LOCAL FLAVORS
My Description
Cookbooks are, I’m guessing, like children: you love them all and say you don't have a favorite. But Local Flavors somehow captures what I am most passionate about, the experience of buying directly from those who grow our food, the special character of local foods, and the joy of cooking them. Farmers' markets, of course, are the best source for all of these experiences.
I long wanted to write a book about farmers' markets, but I didn't want to write about only my market in Santa Fe. Since I know it so well, though, I refer to it as a touchstone, returning to it after forays into other parts of the country. I visited about 100 markets, from east to west and north to south, seeing what they had to offer. (I’m still visiting new markets, and I'm still being amazed by what I find!) I went to big, famous markets, old markets, and brand new markets consisting of just a handful of farmers. And along the way I interviewed farmers, market managers, and shoppers, whose words and observations are woven into each chapter. There are stories that relate to farming and marketing and menus to help you put your market harvest together.
There are three premises that apply to the recipes in this book: One, that foods in season together taste good together; two, that when ingredients are well grown and fresh, our efforts in the kitchen diminish greatly; and three, in season is where you live. The recipes are therefore very straightforward, reflecting the possibilities of the market's offerings rather than artificial contrivances.
Local Flavors is illustrated with gorgeous photographs by Laurie Smith and watercolors by my husband, Patrick McFarlin, who endured many long market visits with me.
What Others Say
"If pressed to select a single thing that could save our food supply from destruction, I would say it is our farmers' markets. Deborah Madison brings them to life for all of us. Bless her for this gift."
—Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of Minnesota Public Radio's national program "The Splendid Table(TM)"
"This is food writing taken to its highest calling. To walk through a farmers' market with Deborah Madison is my idea of heaven. Local Flavors is no less than a luscious miracle."
—Gary Nabhan, Ph.D., author of Coming Home to Eat
"Deborah Madison is a wizard at combining ingredients in new ways that feel honest and traditional. She is one of very few people responsible for reinventing and furthering the cause of American home cooking."
—Mark Bittman, author of How to Cook Everything
"In her gorgeous new book, Deborah Madison has gathered together great information on our nation's best farmers' markets and lovingly crafted thoughts on what to do with their bounty. Thank you Deborah!"
—Michael Romano, author of Second Helpings from Union Square Cafe
"Deborah Madison is a wonder. Just when you imagine that you have more than enough cookbooks, she comes along with another you can't do without. If you've thought about eating seasonally but don't know how, run out and get this book. You need it."
—Joan Dye Gussow, author of This Organic Life
"Deborah Madison's Local Flavors is a seductively beautiful and important book. It teaches us how farmers' markets can revolutionize the way we eat and live."
—Alice Waters, chef and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant
