In Winter We Ate Pears

Monday, 20 August 2012

In Winter We Ate Pears, A Year of Hunger and Love by Deirdre Heeken
 A Book Review


This spring we had the pleasure of traveling to Italy - somewhere I've always wanted to see. I wasn't disappointed - in fact I fell in love, with the country, the people, the history, the music and the food - ok I was already in love the food before I got there. Since coming home, I have been watching movies, and reading anything I can get my hands on about Italy. The latest book, In Winter We Ate Pears by
Deirdre Heeken - is both memoir and cookbook. The author and her husband traveled to Italy on their
honeymoon and stayed for one year. They traveled, and learned all they could about the food and culture - they too fell in love with a country and it's people.

A Vespa - Red of Course!

 On returning to the states, they opened a bakery which evolved into a restaurant, Osteria Pane e Salute in Woodstock, Vermont. They wanted to bring the flavors and more importantly the experiences

of Italy to their home town.  This book truly was like reading a love story - I fell in love the with

villages and food as I read it. The recipes,  (as is the book) are described by the seasons - I haven't tried any of them yet - but just reading them reminded me of meals I enjoyed in sidewalk cafes - it brought the smells and sounds of a country that I can't wait to get back to. If you can't afford a ticket to Italy right now - I suggest you read this book - it is the next best thing.

                                                                     

               

Amore in St. Mark's Square