Bootstraps and Biscuits: 300 Wonderful Wild Food Recipes from the Hills of West Virginia [Paperback]

Anna Lee Robe-Terry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

In the hills of her family’s West Virginia farm, Anna Lee Robe-Terry explores and forages for wild food stuffs, which she turns into tasty down-home cooking. Bootstraps and Biscuits is a collection of her recipes, which are delicious, interesting, and easy-to-follow. With recipes ranging from the more common -- honey butter and wild strawberry shortcake -- to the more unusual -- Jerusalem artichoke salad, squirrel pot pie and dandelion wine -- this book is perfect for anyone wanting to make their cooking and eating more adventurous. And, as Terry points out, you’ll probably appreciate your meal all the more if you’ve gotten some fresh air while gathering the ingredients.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Set in the hills of West Virginia on her family lands, Anna Lee Robe-Terry forages for wild foods and describes their preparation and uses. In her own colorful language, Anna Lee shares a rural family heritage in a narrative generously laced with anecdotes about life in the mountains. The result is a rich compilation of hundreds of delicious recipes, the ingredients available and free for the picking. From paw-paw pudding to mincemeat pie using wild meat, a reader will find fulfillment for the soul, palate, and pocketbook. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 189 pages
• Publisher: Mcclain Printing Co (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870125877
• ISBN-13: 978-0870125874
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,999,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real West Virginia Wild Food and Game Cooking, November 30, 2002

By 

Christopher M. Summitt "Once a Ranger Always ... (Everett, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bootstraps and Biscuits: 300 Wonderful Wild Food Recipes from the Hills of West Virginia (Paperback)

Author Anna Lee Robe-Terry is a distant cousin of mine, who has written not just a book of recipes, but an evocation of the atmosphere of our northern West Virginia roots. Disabled by a chronic disease, she lost home, job and possessions until she moved onto the old Robe homestead in Marion County determined to survive. "If life gives you wild grapes, then make jelly" is her philosophy. She began investigating the wild plants that she had grown up with and educating herself in botany and the ways of the old settlers. Her recipes are wonderful just to read. I have tried the Snapping Turtle soup recipe myself and can recommend it as a definite change of pace from clam chowder. She also has a recipe for skunk (!) that resulted from a hilarious end to a hunting trip. I would recommend this book not only to people in the area, but those interested in its pioneer culture and folklore.

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate in "local food", September 15, 2007

By 

Deborah (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bootstraps and Biscuits: 300 Wonderful Wild Food Recipes from the Hills of West Virginia (Paperback)

I had such a good time reading this book! I even tried to find the author on the web, but with no luck. I'd love to meet her. The recipes look good, the lessons about finding food in natural environments are invaluable, and the stories are entertaining. Anna Lee Robe-Terry takes us into the woods of West Virginia through the seasons to find and prepare truly local foods. Anyone who is interested in local food really must read this. And anyone who isn't sure if we're losing anything of value with mountain-top removal processes to get coal should read this too -- to understand what a precious environment is being destroyed. Thank you, Anna Lee!