Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables

by Joshua McFadden
Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables cover
Good Books rating 3.94
Cookbooks / Food Writing
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Waterstones
Hardback • £32.00
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 6115
  • Added: 2025-11-01
  • Updated: 2025-11-05
  • ISBN: 9781579656317
  • Publisher: Artisan Books
  • Published: 2017-05-02
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Six Seasons is a celebrated cookbook that focuses on the evolving nature of vegetables throughout their growing seasons. Authored by Joshua McFadden, chef and owner of Ava Gene's in Portland, Oregon, the book is a testament to his culinary journey and appreciation for every part of the plant. McFadden's expertise shines through in 225 innovative recipes that highlight the peak flavors of vegetables at different stages of their growth, from raw to braised and stewed. The book is not just a collection of recipes but a guide to understanding the lifecycle of vegetables and how to cook them to perfection. /n/n Winner of the James Beard Award for Best Book in Vegetable-Focused Cooking, Six Seasons has been praised by numerous publications for its approachable yet sophisticated recipes. McFadden's background includes working at renowned New York City restaurants and managing the Four Season Farm in Maine, where he honed his skills in utilizing every part of the vegetable. The book is organized into chapters that follow the natural progression of the seasons, offering a unique perspective on how to prepare vegetables at their best. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned cook, Six Seasons is a valuable resource that will inspire you to explore the world of vegetable cooking.

Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-11-17
great 4.25

The book is praised for its seasonal organization and clear instructions, with many recipes being tried and enjoyed. The focus on in-season produce and unique vegetable recipes is particularly appreciated.

The book is highly regarded for its seasonal organization, which makes it easy to find recipes that use fresh, in-season produce. The instructions are clear, and the results have been consistently good. Many reviewers have tried and enjoyed the recipes, particularly those that focus on unique vegetables. The book is also appreciated for its inspiring and informative content, making it a great resource for those looking to explore new vegetable recipes. The photos are lovely and helpful, especially for more obscure dishes. Overall, the book is seen as a valuable addition to any cookbook collection, particularly for those interested in plant-based cooking.

Quick quotes

    The seasonal organization makes it easy to find recipes that use fresh, in-season produce.

    The photos are lovely and are especially helpful with some of the more obscure dishes.

    This is perfect for when you come home from the farmer's market with a new veggie and need some idea of how to prepare it.

rwszupzmsadbjqghhiwjxwntmpecjm.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-11-17
excellent 4.50

The reviewer was immediately drawn to 'Six Seasons' after reading positive reviews and found it to be an enduringly rewarding cookbook. They highlight the book's rich flavors and diverse recipes, noting that it's not strictly vegetarian despite its focus on vegetables.

The reviewer stumbled upon 'Six Seasons' after reading several glowing reviews in American publications. Intrigued, they decided to purchase the book and were not disappointed. The book's unique approach to vegetables, divided into six seasons including Early Summer, Midsummer, and Late Summer, offers a fresh perspective on cooking. The reviewer is particularly impressed by the book's flavorful recipes and the variety it offers. They mention that while the book is centered around vegetables, it is not strictly vegetarian, featuring some recipes that include meat or fish. The reviewer finds the book to be an expansive kitchen companion that they could cook from daily without tiring. They share a specific recipe, Spaghetti with Swiss Chard, Pine Nuts, Raisins, and Chiles, as an example of the book's appealing offerings.

Quick quotes

    Rarely has an impulse buy been so enduringly rewarding.

    Every page is packed with flavour.

    From this expansive kitchen companion, I’ve chosen you Spaghetti with Swiss Chard, Pine Nuts, Raisins, and Chiles.

uk.bookshop.org · Unknown · 2025-11-09
disappointing 2.00

The reviewer finds 'A Game of Thrones' disappointing, criticizing its overlong and repetitive writing, but acknowledges some interesting elements like the heart tree and a well-described surgical operation. The book's hype and manufactured feel detract from its potential.

The reviewer starts by noting the high expectations and hype surrounding 'A Game of Thrones,' which ultimately fall flat. The book's length and repetitive style make it a slog to read, with many passages feeling unnecessary or poorly written. Despite these issues, there are some standout moments, such as the description of a surgical operation and the intriguing concept of the heart tree. The reviewer appreciates the book's exploration of themes like sexuality and feminism, but overall, the negative aspects outweigh the positive. The manufactured feel of the series and the overuse of certain phrases and scenes detract from the reading experience. In the end, the book feels more like a collection of clichés and bad writing than a groundbreaking piece of fantasy literature.

Quick quotes

    The best books are those about which all previous impressions (if any) are dashed during the reading.

    It doesn't work. If we had been given earlier references to Will's knowledge of how to compare at a glance the relative sharpnesses of swords and razors, then we might forgive this sort of sloppiness.

    The reader is not stupid, and passages like these read like overkill.

www.northshire.com · 2025-11-03
fantastic 5.00

The book is praised for its creative and delicious recipes, making it a favorite among readers. It is noted for its unique approach to vegetable-focused cooking.

This cookbook is a favorite among readers, offering a unique approach to vegetable-focused cooking. The reviewer highlights the book's creative and delicious recipes, which are sure to inspire and delight. The book is praised for its emphasis on using fresh, seasonal ingredients, making it a valuable resource for both home cooks and professional chefs. The reviewer also appreciates the book's beautiful photography and well-written recipes, which make it a standout in the world of cookbooks.

Quick quotes

    This is my favorite cookbook of all time - not hyperbole, just a fact!

    McFadden breaks down his recipes into six seasons, which is a unique and helpful approach.

    The book is packed with beautiful photography and well-written recipes, making it a standout in the world of cookbooks.

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