Slow Food Nation's Come to the Table: The Slow Food Way of Living

by Alice L. Waters

Where do great meals begin? Come to the Table brings you straight to the source of wonderful flavors, beauty, abundance, and pride of place—the small farms of California and the people who tend them season after season.
Alice Waters, the celebrated chef and food activist, introduces a remarkable group of resilient fresh-food artisans who are committed to keeping our food supply delicious, diverse, and safe—for humans and the planet.
Meet the folks down on the farm and learn firsthand about the back-to-the-future small-farm economy that's gaining strength across America.
Discover new tastes and memorable traditions. Explore local flavors, wit, and wisdom along with the universal values of a food system that is "good, clean, and fair." Recreate a range of sumptuous yet simple meals with the farmers' own family recipes—including breakfast crostata and fresh-fruit jams, stuffed artichokes and black-eyed peas, chile relleno casseroles, pulled pork, and cheesecake.
Sustainable food is real food. Come to the table, and help yourself!

Genres: Food, Cooking, Nonfiction, Sustainability, Philosophy

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2008

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spotted this title in a Bon Appetite magazine and was delighted to discover that the bulk of the book consists of vignettes of thirteen family and community supported farms of diverse sizes and descriptions. The at-a-glance description of "going slow" includes buying organic (careful, this may not be what you think it is now that the word is trademarked), avoiding "genetically modified food" (easier said than done -- watch Food, Inc. or The Future of Food for more info), buying local (farmer's markets, local dairies, etc.), making things from scratch, and more.

There are about twenty pages of mouth watering recipes to try. There are one page capsules of tips on cooking from scratch, storage, preserves, the pasteurization question, organic certification, making frozen pops / yogurt cheese / fast refrigerator jam / refrigerator pickles, green kitchen tools such as mortar&pestle / cast iron pot / food dehydrater / herb pot / terra-cotta crock, and even a bit on real estate!

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that celebrates the local farmer, but more importantly, its intent is to educate consumers as to why they should buy locally and what the issues are facing small farms. It definitely highlights big government initiatives (problems and roadblocks) and why it is good for consumers and the earth to see small farms emerge again. It contains decent recipes, too, but the focus is rather political as it firmly pushes back on our fast food nation.

[Aja Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly dedicated to stories of mostly west coast small family farms-- which is cool, I just expected it to be full of recipes. The handful of recipes are mainly a logical pairing to the stories, but none of them are particularly eye opening-- though I was curious about the two recipes that use pumpkin plant leaves and chili plant leaves--- interesting!!

[T-mere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book filled with wonderful stories and great recipes.... the Chicken and Chile Leaves and Dutch-Oven Pot Roast with Root Vegetables are fantastic!

A treasure worthy of a place on your kitchen shelf-- just in time for Thanksgiving!

-Happy Eating!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reinforces my desire to someday own a little family farm. Makes me wish we had a longer growing season here in Colorado and a longer farmer's market. Reminds me of when we lived in France and would go to the outdoor market every week. Inspiring!

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a compilation of various stories behind sustainable family farms. I wouldn't buy it, but it made a nice library read. The reasons for CSAs are explained and the difficulty of being a farmer these days emphasized. Also, a few good looking recipes at the end.

[Tricia]

I am obsessed with food books...

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully designed book inside and out - even the paper feels good in my hands. Interviews and stories from small California farmers and food producers. The recipes at the end look great too.

[Jennifer Miera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Been there. Done that. This book wasn't anything remarkable. Of course, I've been reading every book I can get my hands on about eating locally, sustainability and the like...

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real folks working the land sharing their stories. Helps the reader understand the passion to farm. Great recipes shared by the farmers. good read!

[CFAITC]

Twelve California farmers that are farming locally and organically share their reasons for making this their way of life.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious recipes mixed with great information about local organic farms around the U.S. providing fresh fruits and vegetables.