Otter Farm: A Celebration of Flavour and Innovation

Winner of the André Simon Food Book of the Year Award in 2014, Otter Farm by Mark Diacono is a culinary and horticultural masterpiece that celebrates flavour and innovation. Set against the idyllic backdrop of a unique smallholding in Devon, the book captures the essence of Diacono’s vision: cultivating extraordinary produce to create exceptional dishes. Inspired by the taste of a perfectly ripe mulberry, he transformed Otter Farm into a haven of diverse, delicious, and often unexpected crops.

At Otter Farm, traditional vegetables like sprouting broccoli, asparagus, and chard grow alongside more exotic varieties such as quince and Chilean guava in the edible forest. The integration of livestock, with pigs and chickens roaming freely, further enhances this sustainable and flavour-focused ecosystem. The result is a farm that not only feeds the body but also inspires the soul.

The recipes featured in Otter Farm are as vibrant and inventive as the farm itself. From a warm salad of Padron peppers, cherries, and halloumi to a hearty stew of chicken, pork, and borlotti beans, each dish brims with the freshness of home-grown produce. Unique creations like curried squash and mussel soup, cucumber ice cream, quince doughnuts, and fennel toffee apples showcase Diacono’s flair for blending traditional British ingredients with exotic influences.

Beyond recipes, the book offers a glimpse into the seasonal rhythms of rural living. Diacono provides practical advice on growing a mix of familiar, unusual, and forgotten varieties, encouraging readers to experiment with flavours and cultivate their own patch of edible paradise.

The luminous photography beautifully captures the charm of life on Otter Farm, from the bustling kitchen to the lush fields. This ground-breaking book demonstrates that even the most exotic and exciting tastes can thrive in British soil, making it a must-read for food and gardening enthusiasts alike. Otter Farm is not just a cookbook; it is a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and the joy of growing and cooking with passion.

Product Details

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing; Illustrated edition (2014)

Language: English

Hardcover: 384 pages

ISBN-10: 1408828618

ISBN-13: 978-1408828618

Dimensions: 19.43 x 3.73 x 23.55 cm