The Vegetarian Table: Italy (Hardcover)

by Julia Della Croce (Author), Deborah Jones (Photographer) "TRUE ITALIAN COOKING CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC INGREDIENTS AND THE DISTINCTLY ITALIAN APPROACH TO PUTTING THEM TOGETHER..." (more)
Key Phrases: milled white pepper, salt freshly milled white, additional parmigiano, Basic Polenta, Great Northern (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The age-old pleasures of the Italian meal come vividly to life in this new vegetarian cookbook. Written by one of America's foremost experts on Italian food and illustrated with evocative color photos, this collection of over 75 versatile recipes celebrates the simple ingredients and delicious diversity of one of the world's most appealing culinary traditions.

About the Author
Julia della Croce Julia della Croce's culinary apprenticeship began in her mother's fine Italian home kitchen and continued during her many stays and travels in Italy. She is a freelance journalist whose articles have appeared in such publications as The L

Deborah Jones has won an International Association of Culinary Professionals award for her photography. Her images appear in many cookbooks, including Michael Chiarello's Casual Cooking (0-8118-3383-6), A Perfect Glass of Wine (0-8118-1295-2), and the Vege

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811804585
• ISBN-13: 978-0811804585
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,088,617 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tasteful no-meat Italian food treatments, January 24, 1999

By	[e-mail] (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

I have an affection for this book and found the Kirkus Reviews panning of it altogethr slanted. This is a book for lacto-poulo vegetarians and food lovers who prefer moderation in the intake of foods containing fat over grim abstinence from the delights of cheese, olive oil and egg dishes. Given that, I found della Croce's book augmented my library of Italian cookbooks, including the complete works of Marcella Hazan. While some of the recipes are familiar (Pasta e Fagioli, eggplant parmigiana, broccoli with lemon) many are original and delightful. The fettucine with walnut sauce, spaghettini with uncooked lemon and black olive sauce and the coucous with stewed vegetables and chick-peas, Sicilian-Arab style have become crowd-pleasing staples. The book is attractively illustrated, and Ms. della Croce is a warm, friendly guide. This book does not supplant the works of established guides to the Italian kitchen. But it will beguile both the newcomer and the veteran.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful collection of delicious recipes, December 29, 1999

By	William McMullen (California) - See all my reviews

This cookbook was given to me by a good friend, and what a find! Several of the recipes in the book, especially the wild mushroom risotto, have made it into our regular menu here at home. The recipes are fairly easy to prepare, and the flavor combinations are delightful. These kinds of recipes are a much better way to eat vegetarian than trying to mimic meat dishes (e.g. garden burgers, etc.) because they are essentially and naturally meat-free. I highly recommend this title.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Italian by Marriage, August 26, 2004

By	Colleen Cupido (Selma, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just got married and have been cooking Italian for the first time in my life.This book is everything an Italian cookbook should be and more. It is completly meat-free but doesn't skimp on flavor. I have many cookbooks but this one taught me how to make lump-free Polenta on my first try. The Pasta and Lentil soup was so delicious that my full-blooded Italian husband said it would be perfect for a Wedding Celebration. I've just now made the simple dish of carrots cooked in milk with Tarragon and my tastebuds went wild. The easy-to-make recipes are full of mouthwatering flavor combinations that make vegetables taste better than chocolate. Period.