October 2025 Cookbook Reviews

 

The Modern Pioneer Pantry by Mary Bryant Shrader

This cookbook is all about preserving and building your Modern Pioneer Pantry. There are chapters about water bath canning, pressure canning, drying and dehydrating, fermentation, freezing, and pickling. There is a LOT of information and recipes here. This is definitely aimed at someone who is comfortable in the kitchen and knows how to can. The recipes look good and there are lots of tips on how to use the preserved food in a variety of ways. Overall, if you're looking to up your preserving game, check this cookbook out.

The Cook's Garden by Kevin West

This is half gardening guide and half cookbook. In The Cook's Garden Kevin West helps you plan out your garden, and then cook what you've grown. The first half about gardening goes over all the basics - soil, compost, sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings, planning out your garden, and harvesting. I really liked that he also included a glossary too for newer gardeners. In the second half with the vegetable recipes each chapter focuses on one vegetable or vegetable family. There is information about growing and harvesting that vegetable, then recipes using it. This is a wonderful book that combines both gardening and cooking. There are lots of great photos and plenty of helpful tips. Whether you're new to gardening or more seasoned, you can find inspiration in this unique cookbook.

Preserving the Seasons by Holly Capelle

Preserving the Seasons is exactly what the title implies - how to preserve produce at peak season to enjoy all year. The book is divided into three sections - saving the seasons (covers preserving methods), infusions (creating infused drinks, oils, vinegars, etc.), and serving the season (recipes using things you've preserved or fresh produce). There were LOTS of recipes I'd like to try. I also thought the author did a good job of explaining each type of preservation method in the first section. The recipes had good tips for substitutions or if using the fresh ingredient instead of preserved. Overall I am really impressed with this cookbook! Definitely one to check out if you're a gardener and looking for more ways to preserve your harvest and used those preserved goods.