07/01/2023
Slow Food's Ark of Taste project is an effort to catalogue and raise awareness about the amazing range of heritage foods available, in an effort to preserve and promote them before they disappear. Foods from across the United States are compiled in this resource for food lovers and history buffs alike. Each region of the country is represented, from the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest, with a variety of foods, their histories, and how they help define the U.S. as a country. Distinctive breeds and heirloom varieties that readers may not have heard of (such as Cayuga duck and Long Island cheese pumpkin) fill the pages, along with some more familiar and beloved items, such as Tupelo honey and Carolina Gold rice. Throughout the book, there are recipes scattered from each area that use at least one, but sometimes more, of the ingredients mentioned. Cocktails, dinners, desserts, and more are represented in what is an intriguing approach to learning about both food and how it relates to American history. VERDICT A distinctive look at heritage food in the U.S. that is packed with information.—Sarah Filiberto
