cover image United Tastes of America: An Atlas of Food Facts & Recipes from Every State!

United Tastes of America: An Atlas of Food Facts & Recipes from Every State!

Gabrielle Langholtz, illus. by Jenny Bowers, photos by D.L. Acken. Phaidon, $29.95 (240p) ISBN 978-0-7148-7862-1

This recipe book highlights regional specialties for the U.S. states and territories, providing one popular recipe for each place. North Dakota serves up smashed Jerusalem artichokes; buttermilk cornbread is standard fare in Tennessee. In Virginia, selections include country ham, corn oysters (or fritters), and a recipe for peanut soup, while Puerto Rico’s featured dish is ensalada de bacalao (salt cod salad). Place names introduced in chunky, 3-D typography, along with the matte collage images of food, bring a splashy, inviting energy to the spreads. Readers are certain to encounter dishes that they have never heard of; more surprisingly, they may not even recognize the dish from their own area. Langholtz provides a flavorful whirlwind tour. Ages 7–10. [em](May) [/em]