Cornucopia

This richly illustrated volume of fruit and vegetable lore is filled with surprises, from its sumptuous engravings and colorful photographs to amusing and informative sidelights on the foods we enjoy every day. Both sweet and savory plants are described according to their culinary uses, with anecdotes about their history. Myths and legends from the Far East and ancient Rome take their place beside Impressionist still lifes and nostalgic folk-art seed packets. Humorous quotations and literary allusions enliven the text by Annie Lise Roberts, an accomplished cook and gardener who has included recipes for tempting dishes like melon sorbet, poires belle Hélène, pumpkin soup and Provençal aïoli. Elegant botanical drawings trace the discovery and cultivation of wild plants including the banana, pineapple and grapefruit, and historic engravings illustrate the gradual acceptance of foods imported to Europe from the New World. A feast for the eyes, *Cornucopia* ranges widely to gather a bountiful array of domestic and exotic food plants in a volume that will delight the weekend gardener, the gourmet and the natural-history enthusiast alike.