Henry Miller, Louis M. Martini, Robert Mondavi and Thomas Wolfe were fans. Before Alice Waters in Berkeley and Carlo Petrini in Italy, there was University of Washington English Literature professor Angelo Pellegrini in Seattle.
This week the city's papers, from the Weekly to the PI are featuring stories and podcasts on this maverick of the original slow food (seasonal, sustainable and locally grown) movement.
Pellegrini's 1948 book, The Unprejudiced Palate has just been republished by Random House, edited by Ruth Reichl, with an introduction by Mario Batali.
"When soulless minute steaks and quick casseroles were becoming the norm, The Unprejudiced Palate inspired a seismic culinary shift in how America eats. Written by a food-loving immigrant from Tuscany, this memoir-cum-cookbook articulates the Italian American vision of the good life: a backyard garden, a well-cooked meal shared with family and friends, and a passion for ingredients and cooking that nourish the body and the soul."
This is a Seattleite you should definitely know about...
In Babbo's Garden: Before Julia, before Alice, there was Seattle's Angelo Pellegrini
Rediscovering Pellegrini: His seminal book set the table for foodies
Interview: Brent Pellegrini, the son of Angelo Pellegrini, talks about his father on KUOW's The Beat (Tuesday August 23rd, 2005)
Hsiao-Ching Chou reads an excerpt from Angelo Pellegrini's "Unprejudiced Palate" in this week's podcast
A memorial plan for Pellegrini
Recipe: Dr. Pellegrini's ever-changing any-day minestrone
“In the City of Angelo Pellegrini…”
Books by Angelo Pellegrini:
The Unprejudiced Palate : Classic Thoughts on Food and the Good Life
Vintage Pellegrini: The Collected Wisdom of an American Buongustaio
SOLD OUT:"On Tues., Aug. 30, Serafina Country Italian Restaurant and Bar (2043 Eastlake Ave. E.) presents a tribute dinner to celebrate republication of Pellegrini's The Unprejudiced Palate. All proceeds will benefit the establishment of a Pellegrini memorial in Seattle. $125 per person. To make reservations for the dinner, call Serafina, 206-323-0807. For further information, contact the Kim Ricketts/Book Events office, 206-632-2419"
"A second dinner has been scheduled for Sept. 1 and is bound to sell out fast. Tickets ($125 per person) include dinner, wine and a copy of "The Unprejudiced Palate," with proceeds benefiting the Angelo Pellegrini Memorial. For reservations, call Serafina (2043 Eastlake Ave. E.) at 206-323-0807"
"For more information, or to get involved with the Pellegrini memorial, contact Jon Rowley at rowley@nwlink.com."
