The Food of a Younger Land

Recommended by Chef José Andrés on The Drew Barrymore Show!. A portrait of American food--before the national highway system before chain restaurants and before frozen food when the nation's food was seasonal regional and traditional--from the lost WPA files.From the New York Times bestselling author who powerfully demonstrates the defining role food plays in history and culture (Atlanta Journal-Constitution). . In the throes of the Great Depression a make-work initiative for authors-called America Eats-was created by the WPA to chronicle the eating habits traditions and struggles of local Americans. Mark Kurlansky author of Salt and Cod unearths this forgotten literary treasure chronicling a bygone era when Americans had never heard of fast food or grocery superstores. Kurlansky brings together the WPA contributions-featuring New York automats and Georgia Coca-Cola parties Maine lobsters and Montana beaver tails-and brilliantly showcases them with authentic recipes anecdotes and photographs.