Salt Spring Reads is an online blend of book review and book club sharing the stories of books with Salt Spring Island roots, and to discuss them with the community.

Andrea and David Spalding have had many adventures in their long lives together. They performed on stage, produced records, wrote books and traveled the world. Originally from England, they have called Pender home for many years. Perhaps one of their tastiest adventures, has been the creation of this gorgeous book. Like many Islanders, the Spaldings value wholesome, local food and a good glass of wine. They celebrate organically grown veggies and heritage fruits. They value farmers’ markets and small restaurants. So, together, they set off in search of the best the Gulf Islands have to offer.

Along the way, Dave and Andrea interviewed chefs and farmers, entrepreneurs and brewers. They visited hidden coffee roasters and chocolate makers, they sampled wares at bakeries and cheese makers. They photographed barns and fields and tables laden with the best foods the sea has to offer.

And they wrote.

They wrote appealing stories of the islands’ Japanese history, of seeds and salmon smokers, of oysters and bread ladies. Their photos and stories became a cross between a coffee table art book, a travelogue of the Gulf Islands and a cookbook full of appealing recipes.

The Spaldings have gathered and created recipes that reflect the variety and abundance of island food year round, throughout the seasons (hence the name of the book!) that can be enjoyed by locals, visitors and tourists, and carry the islanders' passion for food to distant places. Traditional and experimental recipes from the islands' chefs include Brie and Squash Pizza, Lavender and Lemon Roasted Saturna Lamb and a blackberry pie that won the blue ribbon at the Fall Fair. This book captures the flavours of the Gulf Islands for islanders and visitors alike, it is a book to own if you are an Islander or to give as a gift to anyone who wished he was an Islander.

Please note: Andrea Spalding’s recycled book art will be on display at the SSI Library, in the lobby display case, during the month of May.

Margriet Ruurs is a Salt Spring author with over 30 books published. Her latest title is A Brush Full of Colour, The World of Ted Harrison. Margriet’s books are available in local bookstores.

Have you read this book? Check it out from the Library. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments on this post.

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Harbour Publishing (Oct. 31 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1550175696
ISBN-13: 978-1550175691