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From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Cooking With Farm-Fresh Produce
This informative and easy-to-use cookbook celebrates sustainable farming with a wide array of scrumptious recipes for seasonal, farm-fresh produce. From peas, peppers and potatoes to basil, bok choy, and burdock root, From Asparagus to Zucchini highlights the best of seasonal cuisine from around the country.
Revised and updated third edition recipes, 80% new, 100% are originalRecipes and information for more than 50 vegetables and herbsDishes from growers, farm members, and home cooks who love vegetablesSpecial sections on community supported agriculture, the benefits of eating locally, seasonal cooking, recipes for kids, and much, much more!
Revised and updated third edition recipes, 80% new, 100% are originalRecipes and information for more than 50 vegetables and herbsDishes from growers, farm members, and home cooks who love vegetablesSpecial sections on community supported agriculture, the benefits of eating locally, seasonal cooking, recipes for kids, and much, much more!
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 8, 2014
My youngest son when he was little: "There's something funny about this cheese." Me: "That's because it's carrots."
Got vegetables? This cookbook will tell you how to eat and/or store them. The recipes come from Wisconsin using locally-grown ingredients - some include cheese and a few possibly contain meat. Organized by vegetable, it must have been updated because my 1996 edition is spiral bound with a b&w cover similar to church cookbooks. Still my favorite, I bought it over 12 years ago when my family joined a CSA and we had more radishes than we knew how to use, along with unfamiliar summer greens, and our very first kohlrabi. If you've got a vegetable you can't identify, hand-drawn illustrations are included, but they aren't indexed, so you'd need to flip through the whole book. Better just to ask, "Is this... cheese?"
Got vegetables? This cookbook will tell you how to eat and/or store them. The recipes come from Wisconsin using locally-grown ingredients - some include cheese and a few possibly contain meat. Organized by vegetable, it must have been updated because my 1996 edition is spiral bound with a b&w cover similar to church cookbooks. Still my favorite, I bought it over 12 years ago when my family joined a CSA and we had more radishes than we knew how to use, along with unfamiliar summer greens, and our very first kohlrabi. If you've got a vegetable you can't identify, hand-drawn illustrations are included, but they aren't indexed, so you'd need to flip through the whole book. Better just to ask, "Is this... cheese?"
August 26, 2010
I have the first release of this book and through the years its pages have gotten pretty grubby from close proximity to the stove, sink and chopping block. Some really wonderful recipes that I go to year after year.
December 14, 2017
In an effort to add more veggies to our plates with a more enticing presentation to our school-aged kids, I took this home from the library. My first look through left me thinking it was just so-so, the recipes seemed a bit too complex for kids tastes. And then my kids got interested in the book -- read it to us!
The book includes text on how eating local reduces fossil fuel use because shipping is decreased. This caught my kids attention, both of whom worry about global warming. Each page features a different vegetable with a drawing and basic facts. The kids loved as I read through the various plants. Then they started pointing out recipes to try. Sweet potato bread with walnuts will be whipped up this coming weekend.
Given how well the kids took to this book, I'll consider purchasing a copy for our kitchen library. One short coming -- fruits are not included: no strawberries, apples, etc. But the list is quite complete, with veggies we have not tried before.
The book includes text on how eating local reduces fossil fuel use because shipping is decreased. This caught my kids attention, both of whom worry about global warming. Each page features a different vegetable with a drawing and basic facts. The kids loved as I read through the various plants. Then they started pointing out recipes to try. Sweet potato bread with walnuts will be whipped up this coming weekend.
Given how well the kids took to this book, I'll consider purchasing a copy for our kitchen library. One short coming -- fruits are not included: no strawberries, apples, etc. But the list is quite complete, with veggies we have not tried before.
December 18, 2017
I added this to my library a million years ago and only added it now when I saw a friend review it. My version is the old black & white, spiral-bound version that has fewer recipes than this most recent version. I have kept this book through many moves because it is the one book I can always reach for when I need practical advice about storing, basic prep, or flavor profile information about local vegetables grown in my area. In this book, you'll find everything you need to know to make these vegetables last as long as possible, or prepare them in a simple way (I.e., sauté or poach?). Essential for anyone tackling a mount of veggies as a part of a Dane County CSA!
March 11, 2024
An excellent overview of veggies, including ones that are often overlooked. I think it has inspired me to seek out and prepare some of the more unusual/overlooked vegetables.
June 15, 2010
This is a very good reference book put together by some avid gardeners from the Madison, WI Community Coalition. While it does have a few places where it is rather upper-midwest-centric, the variety of vegetables discussed and the original recipes (420!) for each CSA/farmer's market vegetable are a great resource for someone just starting out and eyeing their kohlrabi with suspicion.
Pros:
Vegetable-by-vegetable listing
Lots of recipes
Great detailed discussion of each item's nutritional strong points + how to wash/prep it + ways to cook it
Cons:
Most of the recipes seem very "health-food"y -- you won't find eggplant parmesan on the eggplant page, or much meat anywhere. This isn't really a "con" per se, but might matter to some.
Pros:
Vegetable-by-vegetable listing
Lots of recipes
Great detailed discussion of each item's nutritional strong points + how to wash/prep it + ways to cook it
Cons:
Most of the recipes seem very "health-food"y -- you won't find eggplant parmesan on the eggplant page, or much meat anywhere. This isn't really a "con" per se, but might matter to some.
March 10, 2012
We bought an earlier edition of this book the first year we joined our CSA and it has been such a helpful resource. If I can't remember or don't know the best way to store produce, I look it up, if I need inspiration for cooking something, I go look it up. Arranged in alphabetical order by produce, it is a great resource.
