Too Many Tomatoes, Squash, Beans and Other Good Things is definitely not applicable to my garden this year but it would have really come in handy last year when I was covered in tomatoes and grew tired of canning and eating fresh tomato sauce. I know, the absurdity of such thoughts in light of how unsuccessful we were this year.
It isn’t a new book (first published in 1976), but one I recently came across in our University Library. It was sandwiched in the tiny vegetarian section so I decided to give it a look. Within an hour I had tracked it down on Amazon and purchased a copy for myself. The premise is pretty fantastical. Organized alphabetically by garden vegetable, each chapter begins with notes on growing and harvesting the vegetable, how much yield to expect, nutritional notes, and information on cooking, freezing, storage and basic preparation. It also lists complimentary herbs, something I’ve always wanted in a cookbook.
I adore that it has both simple and intermediate recipes. Nothing is overly sophisticated, and many of the recipes are just simple ways to enhance the flavor and enjoyment of your favorite vegetables. They also don’t call for the use of processed or convenience foods. It’s a treasure trove of helpful advice and simple recipes that help tame the tide when your garden runneth over. I highly recommend it for anyone’s collection, foodie or not.
Used copies are available on Amazon (for less than $10), and if you live in Columbia, my copy is due back September 21st.
