Looking for the perfect gift for yourself or to share with family and friends as the year comes to a close? Look no further than this curated list of book recommendations from the Slow Books team for all of the cooks, readers, eaters and curious individuals in your life. Don’t forget to shop at your local independent bookstore, or purchase these titles from the Slow Food USA Bookshop.org online shop. You can also find unique, “slow” themed gifts from the Slow Market through Nov. 30.
FOR THE SLOW FOOD MEGA FAN
The Ark of Taste: Delicious and Distinctive Foods That Define the United States
It doesn’t get much more “good, clean and fair” than this! The Ark of Taste is a living catalog of ingredients, recipes and heritage that tend to be rare or even in threat of going extinct. But we can keep these foods on our plates by cooking with, eating and sharing the distinctive histories of these delicious foods. Here in the Midwest, I’ve come to love locally grown and sourced Ark ingredients like Cherokee Purple tomatoes, Moon & Stars watermelon as well as baking with Turkey Red wheat. Thanks to this cookbook (and the wonder of the internet providing access to some of these non-locally available ingredients), I can travel the nation without leaving my kitchen by exploring recipes with Carolina Gold rice or Alaskan Birch syrup, as well as learn the stories and histories behind them — a bookish food lover’s dream. — Katie
Further reading: If the Ark of Taste book is your jam, you won’t want to miss Deborah Parker Wong and Pam Strayer’s Slow Wine Guide USA 2024, now available for presale. After all, every “slow” meal deserves a “slow” wine pairing as well!
FOR THE SPANISH LANGUAGE-LOVING KID
The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos
This festive picture book is a Spanish language lesson and rice pudding recipe all in one! — Tammy
FOR THE FAN OF EATING FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD
Dandelion Medicine: Forage, Feast, and Nourish Yourself with This Extraordinary Weed by Brigitte Mars
Who knew the endless possibilities for nourishment (food) and healing (medicinal) associated with the one weed almost everyone has readily available in their backyard? Dive in for a taste of the practical applications as well as a generally informative, not to mention fascinating, read. – Margaret
FOR THE COOK EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS
The Global Pantry Cookbook: Transform Your Everyday Cooking with Tahini, Gochujang, Miso, and Other Irresistible Ingredients by Scott Mowbray and Ann Taylor Pittman
Two James Beard award-winning authors focus on the global ingredients that may have already (or if they haven’t, should) make their way into your pantry. – Margaret
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A LOVE OF THE LAND AND LEARNING FROM HISTORY
Go as a River by Shelley Read
Heavy but inspiring overall, this novel centers the daughter of a peach farmer in western Colorado during the 1950s & 60s. Due to the closed-mindedness and racism of her community and even close family members, she and her partner suffer harsh tragedies. Part of this story is about how her town is set to be flooded to turn the Gunnison River into a lake. – Tammy
FOR THE INSPIRED FORAGER
Held By The Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness by Leigh Joseph
If you enjoyed Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, Leigh Joseph’s book is a great guide to make the intention of being better tuned in to Indigenous wisdom, actionable. It’s a beautiful book with a beautiful message to guide you in how to harvest, along with applications for healing and for transforming these common plants into delicious recipes. – Katie
FOR THE INDIVIDUAL INTERESTED IN THE SCIENCE BEHIND THEIR DINNER
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Not only is this debut novel a fun and quick read that will spirit you away on Elizabeth Zott’s unexpected journey as women containing multitudes – a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of chemistry, a mother, and an unexpected TV star; but it will have you reconnecting to the joy related to cooking and eating food, which speaks directly to the Slow Food ethos. Plus, you’ll want to read the book before all 8 episodes of the Apple TV+ shows are available for streaming. Afterall, the book is always better. However, like the book, thus far I have personally found the TV series to have proven just as entertaining as the book if you’re looking for something to stream over the holiday season. -Katie
FOR THE YOUNG BAKER
Let’s Bake Bread!: A Family Cookbook to Foster Learning, Curiosity, and Skill Building in Your KidsThe family that bakes together… learns, grows, and eats delicious homemade bread together! With recipes geared towards children starting at the age of three and up, the whole family can roll up their sleeves and get dusted with flour to experiment with recipes from bun and rolls to (for the older kids) pizza and (more advanced) sourdough. -Margaret
FOR THE YOUNG ASPIRING BAKER
The Only Way to Make Bread by Cristina Quintero
Not only are the illustrations (by Sarah Gonzales) of this picture book bright and comforting (much like eating a loaf of freshly baked bread), but the message of this book will leave you with a warm, glad feeling as well. As a bonus, the book includes recipes in the back for go-to breads from various cultures. Afterall, the only way to make bread is your way! – Katie
FOR THE COOK WHO LOVES TO TRAVEL WITHOUT LEAVING THE FAMILIARITY OF THEIR OWN KITCHEN
Scandinavian from Scratch: A Love Letter to the Baking of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden by Nichole Accettola
Much like reading widely, cooking and baking has the power to transport us to new worlds and take us on adventures that don’t even require you to leave the comfort of your own home. With recipes including Cardamom Morning Buns, Black Currant Caves and Gravlax and Chive Potato Salad Smørrebrød, your kitchen will carry you away to Scandinavia. -Margaret
