Sicilian Vegetarian Cooking: 99 More Recipes to Love [Paperback]

John Penza (Author), Miriam Dagenis (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sicilian Vegetarian Cooking offers an unexpected but appealing assortment of recipes. In a cookbook on Sicilian food, you might expect to find recipes for La Fritella, a spring vegetable stew; Sformata di Cavalfiore, an elegant cauliflower casserole; Arancini, little rice balls; and Cannoli. Also finding recipes for polenta, risotti, and gnocchi is a surprise. Penza justifies offering these decidedly non- Sicilian dishes by explaining that today, Sicilians eat them as well as enjoying their traditional, regional dishes. Vegetarians will appreciate new ideas Penza offers, such as Penne with White Beans and Mushrooms, Parsley Pesto with Almonds and Mint, a savory rice pie, and a well-flavored vegetable broth to use in other dishes. Vivid, hand-painted illustrations give this paperback a colorful mien.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898158680
• ISBN-13: 978-0898158687
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sicilian Cooking to Die For, April 10, 2000

By 

Janice Cracraft - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sicilian Vegetarian Cooking: 99 More Recipes to Love (Paperback)

John Penza out did himself. I bought this book when my husband was in the hospital after he had a heart attack. We both love anything Italian and I thought this would be worth a try. Wow! This is the book we leave on our cooking island. The recipes are simple yet full of flavor. I never knew "vegetarian" could be so good. We have tried about 50 of the recipes and everyone of them are great. We both cook and Doug loves to use this cookbook as much as I do. We love to sit down to a wonderful dinner with wine and candlelite in the evenings, after stressful work days, and 9 times out of 10 the recipes are from this wonderful book. The simple, flavorful tomato sauce has become a staple in our kitchen. I will certainly be on the lookout for more cookbooks by John Penza.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's the real thing, October 14, 2004

By 

Bob (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sicilian Vegetarian Cooking: 99 More Recipes to Love (Paperback)

My parents were Italian immigrants and while they were from a farming community about 75 miles south of Rome most of the recipes in this book are exactly what I remember being prepared by my mom, dad, aunts & uncles. They are truly authentic and the best to be found.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, September 7, 2003

By 

K. LaGreca (Rutherford, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sicilian Vegetarian Cooking: 99 More Recipes to Love (Paperback)

Easy, well-written, and most of all, Sicilian and vegetarian! What more can you ask for in a cook book? Goes into how to prepare basic items such as whole tomatoes, polenta, and other ingredients that are core to Sicilian cooking. Buon Appetite!