try these recipes
I cannot wait to try these recipes. They all look delicious! Thank you for writing this book and sharing your recipes.
I cannot wait to try these recipes. They all look delicious! Thank you for writing this book and sharing your recipes.
December 3, 2012
A basic simple book delivering one hundred healthful and delicious Italian recipes which, as you would expect, use the best fresh, seasonal produce available. That is the promise and that is what is delivered.
This book starts with a different approach to that used in other books, it focusses on a given ingredient and after a fairly comprehensive overview and history you then get the recipes that feature the ingredient in question. So artichokes, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, fennel, lentils, mushrooms, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, string beans, tomatoes and zucchini are all treated to their own chapter and detailed treatment.
Why this way of doing things? According to the author it was due to frustration at matching inspiring recipes to his available vegetables. This reviewer can sympathise with this and wishes there was an iPhone app that lets you take a picture of your fridge and it would magically work out the contents and present recipes based around the items found there. OK, one can dream… The author has deliberately focussed on vegetables, all prepared in a northern Italian style and this book manages to show that a meat-free dish can be a tasty, enjoyable thing even for the dedicated meat-eaters. Vegetarians may find this book also a great, different tome despite it not specifically promoting its vegetarian credentials.
The recipes are simply and cleanly written with about the only omission being the standard "lack of prep and cook times" that this reviewer notices are almost universally omitted. If you need full-colour photography to aid you then prepare for a disappointment. The range and diversity of recipes is very pleasing, including items that had not sprung to mind in the past such as fried carrots or sweet-and-sour small onions!
This is a book that might be otherwise overlooked but overlook it at your peril. You will surely find many recipes that can be used either as a standalone meal or as a complement to other dishes. Innovate, mix and invigorate as you go. A recommended resource.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
This book starts with a different approach to that used in other books, it focusses on a given ingredient and after a fairly comprehensive overview and history you then get the recipes that feature the ingredient in question. So artichokes, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, fennel, lentils, mushrooms, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, string beans, tomatoes and zucchini are all treated to their own chapter and detailed treatment.
Why this way of doing things? According to the author it was due to frustration at matching inspiring recipes to his available vegetables. This reviewer can sympathise with this and wishes there was an iPhone app that lets you take a picture of your fridge and it would magically work out the contents and present recipes based around the items found there. OK, one can dream… The author has deliberately focussed on vegetables, all prepared in a northern Italian style and this book manages to show that a meat-free dish can be a tasty, enjoyable thing even for the dedicated meat-eaters. Vegetarians may find this book also a great, different tome despite it not specifically promoting its vegetarian credentials.
The recipes are simply and cleanly written with about the only omission being the standard "lack of prep and cook times" that this reviewer notices are almost universally omitted. If you need full-colour photography to aid you then prepare for a disappointment. The range and diversity of recipes is very pleasing, including items that had not sprung to mind in the past such as fried carrots or sweet-and-sour small onions!
This is a book that might be otherwise overlooked but overlook it at your peril. You will surely find many recipes that can be used either as a standalone meal or as a complement to other dishes. Innovate, mix and invigorate as you go. A recommended resource.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
May 25, 2013
From artichoke frittata to zucchini soup, Vitale offers simple and nutritious recipes dedicated entirely to vegetables. Providing tips on selecting fresh ingredients and bringing out each dish’s unique flavor, Verdure represents the best of northern Italian cuisine, and is a must-have for anyone seeking no-frills meals using the best that any local produce market has to offer.
Given to me in ebook format by www.netgalley.com
The book translates well into an ebook format, and there are chapter links at the beginning that allows the user to jump to that section, which is a useful addition. The book is split into chapters covering various vegetables (e.g. Artichoke and Peas), and there is a brief description of each vegetable before the recipes are presented, detailing when they are best in season, and giving approximate cooking times.
There are few images in the book, which is a good thing when presented in a black and white format of an ebook. However the image clarity is excellent where they do exist. Font size is good, making the book easy to read, and is easily adjustable for those that require it.
Each recipe is short and to the point, requiring very few ingredients - this allows the cook to work with a small budget and also build up a set of smaller plates of vegetables (westerners would class them as side dishes). The recipes make sure to show vegetables at their best without drenching them in heavy sauces. The brevity of the recipe does assume a certain knowledge of basic preparation and cooking techniques, so this is not a book for an absolute beginner just starting out (for that, go look at Delia!)
Where possible, the book also provides suggestions to lift the dishes into a "main" dish such as using the dish as a sauce for pasta. Most of the dishes are immediately suitable for vegetarians, or can be after a small amount of modification (e.g. by replacing the cheese with a vegetarian equivalent).
In summary: a useful and interesting addition to the cookbook range especially for those who wish to add new and interesting vegetable recipes to their repertoire!