We purchased the newer edition and it is just as wonderful as it now has original recipes from members and farmers. I kept my old edition as some of the recipes from other cookbooks, etc. that were in the first edition were removed from the later edition, still a great book that I won't get rid of!!
We purchased the newer edition and it is just as wonderful as it now has original recipes from members and farmers. I kept my old edition as some of the recipes from other cookbooks, etc. that were in the first edition were removed from the later edition, still a great book that I won't get rid of!!
July 29, 2008
I love this book! It is incredibly practical and user friendly. If you have too many onions, for example, you can turn right to the onion section and find recipes and quick and easy food pairings and how to use it (like suggestions for quick salads, side dishes, soups/casserole add ins, etc.) It's a great compliment to a CSA membership and using up (and enjoying!) lots of veggies you may not be too familiar with. Also, it also includes some common herb sections that have given me more ideas to put some of the herbs from my garden to good use!
February 7, 2010
This is a fantabulous cookbook. It's arranged by veggie, a trait that I might or might not like as the season progresses, though it would be good to be able to just locate a recipe quickly based on crop surplus. It's written by Madison (WI) Area CSA Coalition, which is in zone 4b-5a, so the veggies they grow & cook are not very different from the ones I would be using. There are many informative essays, stats & even a poem before the recipes start; there are indices of agricultural organizations and books a the end.
January 2, 2016
A wonderful cookbook for gardeners or members of CSAs. The first cookbook I bought that organized recipes by vegetable and included recipes that were truly seasonal and I could actually make. You aren't going to find recipes for an ingredient matched with a bunch of exotic other ingredients or things that are out of season at the time.
It seems to realize that if you're eating from the garden in the Midwest you will have lots of greens. You need sauces and dressings. This book gives you what you need and also a good start on making your own recipes and combinations.
It seems to realize that if you're eating from the garden in the Midwest you will have lots of greens. You need sauces and dressings. This book gives you what you need and also a good start on making your own recipes and combinations.
June 15, 2010
MUST HAVE cookbook by local Wisconsin organic farmers. A guide to "Farm-Fresh, Seasonal Produce". The great thing about this cookbook: less common vegetables get more recipes and advice. This bk (combined with the weekly delivery of a box of fresh organic veggies each week from a CSA) helped me discover new veggies. Now I love celeriac, kohlrabi, chard... And still enjoy zuchini, tomatos, potatos... But in new ways. I wish I could buy this for everyone I know.
July 11, 2008
I love this cookbook! I purchased it via the first CSA farm we had a share in and have used it over and over and over. My copy has a spiral binding that makes it easier to use in the kitchen. I find myself rereading this book every spring when the fresh local produce starts showing up in the markets.
October 10, 2012
Arranged by veggie, so if I'm in the mood for eggplant, mint, or squash -- you name it -- I have a range of simple recipes and tips to choose from. It also has great preparation tips at the beginning of each section, which gives me an idea of the proper way to prepare each veggie and options to play around with.
September 9, 2008
There are some good recipes in here divided up by what vegetable you're cooking. It also has information on storage and general cooking tips for each vegetable. It's a handy resource for vegetables local to Wisconsin.
October 23, 2008
Great to have if you have a vegetable you want to use and need inspiration or an easy recipe fast. Especially useful if you own a CSA share and get something you don't normally cook or need a new way to use it.
September 10, 2009
This book is great for having a vegetable on hand and needing some recipes to go with it. Most of them on are vegetarian and many can be made vegan with alterations. So far, all of the recipes I've tried are good. The sesame asparagus soup recipe alone makes the purchase price worth it!
May 22, 2015
Alphabetically organized by veggie - a GREAT resource for using up the mystery ingredients in your CSA basket. Each item has 6-10 recipes pulled from a variety of sources. Helped us overcome our fear of fennel and kohlrabi.
April 29, 2011
This was a great book made in Madison WI! I will buy this book at some point. I like how it lists an ingedient (such as rhubarb) and then gives 5 or so recipes. Everything is in alphabetical order too. There was even a recipe for beet cake!
April 30, 2011
Wonderful resource for eating, prepping, storing, cooking, and preserving herbs and vegetables. No pictures, pretty simple, but gets the job done. A must reference guide for anyone interested in eating more vegetable or is in a CSA and is looking for inspirations.
August 22, 2011
This is a FANTASTIC and easy to use cookbook. I joined a CSA this year, and I've had a hard time finding recipes for the assortment of unpopular vegetables I've gotten. This cookbook is a great resource.
January 2, 2012
Love this cookbook! Has tips on how best to store, clean, and cook a variety of vegetables, as well as recipes for each. Perfect for a new CSA member, or someone trying to expand their vegetable palate and knowledge.
September 8, 2007
This is a GREAT resource for using seasonal, farm-fresh produce. I don't own it yet, but I sure need to get my hands on a copy.
September 9, 2007
A must-have book for fresh, summer cooking. I'm actually using recipes this summer, which have been a big hit with my hubby.
April 1, 2008
One of the best cookbooks for eating seasonally! My relationship with it will change with the weather, and I'm so looking forward to exploring summer and fall with it.
September 27, 2008
I refer to this book often for in-season veggie recipes. More importantly the storage tips have been a life-saver. A must-own book for locavores.
October 28, 2010
This book is going to be my Bible this year on the micro-farm. I'm having kohlrabi for breakfast.
November 10, 2010
This one I did order a copy for myself. It's a very good resource for learning how to store and preserve and prepare (several recipes provided for each item) all the local produce available!
July 16, 2012
Veggies! Essentially a bible of how to store, preserve, and serve a wide range of CSA-type vegetables.
January 1, 2023
Great way to encourage vegetable consumption, especially of some less common vegetables you might get in your CSA box.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews