Verdura

Verdura: Vegetables Italian Style By Viana La Place, Grub Street, 1991. Paperback. $25; 320 pages

A book well before its time, Verdura proposed 21 years ago the amazing idea that vegetables should become the center of the meal. It still offers inspiring takes on all things fresh. Vegetables are given the antipasti treatment, as well as turns in salads, soups, pastas, pizzas, frittatas, and more (including fruit-based desserts).

GIVE THIS TO: Produce lovers, market-goers. —Tiffany Vickers Davis