THE FIRST TIME Chris Bower tried amaro, he tasted something familiar. The complex, herbaceous flavors, made famous in Italy, reminded him of the folk remedies that he grew up making with his grandparents in rural Haywood County, North Carolina. In this part of Appalachia, wild local plants were prized as ways to reduce inflammation and ease respiratory illnesses, since other sources of medicine were often in short supply. "I'm all for modern medicine, but I don't see it as an either/or. It can be a both/and," says Bower. So when he was introduced to the world of amaro, he had a revelation. “I was like, 'Holy crap!' This is what we do, but they just add sugar, commercialize it, and celebrate it." Using the barks, roots, flowers, and stems of more than 70 local plants, Bower began distilling fernet (a bitter amaro) in his Asheville, North Carolina, home. Thanks to the time he'd spent harvesting with his family, Bower could quickly identify which plants were edible and flavorful. "That was the start," he says.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Food & Wine.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Food & Wine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Gilda Age - How to perfect the world's best bar snack at home
In the late 1940s, Rita Hayworth turned heads in Hollywood with her sultry, sharp-tongued, titular role in the movie Gilda. Hayworth's character also made a lasting impression further afield in Spain, at Casa Vallés bar in Donostia-San Sebastián, inspiring the creation of a pintxo-a tiny, toothpick-speared snack-that still bears her character's name today. The new pintxo was so popular that it was quickly adopted by other spots throughout the city. It is now Basque country's most iconic bar snack
Tasting Tasmania - Australia's stunning island state is home to stellar cool-climate wines, a vibrant dining scene, and the freshest air on earth.
Australia's stunning island state is home to stellar cool-climate wines, a vibrant dining scene, and the freshest air on earth.asmania smells fresh. Parks and wilderness cover 40% of the island, and much of the rest is farmland. Swept by the Roaring Forties-intense westerly winds that buffet the southern hemisphere- the atmospheric station at Cape Grim in the state's northwest corner regularly records the earth's most pristine air. Down here in Australia's southernmost state, not far from Antarctica, simply taking a breath is delicious. But that's not all that's delicious. Grapes retain mouthwatering acidity in the chilly, maritime climate of Tasmania (or Lutruwita, as it's called in palawa kani, the local Aboriginal language). Having loved Tolpuddle Vineyard's earthy Pinot Noirs, full of cranberry and orange-peel flavors, back in New York, I'd made a pilgrimage to the island for its wine.
Autumn Pairings - Our favorite sommeliers share their go-to dishes and wine pairings for when the weather starts to cool.
Our favorite sommeliers share their go-to dishes and wine pairings for when the weather starts to cool. Translating to "mashed eggplant," baingan bharta is a popular North Indian dish that combines grilled eggplant with ripe tomatoes, vibrant fresh ginger, and warm spices like cumin and cloves. Cut long, deep slits down each eggplant before grilling to help the centers steam and soften as the outside chars. Serve this smoky, spreadable dish warm or at room temperature with roti or naan.
Lowcountry Pickled Shrimp
Snappy pickled shrimp from North Carolina native Ben Barker are perfect for late-summer meals.
Beat the Heat!
What to pair with every type of spicy food
TAKE BACK SUNDAY
Chef Fermín Núñez's answer to the Sunday scaries? Porrón pours and paella for a crowd.
COOKING WITH GRAPES
GRILLED BRAISED, BAKED STEWED OR FROZEN THEY'RE SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A SNACK.
CITY THAT RICE BUILT
A hunger for rice laid Charleston's foundation. Could a love for the grainand the city that grew from it—be the way to a more unified future?
The California Wine Lover's Guide
55 bottles that will tell you everything about the past, present, and future of California wine
Beef Sukiyaki Pasta
In the hands of cookbook author Hiroko Shimbo, the flavors of beef sukiyaki become an easy weeknight meal.