Given to me in ebook format by www.netgalley.com
The book translates well into an ebook format, and there are chapter links at the beginning that allows the user to jump to that section, which is a useful addition. The book is split into chapters covering various vegetables (e.g. Artichoke and Peas), and there is a brief description of each vegetable before the recipes are presented, detailing when they are best in season, and giving approximate cooking times.
There are few images in the book, which is a good thing when presented in a black and white format of an ebook. However the image clarity is excellent where they do exist. Font size is good, making the book easy to read, and is easily adjustable for those that require it.
Each recipe is short and to the point, requiring very few ingredients - this allows the cook to work with a small budget and also build up a set of smaller plates of vegetables (westerners would class them as side dishes). The recipes make sure to show vegetables at their best without drenching them in heavy sauces. The brevity of the recipe does assume a certain knowledge of basic preparation and cooking techniques, so this is not a book for an absolute beginner just starting out (for that, go look at Delia!)
Where possible, the book also provides suggestions to lift the dishes into a "main" dish such as using the dish as a sauce for pasta. Most of the dishes are immediately suitable for vegetarians, or can be after a small amount of modification (e.g. by replacing the cheese with a vegetarian equivalent).
In summary: a useful and interesting addition to the cookbook range especially for those who wish to add new and interesting vegetable recipes to their repertoire!
April 5, 2016
Title: Verdure - Simple Recipes in the Italian Style
Author: Gioietta Vitale
Published: 3-13-12
Publisher: Open Road
Pages: 136
Genre: Cooking, Food & Wine
Sub Genre: Cookbooks; Italian; Main Courses & Side Dishes
ISBN: 9781453246269
ASIN: B0079RZNS8
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 1/2
.
.
One hundred healthy Italian recipes using fresh produce in season. All the recipes are done in the flavor style of Northern Italy's simple dishes with robust flavors where the main ingredient is the star of the dish and supportive roles go to the herbs and seasonings. These are not elaborate, labor intensive recipes. That alone makes it a great cookbook for new cooks or those without a lot of experience in the kitchen but still wanting to provide healthy food for themselves and their families.
I love carrots but have never heard of fried carrots before and was surprised at how great they tasted. You need to give the sweet and sour onions (a vegetable I usually use to flavor a dish but really like the flavor of) a try. The recipes in this cookbook will have you wanting to move to northern Italy to try more dishes from this region known for its flavors. Based on the produce that is in season that you have grown yourself or purchased from the farmers market or street vendors. My rating is 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/verdu...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Gioietta Vitale
Published: 3-13-12
Publisher: Open Road
Pages: 136
Genre: Cooking, Food & Wine
Sub Genre: Cookbooks; Italian; Main Courses & Side Dishes
ISBN: 9781453246269
ASIN: B0079RZNS8
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 1/2
.
.
One hundred healthy Italian recipes using fresh produce in season. All the recipes are done in the flavor style of Northern Italy's simple dishes with robust flavors where the main ingredient is the star of the dish and supportive roles go to the herbs and seasonings. These are not elaborate, labor intensive recipes. That alone makes it a great cookbook for new cooks or those without a lot of experience in the kitchen but still wanting to provide healthy food for themselves and their families.
I love carrots but have never heard of fried carrots before and was surprised at how great they tasted. You need to give the sweet and sour onions (a vegetable I usually use to flavor a dish but really like the flavor of) a try. The recipes in this cookbook will have you wanting to move to northern Italy to try more dishes from this region known for its flavors. Based on the produce that is in season that you have grown yourself or purchased from the farmers market or street vendors. My rating is 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/verdu...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
May 11, 2013
I have been following the Mediterranean Diet for four months now and this book is perfect for following the plan. Italy is considered a Mediterranean country and is part of the diet, but most of the recipes that you find are filled with pasta and cream sauces that are absolutely out of the questions. That is until I found Verdure!
Verdure is the pantheon of simple Italian style vegetable dishes that take advantage of all the great vegetables of the upcoming summer. This cookbook is literally an A to Z of ways to build more vegetables into you diet. The recipes are easy to prepare and really prescribe to minimalist theory. Many of the recipes are 5 to 7 ingredients, with olive oil and vinegar being key flavor ingredients.
The recipes also use key cooking techniques that will help you keep the nutrition in the vegetables instead of being cooked out in the boiling water or by overcooking them in the oven. I have only started working my way through the recipes in this book, but each one we try takes us somewhere that we have not ventured before and brings a little piece of Italy into our home.
I will be hitting this cookbook nightly for a while so that I can take advantage of the great fresh produce available at the local farmers markets.
Verdure is the pantheon of simple Italian style vegetable dishes that take advantage of all the great vegetables of the upcoming summer. This cookbook is literally an A to Z of ways to build more vegetables into you diet. The recipes are easy to prepare and really prescribe to minimalist theory. Many of the recipes are 5 to 7 ingredients, with olive oil and vinegar being key flavor ingredients.
