Another Recommendation

This series of posts on favorite community cookbooks began with a feature on a brand new title. Today, I go in the opposite direction with a recommendation for a cookbook that is over 50 years old. You can be assured that a title with this longevity contains wonderful recipes and content. A "classic" earns the title as opposed to being simply touted as such. Gasparilla is a true classic.

From the first time I picked up a copy of  Gasparilla I was intrigued with it. I didn't know the history of the Gasparilla event at the time nor realized that the book was such an old title. Just think, this cookbook has thrived for longer than any current active Junior League of Tampa member has been alive. Why has it been so popular for so long?  How does a book stay in existence for 50 plus years? Read on for the answers.

The book is simple in format and size. While today's community cookbooks are illustrated with beautiful color photography this was not the trend in the early 1960's. It is illustrated with wonderful pen and ink drawings depicting such things as the University of Tampa's beautiful Plant Hall,  creating Cuban Sandwiches at Columbia Restaurant, and the Sponge Docks at Tarpon Springs.  Each chapter is charmingly written, with many wonderful anecdotes to illustrate a point about the culture of Tampa. Throughout the book the non-recipe copy is enjoyable and gives the reader a true sense of Tampa. As you read the book you can feel the love that went into its creation.

Amazingly, this book which has sold over 215,000 copies, debuted in 1961 and released a 50th Anniversary Edition in 2011, was only the fifth Junior League cookbook in the US. It's first printing of 7,800 copies sold out in just 3 months requiring a second order of 10,000 copies. The recipes, while not for the health conscious, are varied and tasty. For example, one of the most intriguing is the "Annie Laurie's Potato Salad for Greek Salad" on page 47. Yes, you read that right! The unusual title is what caught my attention. The dish is unique, simple and delicious.

While there are many other famous examples of great classic community cookbooks still around most are out of print. I highly recommend Gasparilla for its test of time and its well deserved reputation as "one of the best ever".

A Salad Had Me Sold on the Book

Occasionally a single recipe can motivate me to purchase a cookbook. In the case of Capture the Coast, Volume 4 in the Culinary Collection by the Junior League of Tampa, it was the combination of a lunch coupled with a discussion about the anniversary promotion of the League's older title, The Gasparilla Cookbook, that had me sold.

After we completed our meeting regarding ideas for the 50th anniversary edition of The Gasparilla Cookbook, which was released in October of 2011, a small group of Junior League of Tampa members invited me to the Columbia Restaurant for lunch. I had always wanted to try the  Columbia Restaurant because of its reputation but just never had the opportunity. The restaurant is a testament to why you should always go "where the locals eat". The  Columbia Restaurant features a dish entitled the "1905 Salad". When the ladies mentioned that this salad was featured in Capture The Coast, I decided to try it.

We now prepare and eat this salad 3-4 times a month at home. It is truly a special signature dish and yet readily available in this classic community cookbook. One of the reasons that community cookbooks have been so successful through the years is that they truly involve the entire community including local chefs and restaurants.

If you want to give yourself a treat try the "1905 Salad" (recipe can be found here on the Junior League of Tampa's blog) and then buy a copy of Capture the Coast to find out what other great surprises are included--you won't be disappointed.