Spirit of the Harvest: North American Indian Cooking [Hardcover]

Martin Jacobs (Author), Beverly Cox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1991

The reissued James Beard and IACP award winner Spirit of the Harvest brings authentic Native American recipes into the modern home kitchen. This carefully researched cookbook presents 150 recipes from across the United States, incorporating many indigenous ingredients and traditional dishes from the Cherokee, Chippewa, Navajo, Sioux, Mohegan, Iroquois, Comanche, Hopi, and many other North American tribes. Each chapter is introduced by an expert on the region and discusses the cultures of major tribal groups, their diets, their ceremonial use of food, and the historic dishes they developed. Spirit of the Harvest celebrates the many cooking traditions that have stood the test of time and are still very much alive today.

Praise for Spirit of the Harvest:

“Those readers who are unfamiliar with the amazing natural bounty of food that this country provides . . . are in for a real surprise.”
 —Spirituality and Health

“Most of us have scant knowledge about what might be called the original American cuisine. Beverly Cox and Martin Jacobs offer the book to right that wrong.”
 —Today’s Diet and Nutrition

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This handsome volume provides an impressive record of the tribal cooking of the North American Indians. The recipes, organized by region, have been adapted for contemporary kitchens but are as authentic as possible, emphasizing native ingredients over those introduced by the Europeans. The dishes themselves are generally simple, but varied and even exotic--Smoked Salmon Soup, Maple-Basted Broiled Bluefish, Cranberry Fritters. Cox's recipe headnotes are eminently readable mini-histories, filled with information on the various tribes, their histories, and their customs. Jacobs's color photographs of the food feature Indian artifacts, and the page borders and line drawings scattered throughout reproduce tribal motifs and designs. One of the few recent books on the subject, this is a unique work; highly recommended.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Beverly Cox is the author of several award-winning cookbooks, including Eating Cuban. She lives on her family’s homestead in Colorado.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Stewart Tabori & Chang (September 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556701861
• ISBN-13: 978-1556701863
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > Native American

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great marriage of Native American history and recipes., December 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Spirit of the Harvest: North American Indian Cooking (Hardcover)

The explanations of the ceremonies when certain dishes were prepared and eaten gave insights into how Native Americans lived and celebrated life. I was surprised how much history was involved in the dishes I grew up eating and had assumed were of early American or European origin. History books never mention that our early indigenous people were gourmands.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Recipes, Beautiful Photographs, January 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Spirit of the Harvest: North American Indian Cooking (Hardcover)

This is a "must have" cookbook if you'd like to prepare authentic Native American food. The ingredients are easy to find in any well stocked grocery store, and the recipes are not difficult. No "weird" ethnic foods here- just good meals made with what's available. The historical background for the foods of different tribes is an interesting read. The photographs and drawings are absolutely beautiful- those alone are good reasons to purchase this book!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST American cookbook yet!, August 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Spirit of the Harvest: North American Indian Cooking (Hardcover)

The photography is unbelievable and the recipes work! The book gives us a palatable way to enjoy the true native american way of cooking. I would highly reccomend this book to everyone that loves to experience the enjoyment of cooking new recepies and the even greater enjoyment of eating what they have re-created. A great book for all ages and ethnic backrounds. Good food and lots of it!