From field to table, a journey of discovery into one of Veneto’s most iconic vegetables. With “Radicchio: A Celebration of the Beloved Italian Vegetable”, biodiversity meets food culture and the stories of those who grow it.
Some vegetables tell stories that go far beyond a season or a recipe. Radicchio is one of them. With its shades of red and white, unmistakable flavour and deep roots in Veneto’s traditions, it represents an agricultural and cultural heritage worth discovering and celebrating.
This remarkable vegetable is the subject of “Radicchio: A Celebration of the Beloved Italian Vegetable”, a book written by Lane Selman and Margarett Waterbury, with photographs by Shawn Linehan. The book now joins Smarties.bio Books, a collection dedicated to books that explore the world of seeds, agricultural biodiversity and food culture.
Much More Than a Cookbook
Through recipes, photographs and stories, the book explores radicchio’s deep connection with Italian cuisine, with a particular focus on Veneto, the region where this vegetable has become a symbol of identity and tradition.
Its pages bring together knowledge passed down through generations, agricultural experiences and culinary creativity, showcasing radicchio’s versatility and the many ways it can be brought to the table. But its value goes beyond recipes: talking about radicchio means talking about places, varieties, growing practices and the knowledge that connects those who grow food with those who cook it.
A Passion That Brings Regions and Expertise Together
For Smarties.bio, the inclusion of this book in the collection has a special significance. Its connection with radicchio is part of a broader effort to celebrate vegetable biodiversity and foster international exchange, bringing Italy’s heritage into dialogue with the American agricultural and gastronomic community.
Lane Selman, co-author of the book and founder of the Culinary Breeding Network, plays an important role in this exchange. The network promotes collaboration among farmers, plant breeders, researchers and chefs. The relationship with Smarties.bio has developed over time, including through Progetto Gusto Italiano, an initiative created to promote Italian vegetable varieties and introduce Italian radicchio to an international audience, encouraging the exchange of experiences and knowledge among those who work with seeds, those who grow crops and those who showcase these products in the kitchen.
This vision reflects the philosophy of Smarties.bio: biodiversity is not simply a heritage to be preserved, but a living treasure to be cultivated, shared and celebrated. Every variety carries a story shaped by its land, the work involved in growing it and the relationships it brings together.
Through Smarties.bio Books, we want to highlight books that tell these very stories, exploring the agricultural world from new perspectives and rediscovering the richness hidden behind the food we bring to our tables.
Radicchio has a story to tell. And now there’s a book to discover it.
Radicchio: A Celebration of the Beloved Italian Vegetable is a must-read for anyone who loves biodiversity, Italian cuisine and the stories that grow from the land.
The book will soon join the Smarties.bio Books collection. Stay tuned for all the latest news and don’t miss its release!