Verdura: Vegetables Italian Style

by Viana La Place, Ann Field (Illustrator)

A collection of nearly three hundred vegetable recipes from the kitchens of Italy features such delectable dishes as brushetta with roasted tomatoes and raw mushrooms, artichoke and black olive pesto, and radicchio with cream

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Italian Literature, Nonfiction, Vegetarian, Italy

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Viana La Place is the author or coauthor of eight other Italian cookbooks, including Verdura: Vegtables Italian Style, Cucina Fresca, and Pasta Fresca. She lives in San Francisco.

Reviews

[Katharina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. Every time I open it I just want to eat loads of veggies, and this is in spite of its lack of glossy, tempting pictures, which for me usually means that a cookery book is doomed to sit on the shelf indefinitely.

[Hester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost every recipe I have made has been fantastic. Well-written and fun to read, even if you don't cook every recipe. This is one of the books that defines the way I cook and eat.

[Dara Gellman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this delightful book for the way in which it exults the nature of fresh vegetables and fruit. Most of the preparations are simple and easily customizable if you so desire, intended to make use of fresh, in season produce from the market. While there are no pictures, which I usually dislike, I find myself reaching for this book and over again.

I think you can get a sense of the author's reverence for plant life when she says “eating the tender, raw leaves of green plants gives us one of our closest and most profound connections to nature. And when the leaves grow in your own garden, the connection to nature is complete” - a message that resonates with me and draws me to this book repeatedly over time.

[Rosemary Burton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new

Boring and no photos the information is too basic. The recipes are hand me downs of what should be classics but they are mostly dishes that don't actually need a recipe. Simple should be streamlined fresh and make the information easier to access while inspiring you to try something. There is nothing inspiring in this cluttered list of vegetables in various combinations. I won't be keeping it even as reference.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cookbook includes both romantic descriptions and detailed but simple instructions. I have enjoyed the recipes that I have made so far, and have many marked to try!

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was unimpressed. This book was originally published in 1991, and it does feel dated. I have only spent limited time in Italy but this book does feel to me less authentic and more like Italian food via early 90s American tastes.

Regardless of their quality, I will always feel strongly ambivalent about writers who publish recipes that consist of no more than suggestions that one should eat one's arugula with some olive oil, salt, and lemon juice; or that one should try orange slices for dessert. I didn't save a single recipe from this book.

[An Italian Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book for vegetarians who love authentic, Italian cooking. I have about 40 favourite recipes in this book from all over Italy. It's a great reference book too and has a decent glossary. There is also a fun section on pantry recipes! Excellent.

[Ange]

nice