The recipes also use key cooking techniques that will help you keep the nutrition in the vegetables instead of being cooked out in the boiling water or by overcooking them in the oven. I have only started working my way through the recipes in this book, but each one we try takes us somewhere that we have not ventured before and brings a little piece of Italy into our home.
I will be hitting this cookbook nightly for a while so that I can take advantage of the great fresh produce available at the local farmers markets.
September 6, 2012
Verdure: Simple Recipes in the Italian Style by Gioietta Vitale pays homage to the simplicity of authentic Italian cuisine using the freshest of ingredients, in this case vegetables, with one hundred easy, delicious recipes.
Verdure is separated by vegetable, which include artichokes, beans, celery, eggplant, fennel, mushrooms, tomatoes, and zucchini, among others, because “[t]his book is for those . . . nights when you need a simple yet delicious recipe for vegetables already in your refrigerator or those you couldn’t pass up at the market.”
As the author is from Milan, the styles of preparation come from northern Italy and recipes include soups, salads, baked dishes, and much more. Some of the recipes do include meat, especially pancetta, but the vast majority are entirely vegetarian dishes.
My one disappointment is that, as with Vitale’s other cookbook, Riso, there are no photographs of the dishes. Still, Verdure deserves four stars for the vast collection of veggie ideas.
Verdure is, quite simply, a winner of a cookbook for anyone who appreciates and/or would like to learn more about authentic Italian cuisine, particularly from the north. Highly recommended.
Verdure is separated by vegetable, which include artichokes, beans, celery, eggplant, fennel, mushrooms, tomatoes, and zucchini, among others, because “[t]his book is for those . . . nights when you need a simple yet delicious recipe for vegetables already in your refrigerator or those you couldn’t pass up at the market.”
As the author is from Milan, the styles of preparation come from northern Italy and recipes include soups, salads, baked dishes, and much more. Some of the recipes do include meat, especially pancetta, but the vast majority are entirely vegetarian dishes.
My one disappointment is that, as with Vitale’s other cookbook, Riso, there are no photographs of the dishes. Still, Verdure deserves four stars for the vast collection of veggie ideas.
Verdure is, quite simply, a winner of a cookbook for anyone who appreciates and/or would like to learn more about authentic Italian cuisine, particularly from the north. Highly recommended.
March 1, 2013
One hundred healthful and delicious Italian recipes centered on the best fresh, seasonal produce From artichoke frittata to zucchini soup, Vitale offers simple and nutritious recipes dedicated entirely to vegetables. Providing tips on selecting fresh ingredients and bringing out each dish's unique flavor, Verdure represents the best of northern Italian cuisine, and is a must-have for anyone seeking no-frills meals using the best that any local produce market has to offer.
Fantastic cookbook centered around strictly vegetables prepared in the Northern Italian style. I love Italian cooking, and constantly look for ways to fix vegetables more and more in a way my family will enjoy and return for seconds. This book looks like a winner!! Each vegetable has its own section with a description, time of year it is harvested, best ways to prepare, other vegetables it goes well with an cooking times and multiple recipes. I can't wait to start cooking!!
I received a digital copy of this book from Open Road Integrated Media to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fantastic cookbook centered around strictly vegetables prepared in the Northern Italian style. I love Italian cooking, and constantly look for ways to fix vegetables more and more in a way my family will enjoy and return for seconds. This book looks like a winner!! Each vegetable has its own section with a description, time of year it is harvested, best ways to prepare, other vegetables it goes well with an cooking times and multiple recipes. I can't wait to start cooking!!
I received a digital copy of this book from Open Road Integrated Media to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 24, 2013
I have a kitchen full of cookbooks, but am always on the lookout for ideas for side dishes and veggie main courses. This little book, filled with fast and inexpensive recipes that don't require a huge pantry for additional ingredients, exceeded my expectations. The recipes are organized by vegetable main ingredient, and although a few are substantial, most are light and lovely. Each veg has a brief introduction that explains when to purchase, what to look for, cooking times and methods Nothing in the fridge but carrots? No prob--sautéed, mashed, fried or made into a simple salad, and all versions were delicious. How about a broccoli salad not weighed down with mayo and bacon, but herbed and lightly dressed? Or celery blanched and sautéed--it was delicious. Easy to read, well written recipes. Love this book!
September 1, 2015
These simple, foolproof recipes showcase the featured vegetables. No exotic ingredients are called for, and preparation is quick and easy for each dish. The recipes are simple sides and salads that will make a main course shine and do not require much time to prepare (and ingredients can be found usually year-round and in even the most basic supermarket). Perhaps some of the recipes are so simple as to be common sense, but this back-to-basics approach is a good reminder that vegetables don't need a lot of coaxing to reveal their flavor and versatility.
October 23, 2013
So many great ways to cook veggies. I'm always looking for something new and this book has a lot of great stuff I cant wait to try!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews