Each time I shop at our local farm stand (which is a large farm stand, community center, yummy catering and grab-and-go food), I look for a new issue of Edible Boston. This is a gorgeous magazine with outstanding photography and informative articles. Over the few years I’ve been reading it, I’ve learned about a shared commercial kitchen in Jamaica Plain where everything from pickles to gingerbread cookies are made and packaged for retail, the ins and out of asparagus, and taken an armchair tour of a local bee-keeper’s facility. I even enjoy the ads – I’ve found a great spot for picking raspberries in the fall, and attended fun family events because of leads in Edible Boston.
Take a look at the website for the parent company, Edible Communities. There are local Edible magazines across the US – likely one for your area, the place you were raised, and a favorite vacation spot. A scrolling bar of the covers shows me that stunning photography isn’t limited to the Edible Boston edition! Although I get my local edition at the farm stand, you can also subscribe to one (or more) via mail or online editions.
Now Edible Communities has come out with a cookbook, appropriately titled Edible: A Celebration of Local Food (Wiley, April 2010). Here’s how the publisher describes it:
Discover the joys of local foods, from the experts at Edible CommunitiesA gorgeous full-color celebration of America’s local food heroes and traditions, Edible is a must-have for anyone interested in the local food movement, environmental issues, or just a great meal. The book profiles local food artisans who are making a difference and provides 80 seasonal specialty recipes that incorporate the very best local foods from every region of the United States.
Edible Communities is a dynamic and growing network of regional food magazines in the United States and Canada that celebrates place-based foods with compelling stories about and recipes from farmers, fishermen, chefs, and food artisans. With its emphasis on sustainable agriculture, small family farmers, and amazing artisanal food products, Edible is an earth-friendly guide to great eating.
- Six in-depth portraits of America’s distinct culinary regions are included, highlighting the unique cuisine and local foods of each
- The first section of the book features “Local Hero” essays that explore how people in our own neighborhoods are changing the way Americans eat
- The second section of the book includes recipes from each of the six regions, divided by seasonal availability of ingredients
Whether you want to experience the very best food from your region or be inspired by all the success stories in other regions, Edible is the ultimate guide to eating right for yourself, your community, and for the world.
Based on my fondness for the magazine, I think I’m safe to purchase this cookbook without even leafing thru it. It’ll be one of the birthday books I buy for myself. Have you seen it? Is it on your wishlist, too?
See what else is happening in the kitchens of the blogosphere this weekend. Check out Beth Fish Reads’ Weekend Cooking to find links to other food-related posts. There may be book reviews, recipes, kitchen gadget tips and tricks …
OMG — I think I have to have it! I have never heard of this, but I see that there isn’t one for central PA or for my hometown. But I think the cookbook is something that should be on my shelf — considering I hardly step into a grocery store from May to October.
That magazine sounds wonderful. I clicked through to their web site and I’m sad to say there’s not an edition near me.
Yay! Orlando is getting one in September! I will look for it in Whole Foods. Thank you for highlighting this!
I checked and they have one for Sarasota. I’m between there and Orlando so need to get both.
well, Jersey has an addition, but then we are the Garden State…really.
I was looking at the Jersey addition and I saw a restaurant that we go to in a nearby town is mentioned there several time. The owner is a great proponent of using local produce and meat and fish and totally does in her restaurant (with is not hard because NO ONE can beat a South Jersey tomato..or blueberries..or corn..or peaches…or scallops or flounder..) She started a big farmer’s market in the restaurant’s parking lot all summer, right on the bay and is involved in a lot of local food related charities. I think it is great when food related businesses get involved in these sort of things.
And I do not say this just because my niece is working there this summer…lol
Two great resources! I’d buy the book sight unseen too based on your experience with the magazine. I’m loving the whole eat local movement. A positive thing for so many reasons.
Beth F – I’ll look for it the next time I’m in the bookstore (today? tomorrow?)
Kathy – oh, that is a disappointment — sorry to get your hopes up.
Sandy – I think you’ll really like the magazine; there are a few (4-6) recipes in each issue
Vicki – It’s available free (here anyway) if you pick it up from one of the participating stores. Else there’s a subscrption/mail option (and a deal if you pick 3 editions, I think)
caite – of course, the Garden State! And you went on about this restaurant, but didn’t tell us the name or town … do share!
Margot – I’ll report back once I buy it. I do expect to be very pleased.
Oh this looks like a wonderful magazine, and I will be interested in hearing what you think of the cookbook when you buy it!!